United States District Court for the District of Vermont

United States District Court for the District of Vermont is the federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the entire state of Vermont. It is part of the Second Circuit, except for patent claims and certain claims against the U.S. government, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit. The court holds proceedings in Burlington, Rutland, and Brattleboro.

History

The court was established by the Judiciary Act of 1789, but it only became operational upon Vermont's admission to the Union on March 4, 1791. Its first session was held in Windsor in March 1792, presided over by District Judge Nathaniel Chipman. For much of its early history, the court was a circuit court, with justices like William Paterson and Bushrod Washington riding circuit. The court was a single-judge district until 1966, when Congress authorized a second judgeship. Notable early cases involved land disputes following the New Hampshire Grants and issues arising from the War of 1812.

Jurisdiction and organization

The District of Vermont has original jurisdiction over all federal cases arising within the state, including both civil and criminal matters under federal law. The court's geographic jurisdiction covers all 14 counties of Vermont. It is administratively supported by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and utilizes the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The court also handles bankruptcy cases through a separate bankruptcy court unit. Appeals from its decisions are taken to the Second Circuit in New York City.

Current judges

As of 2023, the court has two authorized Article III judgeships, both of which are filled. The Chief Judge is Geoffrey W. Crawford, appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2014. The other active district judge is Christina Reiss, appointed by Obama and confirmed in 2014. The court also utilizes senior judges and magistrate judges, such as John M. Conroy, to assist with its caseload. All district judges in Vermont are members of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Former judges

Notable former judges include the first judge, Nathaniel Chipman, and James S. Holden, who served from 1966 to 1984. Albert W. Coffrin, appointed by President Richard Nixon, served from 1972 to 1994. Fred I. Parker, appointed by President Bill Clinton, served from 1994 until his death in 2008. Senior Judge William K. Sessions III, appointed by Clinton, assumed senior status in 2013. The legacy of these jurists is documented in the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges maintained by the Federal Judicial Center.

Courthouses

The court's primary facility is the Howard Coffin House Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Burlington, a historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The court also maintains federal courthouses in Rutland and Brattleboro for proceedings in the southern part of the state. These facilities are managed by the General Services Administration. Past court sessions were held in locations like Windsor, Middlebury, and the former Post Office and Courthouse in Burlington.

Notable cases

The court has presided over several significant cases. In United States v. Levasseur (1987), it handled the trial of members of the United Freedom Front, a radical left-wing organization. The court ruled on environmental litigation concerning Lake Champlain pollution under the Clean Water Act. It also adjudicated major Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant litigation. More recently, the court has been involved in cases related to same-sex marriage and disputes over pharmaceutical pricing and the opioid crisis involving companies like Purdue Pharma.