State of Vermont Judiciary

112 Hawthone Lane
Colchester, VT 05446
                                                                                                                                                                           

I appreciate the unique challenges facing Vermont in promoting both environment and development, and try to help parties deal with conflict productively and efficiently.  In 5 years I have successfully mediated many different kinds of disputes, and am a member of the Vermont Mediators Association and the (national) Association of Conflict Resolution.

Unsworth & Barra PLC
P.O. Box 123
26 Railroad Ave.
Essex Junction, VT 05453-0123

David Barra has a statewide practice focusing on municipal and zoning issues.  Mr. Barra represents individuals and municipalities in a wide variety of matters before the Environmental Court.  He is also an experienced mediator and has received intensive training in conflict resolution.

P.O. Box 467
St. Albans, VT  05478

Currently, I am the Franklin County Probate Judge.  Prior to my election, I was involved in the general practice of law in St. Albans, from 1972 to 2007.  From 1977 through 2006, I was the chair of the District 6 Environmental Commission, a member or alternate member of the Vermont Environmental Board, or a member of the Vermont Water Resources Board.  My practice principally involved real estate and probate work.  I have represented parties and municipalities in the Superior and Environmental Courts regarding municipal/zoning permits.

Hoff Curtis
P.O. Box 1124
100 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05402              

I have served as a mediator on a regular basis since the initiation of the U.S. District Court's Early Neutral Evaluation Program in 1994.  I have mediated a broad range of disputes including environmental cases.  A more complete description of my background is available on the web at http://www.hoffcurtis.com/attys/php?xid=2.

42 Greenhill Parkway
Brattleboro, VT  05301              

Tom Franks has experience in private, non-profit, and governmental organizations.  He has a Master of Science in Environmental Management and Policy from Rensellaer Polytechnic Institute.  His accomplishments include creation of the Bennington Small Claims Mediation Project, and design & teaching of a graduate seminar on mediation and management of environmental disputes.  

Empatia Resolutions
132 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Montpelier, VT  05602             

A former prosecutor, litigator and general counsel to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Emily Gould has a mediation and facilitation practice in Montpelier. Her practice includes land use and agricultural issues as well as family and educational matters. Gould chairs the Alternative Dispute Resolution committee of the Vermont Bar Association.

33 Kirby Road
S. Burlington, VT 05403        

I am presently the director of the Small Claims Mediation Program in Superior Court, Burlington, where disputes are varied.  I also work as a United States Postal Service Mediator regarding workplace conflict.  Being on the state roster for Mobile Home Parks, I have worked with large groups of property owners.

Barry Lawson Associates
P.O. Box 26
Peacham, VT 05862                

Specializes in environmental, intergovernmental and real estate dispute resolution. Cases include negotiated rule-making and settlement of zoning issues. With a solid land use planning and natural resource background, he moderates hearings on controversial topics and facilitates strategy development throughout the country. Chaired a town planning commission for ten years.

Winterbrook Farm
1342 Woodward Road
Concord, VT  05824                  

Training includes basic mediation training by Woodbury College and victim offender/family group conferencing by Woodbury; Arthur O'Dea Mediation Workshop.  Experience has been primarily through the Community Justice Center in St. Johnsbury.

Woodstock Institute for Negotiation
Pomfret Stage Road
Drawer 29
Woodstock, VT 05091-0029

Bob O'Donnell, Director of the Woodstock Institute for Negotiation, is a now non-practicing attorney with 20 years of experience in local and state development permits.  He is a nationally known trainer of negotiation, collaboration and mediation.  He uses the Collaborative WIN Process which improves relationships for a satisfactory true resolution.

MarksPowers LLP
1205 Three Mile Bridge Road
Middlebury, VT 05753

Attorney/Mediator.  Attorney 30 years.  Representation of businesses, towns, developers and individuals in Environmental Court, Act 250, Environmental Board, Water Resources Board.  Mediator ten years; training in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts.  Vermont Mediators' Association, Association for Conflict Resolution.  Mediation of real estate, commercial and permit disputes in all courts.  For more information, see www.markspowers.com.  

67 Terrace Street, #2
Montpelier, VT 05602               

Director of the Dispute Resolution Center at Woodbury College.  Ten years' experience mediating in Vermont.  Have mediated more than 25 cases in Environmental Court.  Also contracted to mediate with Vermont Family Court, Vermont Human Rights Commission, and more.

397 Elm Street
Montpelier, VT 05602            

I have been a mediator since 1982.  I worked at the Vermont Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs for 11 years, in the Planning Division and as the Dept.'s lawyer, I became familiar with municipal planning, zoning, Act 250, Environmental Board and Water Resources Board issues and procedures.  I have taken training in environmental, large-group conflict, multi-party land use/environmental mediation.

Green Mountain Environmental
Resolutions, LLC.
177 Paddy Hill Road
Moretown, VT  05660                  

Matt Strassberg has over 20 years experience in environmental law and mediation. He is the founding director of Green Mountain Environmental Resolutions. He also directs the Environmental Mediation Center, a non-profit organization that conducts mediation screening on environmental conflicts. Prior to GMER and the EMC, he worked for the USEPA and The Vt. Env. Board where he wrote Act 250 appellate decisions. For further info, go to www.gmer.org or www.emcenter.org.  

P.O. Box 123
Hyde Park, VT  05655

In addition to mediation skill, I have 30 Years experience working as an Act 250 Coordinator and the Executive Officer of the Water Resources Board.  I am knowledgeable about the law, including the related regulations for Act 250, most ANR permit programs and municipal zoning.  I have a track record of being able to resolve or at least narrow most disputes in which I have offered my services.  My full resume is available upon request.

Senior Planner
Lakeside Environmental Group
P.O. Box 4081
Burlington, VT  05406

As a trained mediator and land use planner, Tony helps parties reach voluntary settlement of environmental disputes.  He brings to the table 25 years of experience with Act 250, planning, and zoning, to help all sides search for a realistic, lasting agreement.  Please call or email for fees and ground rules.

P.O. Box 1200
Stowe, VT  05672

I have over 30 years experience involving environmental issues as well as permits.  I am very familiar with zoning and planning on a municipal level and Act 250 on a State level.  I have represented both developers and interested parties opposed to development.

P.O. Box 2003
Londonderry, VT 05155 

Mike Bernhardt has 10 years of service on the Dist. 2 Environmental Commission, the last 4 years as Chair, & has also served as a local Zoning Administrator. He was appointed by the Governor to facilitate a year long, statewide collaborative, bringing together a disparate group of stake holders to reach unanimous report to develop statewide policy. He serves as a State Appraiser, hearing officer, listening to & deciding on Property Tax Appeals. A long career in private business & public service gives him a broad perspective on developing consensus & conflict resolution.

P.O Box 51
Cambridge, VT 05444

Ms. Plante is a professional mediator, facilitator and trainer in private practice. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Management and a Professional Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Management. She specializes in identifying and transforming conflict communication issues and uses her management experience and dispute resolution skills to assist a broad spectrum of individuals, businesses and organizations in finding opportunity in conflict as their organizations evolve.