The next few weeks are the most crucial for our clients and our practices. The upcoming election has repercussions that will affect us all for years to come. No matter whom you vote for, it’s imperative that all citizens have unfettered access to cast their ballots and have them counted. As AAJ President, getting out the vote is a major initiative for me and the association between now and November 3.

The next few weeks are the most crucial for our clients and our practices. The upcoming election has repercussions that will affect us all for years to come. No matter whom you vote for, it’s imperative that all citizens have unfettered access to cast their ballots and have them counted. As AAJ President, getting out the vote is a major initiative for me and the association between now and November 3.

Three opinions issued on August 14.

1. “Live” CLE requirement waived for lawyers who report in 2020.
2. Option to request dee deferral for lawyers who report in 2020
3. Effective July 1, 2020: 24 hours for CLE credit per cycle, including: 

• 2 in ethics
• 1 in diversity and inclusion
• 1 in wellness

Contact: Andy Strauss, Licensing Counsel  Andrew.Strauss@Vermont.gov

One decision yesterday. 

This case deals with access to Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) files. Mr. Wool is an involuntary guest at the Chateau de Vermont aka “The Big House.” He filed a “disciplinary complaint against a psychologist, alleging that the psychologist had falsified certain scores in a risk assessment and that these scores force him to ‘max out’ his sentence and serve fourteen additional years of incarceration.” While that investigation was open, Mr. Wool wrote to OPR, requesting a copy of whatever records the psychologist had filed with OPR to help support Mr. Wool’s complaint. OPR responded that the case was under investigation and denied the request. So, Mr. Wool filed a writ of mandamus in the superior court, civil division, seeking an order to disclose these records—the psychologist’s filings—to him. The trial court dismissed on grounds that Mr. Wool lacked standing and had failed to state a claim on which relief could be granted. SCOV concludes that while Mr. Wool does have standing, he has no substantive constitutional right to the psychologist’s OPR filings. Accordingly, the trial court was okay dismissing the writ. Wool v. Office of Professional Regulation, 2020 VT 44.  

AAJ stands resolute against police misconduct, brutality, and systemic racism. Recent tragic and senseless deaths have us feeling sadness, pain, and outrage as we mourn for the Floyd family and the countless others who have suffered.

I am proud that AAJ members Ben Crump and Tony Romanucci are leading the fight for the Floyd family, along with other AAJ members on their trial teams. Ben and Tony will join us on June 16 for a complimentary AAJ Education webinar on representing victims and their families in police misconduct cases. To register, please call AAJ Education at (800) 622-1791 or email education@justice.org. For more information, visit justice.org/PoliceMisconductWebinar.