Vermont

Vermont is a New England state is bordered by Lake Champlain which covers half the state’s border it shares with New York, and the Green Mountains which run north-south, throughout the entire length of the state. Of the 50 states, it is the second smallest by population, and sixth smallest by land area. Montpelier is the smallest of the 50 US-state capitals, and the state’s largest city is Burlington.

Vermont was among the first states to approve women’s suffrage, several years before it became a part of the national constitution. Women were first allowed to vote in the state in the 1880 election. Vermont was also the first state to introduce civil unions in 2000. It was the first state to legislate same-sex marriage in 2009, and in 2018 it became the first state to legalize use of cannabis for recreational purposes.

Vermont’s economy is strongly driven by federal and state government positions/work. Real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, retail trade, finance, insurance, and construction are also prominent industries contributing to the state’s economy. Tourism is also an extremely component which contributes to the state’s economy. The state has some of the largest ski resorts in New England, and sites including Stowe, Lake Champlain, Burlington, and the Coolidge Homestead are among some of the popular state attractions tourists visit annually.

The state government in Vermont is roughly modeled after the federal government, with political power divided between and executive, a legislative and a judicial branch.  The state’s constitution, adopted in 1793, includes the Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants of the State of Vermont, which was one of the most extensive guarantees of rights and civil liberties at its time of adoption.  Ahead of the Bill of Rights by over a decade, this constitution prohibited slavery and indentured servitude, and allowed for universal male sufferage, with no property ownership requirement.

The executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws of Vermont.  The Governor is the supreme executive, and his or her offices are in the Pavillion in the capital city of Montpelier.  Additional state agencies comprise the executive branch.

The legislative branch, like many state legislative bodies, is a bicameral institution with an upper house, the Senate, and a lower house, the House of Representatives.  The legislature meets in the Vermont State House, with 30 Senators and 150 Representatives.

The judicial branch in Vermont includes the Vermont Supreme Court, which is the sole appellate court in the state.  The Supreme Court has five justices who serve six year terms.  The Vermont Superior Court, which provides jury trials in civil and criminal cases, with general jurisdiction.  Additional courts include:

 

Vermont is part of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

The National Law Review covers several stories and the latest news as it pertains to the state of Vermont. Coverage including labor/employment topics like Ban the Box Legislation, net neutrality laws and cybersecurity, non-compete agreements, marijuana legalization and implications for employers, and federal and state agency news and litigation, are among the areas which visitors can read about as it relates to the state.

Custom text Title Organization
Oct
1
2014
States Have the Right to Protect Businesses Against Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs) McDermott Will & Emery
Sep
12
2014
Cap Gap Expiration Approaching: Some Employees' Work Authorization May End on October 1, 2014 Mintz
Aug
18
2014
The Food Fight Continues: Vermont AG Seeks to Dismiss Lawsuit Against GMO Labeling Law Mintz
Aug
17
2014
EPA Announces $11 Million in Supplemental Funds to Clean up and Redevelop Contaminated Brownfields Sites Across the Country U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Aug
8
2014
Cybersecurity: Litigation, Crime & Enforcement - Significant Case Developments Faegre Drinker
Jul
31
2014
Energy Technology Connections - July 2014 Mintz
Jul
30
2014
New Version of USA Freedom Act Introduced Covington & Burling LLP
Jul
29
2014
The Vermont Department of Taxes Begins to Take a Close Look at Cloud Computing McDermott Will & Emery
Jun
20
2014
Milk Processors Soured After Federal District Court Rules They Must Face Monopsonization Claims at Trial Mintz
Jun
18
2014
Grocery Manufacturers File Suit Against Vermont Over Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Law Mintz
Jun
6
2014
Update: Vermont Legislature Passes Toxic Chemicals Bill Mintz
May
8
2014
Vermont Senate OKs Chemicals Bill Mintz
May
2
2014
Flextime Consideration Is Now Law In Some Places Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Apr
22
2014
Vermont Goes GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) Alone Mintz
Dec
15
2013
Arizona State Minimum Wage Increases Effective January 1, 2014 Jackson Lewis P.C.
Jan
2
2013
Federal Circuit Rules It’s Own Standards Apply When Considering Preliminary Injunctions McDermott Will & Emery
Oct
31
2012
EPA Approves Temporary Fuel Waivers to Assist States Impacted by Hurricane Sandy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Jul
2
2012
Energy and Environment Law Update - July 2, 2012 Mintz
Jun
4
2012
The State of Open Records Laws: Access Denied Center for Public Integrity
Jun
2
2012
Vermont Updates Data Breach Notification Law Mintz
May
8
2012
Energy and Environment Law Update - May 7, 2012 Mintz
Oct
31
2011
Under The Radar--The Supreme Court, Commercial Speech and the First Amendment Ober | Kaler
Jul
14
2011
Supreme Court Strikes Vermont Data Mining Law and Protects Pharmaceutical Marketing Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Jun
1
2009
Wyeth v. Levine: Where Do We Go From Here?
May
20
2009
New Jersey Product Liability Jurisprudence: Highlights of 2008 and Anticipated Developments in 2009
 

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