So, like, this commentary is by Hannah King of Burlington. She’s the big boss at the Vermont Bar Foundation and a former Burlington city councilor. When we chat about access to justice, we’re really talking about something super important to democracy: the whole idea that everyone, no matter how much money they have or what their situation is, should totally be able to get what they deserve under the law. The Vermont Bar Foundation, where Hannah works, gives money to legal services that make this happen for tons of folks in Vermont every year. And get this, new data from Vermont Law and Graduate School is like, whoa, mind-blowing. It shows that investing in these legal clinics doesn’t just make a big impact — it’s seriously life-changing.
The latest report from VLGS on the economic impact of its pro bono legal clinics is like, amazing. It shows that Vermonters can be proud of over $15 million in benefits for Vermont thanks to just $1.36 million in budgets. That’s, like, $11 back for every $1 spent, all by giving free legal services to those who need it most. These clinics aren’t just there for show, they’re legit lifesavers.
VLGS isn’t just a place for legal education, it’s like a superhero in Vermont’s justice world. By getting students into real legal clinics, VLGS is not only training future lawyers with real skills but also directly helping Vermonters in tough spots. It’s all about public interest law and community impact, setting a national example all while reflecting Vermont’s values of fairness, equity, and innovation. Investing in VLGS means investing in a group of legal pros who are all about justice, sustainability, and rural advocacy — things that totally define Vermont and its future.
In South Royalton, legal advocates have been supporting over 700 veterans since 2014, helping 200 families each year — including survivors of domestic violence and kids — and making an impact of over $6.3 million. The Small Business Law Clinic, working with Vermont Legal Aid and the Vermont Bar Association, has supported nearly 300 small businesses, many of them recovering from terrible floods, creating over $3.1 million in economic benefits. Clinics focused on food justice, immigration, environmental health, and renewable energy are like, changing lives and making communities stronger in every corner of Vermont. This work wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of donors and the smart thinking of our partners, including the Vermont Supreme Court, who did the original study that all this amazing work is based on.
As the big boss at the Vermont Bar Foundation, Hannah sees every day how these efforts are making a real difference — helping families stay strong, giving small business owners a leg up, protecting vulnerable groups, and teaching the next wave of legal pros to lead with heart and purpose. Legal aid isn’t just about being nice, it’s like the backbone of everything. It’s about public safety, economic growth, and, most importantly, justice. At a time when we’re not really sure about a lot of things, having Vermont’s back when it comes to legal access is more than just the right thing to do — it’s like a turbo boost for the economy. Let’s keep on funding it, making it bigger, and throwing a party to celebrate it.
