Below is a selection of recent news highlights featuring members of Vermont Law and Graduate School’s faculty and staff.
Experts Say It Won’t Be Easy for Trump to Roll Back Appliance Efficiency Standards
February 9, 2025
CNET
Appliance energy efficiency standards, which studies say have saved Americans hundreds of dollars a year, are at some risk of being weakened by the Trump administration. Jenny Carter JD’86/MSL’87, professor in the Institute for Energy and the Environment, gives her thoughts.
What Impact Do Trump Executive Orders Have on Vermont Laws?
February 10, 2025
WCAX
Jared Carter JD’09, professor of law, comments on the future of state laws in the wake of the Trump administration’s series of executive orders.
Lawmakers Try to Address Limitations of Vermont’s Hate Crime Law
February 11, 2025
Vermont Public
Vermont Lawmakers are working to address gaps in the state’s hate crime law, focusing on how it can better protect marginalized groups. However, there is hesitation from some, who believe the new language used may clash with First Amendment protections. Rodney Smolla, constitutional lawyer and president of Vermont Law and Graduate School, thinks otherwise.
NASW VT’s Social Work and Politics with Stephen Pimpare
February 12, 2025
National Association of Social Workers
Stephen Pimpare, director of the Master of Public Policy program, joins Vermont’s chapter of the National Association of Social Workers to reflect on the first month of the second Trump administration, its policy changes, and the impact on American social workers.
A ‘Recipe for Extinction’: Can the US’s Envied Nature Protections Survive Trump and His ‘God Squad’?
February 13, 2025
The Guardian
As the future of environmental protections remains concerning under this Trump presidency, Patrick Parenteau, emeritus professor of law and senior fellow for climate policy, weighs in on the outlook for the Endangered Species Act.
Advocates Describe ‘Hallmarks of a Shift’ in Immigrant Detentions in Vermont
February 14, 2025
VT Digger
Attorneys and advocacy organizations are observing changes in immigrant detention practices, noting a shift from local to federal enforcement and increased detention durations. Brett Stokes, director of the Center for Justice Reform Clinic, which represents many of the noncitizens arrested by federal agents in Vermont, comments on the increase in immigration enforcement activity since Inauguration Day.
Tunbridge Town Offices are Going Solar in 2025
February 19, 2025
ABC22/FOX44 (via MyChamplainValley.com)
Kirt Mayland LLM’05, visiting professor in the Institute for Energy and the Environment, commented on the town of Tunbridge’s receipt of a grant from the Vermont Municipal Energy Resilience Program, which will fund a move toward solar power to run its town hall and offices. Professor Mayland and several student clinicians provided legal and policy assistance for the grant and will help oversee energy efficiency improvements and the development and construction of the solar array.
How to Choose a Bar Prep Course
February 20, 2025
The National Jurist
Beth McCormack, dean of the law school, shares her thoughts on how best to prepare for the bar exam, including encouraging students to lean on family and friends for support and to draw from their own successful experiences as lifelong students.
How a Group of Immigrant Farmworkers is Preparing for Avian Flu to Hit New York Dairy Farms
February 20, 2025
Sentient Media
Delcianna Winders, director of the Animal Law and Policy Institute, is quoted about the rising risk of H5N1 spreading from farmworkers to their communities as fears of avian flu in this country continue and the immigrant workforce faces increasing attacks on their rights.