Legal Writing: 2035

Call for Proposals

Participants will be asked to imagine the promise—and peril—of the future of legal writing. What will legal writing look like ten years from now? How should legal writing professors pivot to address rapidly evolving developments in technology and society? Which core principles of legal writing should we preserve–and which should we abandon? Our keynote speakers, Professor Elizabeth Berenguer, Professor Lucy Jewel, and Professor Teri McMurtry-Chubb, will sharpen our focus on the future of legal writing by discussing their provocative, co-authored article, Gut Renovation: Using Critical and Comparative Rhetoric to Remodel How the Law Addresses Privilege and Power, 23 Harv. Latinx L. Rev. 205 (2020). Professors Berenguer, Jewel, and McMurtry-Chubb will lead a discussion on the implications and applications of their article following their presentation.

We are accepting presentation proposals on any topic related to the future of legal writing. Examples include A.I., cross-cultural competency, status in the academy, wellness, and the marriage of doctrine and writing. Let your imagination—and your passion for our discipline—be your guide. Proposals should include a 100–150-word description of the proposal, the presenter(s) name, school, and contact information. The proposals should indicate whether the presenter requests twenty-five or fifty minutes for the presentation. Finally, proposals should indicate the format of the presentation (lecture with Q&A, panel with multiple presenters, discussion group, etc.). Proposals are due by June 6.

The conference will take place on Friday, September 12, 2025, at Vermont Law and Graduate School. VLGS is located in South Royalton, Vermont, a village in the center of the state. September is a lovely time to be in Vermont: The days are warm, the air is fresh, and the colors are changing. Come join us for an energizing discussion about what comes next in legal writing.

Please contact gjohnson@vermontlaw.edu with any questions.

Conference Details

When: September 12, 2025

Where:
Vermont Law and Graduate School
164 Chelsea St.
South Royalton, VT 05068

Directions:
Visit our directions page here.
Please click here to visit our campus map. Yates Common Room, located in Debevoise Hall (#4 on the map), will be a central meeting place for the conference.

Hotel Accommodations

There are several hotel accommodations near Vermont Law and Graduate School in South Royalton, providing convenient options for visitors. Below is a list of hotels near campus:

Local Accommodations

BETHEL
Apple Branch Guest House
Vermont Rout 14
Bethel, VT
802-763-7615
https://www.airbnb.com/

WASHINGTON/strong>
Vermont Grand View Farm
1638 Scales Hill Road
Washington, VT
802-778-0492
https://www.grandviewfarmvt.com/

BARNARD
The Fan House
6297 VT Rout 12
Barnard, VT
802-234-6704
https://www.thefanhouse.com/

Twin Farms
452 Royalton Turnpike
Barnard, VT 802-234-9999
https://www.twinfarms.com/

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION
White River Inn & Suits
91 Ballardvale Drive
White River Junction, VT
802-295-3015
http://www.whiteriverinnandsuites.com/

Holiday Inn Express
121 Ballardville Drive
White River Junction, VT
802-299-2700
https://www.ihg.com/

Hampton by Hilton
104 Ballardvale Drive, White River Junction, VT
802-296-2800
https://www.hilton.com

The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm
1119 Quechee Main Street, Quechee, VT
802-295-3133
https://www.quecheeinn.com/

Inn at Clearwater Pond
984 Quechee-Hartland Road
Quechee, VT
802-296-0606
https://innatclearwaterpond.com/

The Norwich Inn
325 Main Street, Norwich, VT
802-649-1143
https://www.norwichinn.com

WOODSTOCK
Blue Horse Inn
3 Church Street
Woodstock, VT
802-457-9999
https://www.thebluehorseinn.com/

Deer Brook Inn
4548 W. Woodstock Road
Woodstock, VT
802-672-3713
https://deerbrookinn.com/

Jackson House Inn
43 Senior Lane
Woodstock, VT
802-457-2065
https://jacksonhouse.com/

Lincoln Inn at the Covered Bridge
2709  W. Woodstock Road
Woodstock, VT
802-457-7052
https://lincolninn.com/

The Shire
46 Pleasant Street
Woodstock, VT
802-457-2211
https://shirewoodstock.com/

The Village Inn of Woodstock
41 Pleasant Street
Woodstock, VT
802-457-1255
https://villageinnofwoodstock.com/

Woodbridge Inn
5763 W. Woodstock Road
Woodstock, VT
802-396-0077
https://woodbridgeinnvt.com/

LEBANON
Hilton Garden Inn
35 Labombard Road, Lebanon NH
1-877-STAYHGI
https://www.hilton.com

Courtyard by Marriott
10 Morgan Drive, Lebanon, NH
1-603-643-5600
https://www.marriott.com

HANOVER
The Hanover Inn
2 East Wheelock Street
Hanover, NH
603-643-4300
https://www.hanoverinn.com/

Six South
6 E. South Street
Hanover, NH
603-643-0600
https://sixsouth.com/

Common Questions of Campus Visitors

Below are a list of answers to the common questions that we get from people who visit our campus.

Common Questions

We’ve gathered some frequently asked questions and answers to help you plan a great stay in Vermont. Please feel free to be in touch with our Legal Writing Conference Coordinator, Claire Andrews with any questions. She’ll be glad to answer them for you! Email candrews@vermontlaw.edu.

Where should I park?
Guests can park in VLGS parking lots located on the north and south ends of campus, just past the bridge when coming into town. Please click here to visit our campus map.

A member of my party has mobility impairments. What special accommodations are there?
Accessible parking for the conference is available on South Windsor Street, right next to the tent and adjacent to the Red Door Church. There is also a place on the same side of the Green to drop off and pick up. Please click here to visit our campus map.

Will my cell phone work in South Royalton?
Wireless Internet access is available for guests of Vermont Law and Graduate School in the Chase Center and the Cornell Library. Wireless Internet is also available at several area businesses, including Barrister’s Book Shop.

How do I get to Vermont Law and Graduate School? Visit our directions page here.

About Vermont Law and Graduate School

Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) is a private graduate institution located in South Royalton, Vermont, renowned for its focus on environmental law, policy, and social justice. Established in 1972, it offers a range of programs, including Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Public Policy (MPP), and advanced graduate degrees. VLGS is known for its strong commitment to sustainability and public service, providing students with hands-on learning experiences through clinics, externships, and research projects. The school is also recognized for its close-knit community. The institution’s scenic location in Vermont adds to its appeal, offering a peaceful and inspiring environment for rigorous academic work.

Learn more about South Royalton and Vermont by clicking here.