OCTOBER 18 - MONTPELIER – Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced the appointment of Beth Robinson to serve on the Vermont Supreme Court.

An attorney with nearly two decades of experience practicing law in Vermont, Robinson is also a  widely respected civil rights advocate whose work to secure marriage equality rights in Vermont earned wide national recognition. Robinson will replace Justice Denise Johnson, who is retiring.  

Robinson practiced law for 18 years at Langrock Sperry & Wool in Middlebury and Burlington, with a civil practice that included workers’ compensation, family law, employment law, negligence and injury cases. She served as co-counsel in the case of Baker v. Vermont, the landmark case that led to Vermont’s passage of a first-in-the-nation civil union law, and led the successful quest for full marriage equality for same-sex couples in Vermont. 

“I am proud to appoint Beth Robinson to the Supreme Court,” the Governor said. “Beth’s strong legal background, experience with crafting legislation at the State House and commitment to the equal rights of all Vermonters will make her an exceptional justice on the Vermont Supreme Court. While I am thrilled to see Beth go to the Court and believe her to be the best qualified of an extraordinary pool of candidates, I am also sad to lose Beth as my legal counsel. In addition to depending on Beth's sound legal advice, it is a pleasure to work with her every day."

Robinson added, “I’m humbled by the confidence that Governor Shumlin has placed in me, and deeply grateful both for the opportunity I’ve had to serve his administration these past 10 months, and for the chance to serve Vermont’s judiciary in the years to come.” 

Robinson graduated from Dartmouth College in 1986 and the University of Chicago Law School in 1989.