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elected to serve in that seat . This year we are actively seeking recommendations from members as to possible subjects for an upcoming CLE .
HEALTH LAW SECTION
Chairs : Drew Kervick and Elizabeth Wohl , Esqs .
In connection with the VBA ’ s recent attention on attorney wellness , the health law section organized a CLE at the 2018 VBA Mid- Year meeting focusing on mental health . Titled “ Keeping it All Together : Navigating Mental Health Challenges in the Legal Profession ”, the seminar featured a facilitated panel of expert discussion leaders , including Michael Kennedy ( Vermont Bar Counsel ), Elizabeth Wohl ( Brattleboro Retreat ), AJ Ruben , ( Disability Rights Vermont ), and Wilda White ( Vermont Psychiatric Survivors ), and focused on the challenges of accessing mental health treatment , the problems that stigma creates , and the particular barriers that attorneys may ( or may not ) face when interacting with mental health providers , among other topics . The health law section looks forward to continued attention on the important issue of attorney wellness in 2019 !
IMMIGRATION LAW SECTION
Chair : Sidney Collier , Esq .
This past year has been another very active one in the field of immigration law . We have seen many policy changes that discourage even legal immigration to the U . S . and some that will likely result in more individuals facing deportation proceedings . In April , we saw families entering the U . S . at the southern border targeted with detention and separation , and many families remain separated despite a court order requiring reunification . The Section expects continued elevated activity in the coming year with more far-reaching changes anticipated .
In March 2018 , Sidney Collier and Adeline Simenon presented on employment- and family-based immigration law at the VBA mid-year meeting . We look forward to an exciting humanitarian-based immigration presentation by attorneys with the Vermont ACLU and Vermont Law School at the VBA ’ s Annual Meeting on September 28 th . The Immigration Law Section encourages everyone to use VBA Connect to share what you are seeing in the field and ask questions .
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW SECTION
Chair : Andrew Manitsky , Esq . At the VBA Annual Meeting , the Intellectual Property Section participated in a joint
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presentation with the Employment Law Section on “ Workplace Investigations , Intellectual Property Law and Employment Law .” In addition , Section Chair Andrew Manitsky gave a presentation on copyright law at the Governor ’ s Institute on Information Technology & Digital Media on IP Across Digital Media and Technology . The IP Section will be presenting at the upcoming Mid-Year Meeting .
INTERNATIONAL LAW & PRACTICE SECTION
Chair : Mark Oettinger , Esq .
The VBA ’ s International Law & Practice Section has approximately 50 members . We engage in informal member-to-member resource sharing and cross-referral . During the past year , the Section co-hosted a presentation on Cross-Border US-Canada litigation . Chair Mark Oettinger joined Toronto attorneys Scott Fairley ( Harvard LLM and SJD in Public International Law and International Human Rights ) and Ruzbeh Hosseini , both of Cambridge LLP , a firm specializing in US- Canada ( and other ) cross-border litigation . The topics of the presentation included recent developments in Canadian case law regarding recognition ( or not ) of foreign-nation judgments under principles of comity .
Section members continue to collaborate on the design , dissemination and implementation of a proposed World Court of Human Rights ( WCHR ), a supra-national court that would , if implemented , unify the jurisprudence and procedure of the growing body of public international human rights law . For further details on this project , please see an article entitled , The Design and Implementation of a World Court of Human Rights , published in the Winter 2016-2017 issue of the Vermont Bar Journal . More information can be found at www . worldcourtofhumanrights . net .
Mark Oettinger is scheduled to give the keynote address on the WCHR at the October 31 , 2018 meeting of the Canadian Society of International Law ( CSIL ). During the past year , ILP Section members have also actively engaged with the Vermont International Trade Alliance , and the Vermont Council on World Affairs . Members are encouraged to post comments , questions or international legal developments of note through VBA Connect .
JUVENILE LAW SECTION
Chair : Pamela Marsh , Esq .
The Juvenile Law Section sponsored a workshop at the Mid-Winter Meeting on Post-Adoption Contact Agreements . This was a lively session , and the video is available for folks are be willing to advise prospective
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adoption parents on PACAs . Low bono funding ( 3 hours @$ 60 / hr ) is available for this representation statewide .
Major changes in juvenile delinquency and Youthful Offender law have gone into effect as of January 1 and July 1 , respectively . In summary : the prosecutor , except in very unusual circumstances , must charge youths who are under 18 at the time of the offense , in juvenile court for everything except the “ big 12 ” offenses . Youthful Offender status may be requested for youths up to age 21 without entering a conditional plea in criminal court . The case is then immediately transferred to juvenile court for an “ amenability hearing ,” at which time it is determined whether the case stays in juvenile court or is returned to the criminal division . Return to the criminal division remains possible if the youth violates probation .
Unfortunately , the Section has remained fairly inactive . Those with interest in Juvenile Law are encouraged to share discussions on VBA Connect . Next year the Section will be led by Linda Reis , Esq ., and Sarah Star , Esq . who will hopefully breathe more life into Section activities .
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT SECTION
Chair : Stephen Ellis , Esq . At last year ’ s VBA Annual Meeting , the Labor and Employment and the Intellectual Property Sections combined to present a 2-part CLE on Workplace Investigations which was very well received . This year , the Labor and Employment Law Section is collaborating with the Vermont Department of Labor to present a seminar at the VBA Annual Meeting addressing legal and economic developments and trends within the general framework of workforce development . This not-to-be-missed program will provide a unique opportunity to engage directly with the Department of Labor ’ s Commissioner , General Counsel and Chief Economist and will provide an overview of recent developments in the law from a policy perspective . Following the annual meeting , the Section will draw upon its membership continue to work with the DOL to make this presentation available in a series of public forums throughout the state . Please share any thoughts on public forum or program topics with Jennifer Emens-Butler or with the Section on VBA Connect .
MUNICIPAL LAW SECTION
Chair : Brian Monaghan , Esq .
The Section was fairly inactive this year without having our annual Municipal Law Day . We are in the planning stages for having Municipal Law Day next year . The activ-
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