Chris Mattei has been called upon to handle some of the highest profile trials in the nation over the past decade. Described by one New York Times reporter as an “incredible powerhouse lawyer,” Chris’s practice is devoted to protecting individuals and the public from corporate and institutional abuse.

Chris currently represents the Sandy Hook families against right wing internet performer, Alex Jones. For years, Jones claimed that the Sandy Hook shooting did not happen and that the surviving family members were actors. Chris served as a lead trial counsel in this historic case that focused international attention on the years of abuse suffered by the families and the corrosive threat of social media fueled disinformation. The trial resulted in a $1.4 billion verdict against Jones and Infowars, the largest defamation verdict in American history.

Judge Tomasi is the presiding superior court judge in Orleans County, Vermont. He also serves as a judge for the civil division of the Lamoille County superior court. Judge Tomasi is a graduate of Columbia college and Columbia Law School. He was an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Vermont District and served in the Office of Vermont Attorney General from 1994 to 2007, serving as Chief of the Civil Division from 1999 to 2007.

Judge Tomasi was appointed to the Superior Court by Governor Douglas in November 2010. 

Mike Hanley has practiced law in northern New England since 1976. At this time, he primarily represents patients in medical malpractice cases and parties to complex commercial litigation. However, over the years, he has tried almost every kind of case. He has a demonstrated record of obtaining fair and just outcomes for his clients. 

Mike graduated cum laude from St. Lawrence University in 1972 and Notre Dame Law School in 1976. 

BILL COUNOS 
Bill Counos practices in St. Albans where he was born and raised and concentrates his practice in personal injury law. Bill is a current member of the  VTLA Board of Trustees and is past president of the Franklin County Bar Association, past president of the former VTLA and past president and national board member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. 

President Rodney Smolla began his term as president of Vermont Law and Graduate School on July 1, 2022. He joined VLGS from Widener University Delaware Law School, where he served as dean and professor of law since 2015. He previously served as president of Furman University, and dean at Washington and Lee University and University of Richmond law schools. Professor Smolla has long been a strong advocate for experiential learning, the development of professional competencies, and civic engagement. President Smolla has been and remains an active litigator. He is admitted to the Illinois, Virginia, and Delaware bars, and has participated as counsel or co-counsel in many litigation matters, in state and federal courts throughout the nation. The author of more than 100 articles published in law reviews and other publications, he is a nationally known scholar on matters relating to constitutional law, civil rights, freedom of speech, and mass media and particularly matters relating to libel and privacy. 

BONNIE BADGEWICK
Bonnie Badgewick currently serves on the Civil Rules Committee and is the current chair of the Vermont Trial Lawyers Association. She has been a trial lawyer in Vermont since 2001 and currently practices in Woodstock, Vermont.

Patrick Winburn has been practicing law in Vermont since 1987. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America in personal injury and medical malpractice law and is rated Av by Martindale-Hubbell.  He has tried over 100 contested jury trials and has received two jury verdicts in excess of $1M. He is a graduate of George Washington University, BA, 1977 and the University of Miami, JD,1980.