Rutland County
Rutland County Courthouse
83 Center Street
Rutland, VT 05701
(802) 775-0114
Rutland District and Family Courthouse
9 Merchants Row
Rutland, VT 05701
(802) 786-5880
COURTHOUSE HOURS:
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
SUPERIOR COURT OF VERMONT
Civil and Probate Divisions:
Rutland County Courthouse
83 Center Street
Rutland, VT 05701
Civil: (802) 775-4394
Probate:(802) 775-0114
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
Criminal and Family Divisions:
Rutland District and Family Courthouse
9 Merchants Row
Rutland, VT 05701
Criminal: (802) 786-5880
Family: (802) 786-5856
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
ASSISTANT JUDGES
Hon. David S. Wolk
Dave Wolk has led intertwined careers in education and government leadership for 48 years.
In addition to the unbridled joy of sharing life with his family and friends, he likes to help leaders get better at what they do, and he enjoys being called upon to fix things, especially enterprises that enhance the human condition.
He served as a guidance counselor and teacher at Mt. St. Joseph Academy, academic dean at the St. Sebastian’s School, principal of Barstow Memorial School, principal of Rutland High School, superintendent of schools in Rutland City (with a one year return engagement in 2019) and Vermont’s Commissioner of Education.
His government service included four years as a Vermont state senator and service as Governor Howard Dean’s Chief of Policy.
He began his Presidency at what later became Castleton University in 2001, and was the longest serving President in Castleton’s history, culminating in his first failed retirement in December 2017. At Castleton he led increased involvement by the university in the local community and expanded commitment to civic engagement, sustainability, student athletes, inclusivity and service learning.
In July of 2015, President Wolk headed the modernization of the Castleton name as he led the school to achieving university status, representing many years of growth. When he retired from Castleton University in 2017 the Board of Trustees unanimously renamed Spartan Stadium the Dave Wolk Stadium.
He has dedicated his life to public service.
He was born and grew up in Rutland. He graduated from Rutland High School and then Middlebury College with a degree in political science. He earned a master’s degree in educational administration and planning at UVM and a certificate of advanced graduate study at Harvard University. During his professional career he served on more than 40 state and national boards and commissions, including twelve years as a member and later Chairman of the Board of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, and currently provides leadership mentoring and coaching in the public and private sector. He is married to Lyn Wolk, a professional mediator/conflict resolution and HR expert, and together they enjoy seven children and seven grandchildren.
Hon. Stephen P. Benard
Judge Benard began his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff at Rutland County Sheriff’s Department in June of 1979.
He continued as a Patrolman for the Town of Ludlow, VT, working thru the ranks of Sergeant and Acting Chief, returning to Rutland County Sheriff’s Department in 1990.
He again advanced through the ranks, eventually being appointed by Governor James Douglas as Sheriff in 2004. He served as Rutland County Sheriff for 16 years, retiring in March of 2020. As Sheriff he served on the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council for 15 years and as its chair for five years. He has served on many statewide boards and grant review committees.
Judge Benard has received continuing education at the College of Saint Joseph, majoring in business administration, the FBI National Academy, majoring in law enforcement administration and leadership, the National Sheriff’s Institute, majoring in the history of sheriffs, politics and media relations.
Judge Benard is a member and past president of the Wallingford Memorial Rotary Club, and past member of the Rutland City Rotary. A fifth-generation Vermonter, he resides in Clarendon.