Trial lawyers are a fundamental part of the judicial branch of government and the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association exists to improve and promote the quality of jurisprudence in the State of Vermont.

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American jurisprudence has always depended on an active, informed and forceful trial bar to protect the rights and interests of its clients, whoever they may be.  The Bill of Rights, through the Sixth and Seventh Amendments to the Constitution, sanctified those rights in 1791:

 

Amendment VI: Rights to fair trial

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed; which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

 

Amendment VII: Rights in civil case

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

 

Trial lawyers in every state have continued the heritage bestowed by our founding fathers since 1791.  Famous trial lawyers like John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, Clarence Darrow, Thurgood Marshall as well as the many thousands of others who have come after them uphold this heritage.

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The organization's activities specifically consist of presenting public discussion groups, forums, panels, lectures, or other similar programs.