With 2026 quickly approaching, we’re taking a moment to celebrate highlights from another impactful year at Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS).
This past summer, two outstanding alumni—Jerry Edwards JD’05 and Lou Helmuth JD’84—were recognized for their career accomplishments and continued support of Vermont Law and Graduate School. The 2025 Alumni Awards were presented at a special ceremony during the school’s annual Alumni Weekend, which was held June 27–29.
The Honorable Jerry Edwards JD’05 Honored with 2025 VLGSAA Distinguished Alumni Award
Selected by the Vermont Law and Graduate School Alumni Association (VLGSAA) Board of Directors, this award is presented annually to a VLGS graduate who has achieved distinction in their professional or personal endeavors. Honorees exemplify VLGS’s core values of community, diversity, service, ethics, and justice—and through their work, bring honor and visibility to the school.
Judge Jerry Edwards, Jr., JD’05 was appointed in 2023 as the first African American United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. Prior to his appointment, he served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Civil Division at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Earlier in his career, he clerked for the First Judicial District Court and practiced civil litigation at Blanchard, Walker, O’Quin & Roberts.
Lou Helmuth JD’84 Presented with 2025 Alumni Service Award
The Alumni Service Award honors volunteer service to Vermont Law and Graduate School, with a focus on active involvement in alumni or school affairs and ongoing support of class, interest group, or other alumni organizations.
Lou Helmuth JD’84 has been a dedicated VLGS volunteer for over four decades, supporting admissions, development, continuing legal education (CLE) programming, and class committee efforts. A former Vermont Law Review and moot court member, he continues to mentor students and alumni. His national legal impact—most notably in Held v. Montana, the first constitutional climate trial in the U.S.—and ongoing local public service reflect his deep commitment to the VLGS mission. Now retired, Lou served as deputy director of Our Children’s Trust.
For more information about the awards and the recipients, please click here.