To serve an extraordinary increase in need for civil legal aid across the state, Legal Services Vermont (LSV) hired six new staff members recently. The new attorneys and paralegals help Vermonters tackle issues such as renting, eviction, public benefits, relief from abuse, and debt — often brought on by the COVID-19 crisis.
New staff members include: Paralegal Mark Hengstler of Colchester, who previously worked as an advocate at the Vermont Office of the Health Care Advocate; legal intern Rachel Jones of Burlington, a 2020 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law; Paralegal Meredith Mason of South Burlington, a 2020 graduate of American University; Attorney Bradley Showman of Winooski, who previously worked as a legal aid attorney with Legal Services of Northern California; Paralegal Renee Vigneau of Burlington, who previously worked as a paralegal at Barber & Waxman in Burlington and Attorney Ruthie Welch of White River Junction, who previously worked as an associate attorney at Cozen O’Connor’s Chicago office.
Legal Services Vermont is a nonprofit legal services law firm based in Burlington that annually serves thousands of Vermonters from all corners of the state. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation and donations, LSV is the partner organization to Vermont Legal Aid. For civil (not criminal) legal help, visit LSV’s legal help website at www.VTLawHelp.org or call 1-800-889-2047.