We Are Vermont’s Assistant Judges

The twenty-eight independently elected Assistant Judges are elected for four-year terms: two judges per county as established by the Vermont Constitution.

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Vermont Constitution (1793), Chapter II, § 50

“The Assistant Judges shall be elected by the voters of their respective districts as established by law. Their judicial functions shall be established by law…”

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The Assistant judges are the elected county executives responsible for the administration of the county budget and all other county affairs; in our judicial function we sit as finders of fact in civil and family court alongside the presiding Superior Court Judge—hence the term “side judges.”


THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION:

  • To preserve county government and the constitutional office of Assistant Judge;
  • to educate Vermonters about the role and importance of county government and of Assistant Judges;
  • to work with the Vermont Judiciary in efforts to maintain a strong and independent Judicary;
  • to provide education and support for the Assistant Judges as they perform their official duties.

2021-2023 OFFICERS:

Joyce McKeeman, President, Orange County
Mary C. Frost, Vice-President, Bennington County
Alison Johannensen, Treasurer, Windsor County
Kenn Stransky, Secretary, Essex County

Bennington County Courthouse spire

Announcements

Upcoming Event:

National Judge’s Association
43rd Annual Conference
July 7-12, 2024
Windjammer Inn and Conference Center
1076 Williston Rd.
S. Burlington VT 05403

Annual Conference

National Judicial College
Democracy’s Last Line of Defense
Preserving an Independent Judiciary
March 13-14, 2024
Boston, MA

Assistant Judges: Alison Johannensen, Joyce McKeeman, Leah Jones, Mary Frost with
Chief Justice Paul Reiber and Chief Superior Court Judge Thomas Zonay

INFORMATION BY COUNTY:

Assistant Judge Laurel Mackin presenting on Judicial Conduct at Judicial College

Vermont Supreme Court Judges

Assistant Judges at the Judicial College