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Board of Trustees

Vermont Legal Aid is guided by an outstanding and diverse board of trustees with a strong commitment to expanding fairness and justice in the civil legal system.

Our board members include former clients, community and business leaders, and members of the private bar, as well as a staff representative. The VLA board members are:

  • Jared Carter, Esq., Attorney Trustee
  • Desiree Hawkins, Client Trustee
  • Chace Jennings, Client Trustee
  • Jill Martin Diaz, Esq., Attorney Trustee, Vice President
  • Jessica A. Oski, Esq., Attorney Trustee, Secretary
  • Thea Schwartz, Attorney Trustee
  • Olivia Smith-Hammond, Client Trustee, Treasurer
  • Bessie Weiss, Esq., Attorney Trustee, President
  • Dinah Yessne, Esq., Community Trustee
  • Chris Merkle, Esq., Staff Representative

Board meetings are open to the public

The next meetings are:

  • Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 4:30 - 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 4:30 - 7 p.m.

For information about how to attend the next meeting, please call (802) 863-5620 and ask for the executive assistant.

Agendas and minutes from previous meetings are available on request. To request minutes, please call (802) 863-5620 and ask for the executive assistant.