Vermont Business Magazine Governor Peter Shumlin announced today that he will appoint attorney Kirstin Schoonover, presently of Vermont Legal Aid, Inc, to the Vermont trial bench. Schoonover fills the seat left open by the appointment of Judge Harold “Duke” Eaton, Jr, to serve on the Vermont Supreme Court. Schoonover has advocated on behalf of low-income Vermonters at Legal Aid since 2007. Previously she worked as a public defender in the Chittenden County Public Defender’s Office and as an Assistant Attorney General handling appellate and trial court cases for the Department for Children and Families.
Her current practice involves advocacy on behalf of victims of domestic violence, the mentally ill, and low-income Vermonters facing termination of housing and termination of benefits. Prior to coming to Vermont in 2000, she worked as a public defender in Washington State defending adults in criminal proceedings and juveniles facing delinquency proceedings. She is a member of the Vermont Council on Domestic Violence.
“Kirstin’s long record of helping those Vermonters who can least afford legal services speaks volumes about her compassion and sense of fairness,” Gov. Shumlin said. “She is a person with an extraordinary commitment to service and a deep understanding of the challenges facing Vermont’s judiciary. These skills, combined with her quick intellect and mastery of the law make me proud to appoint her to the Vermont bench.”
“I am humbled and honored to serve on the bench. It is with great excitement that I accept the Governor’s offer,” said Schoonover.
Schoonover is a graduate of the University of San Francisco Law School and Pomona College. She lives with her husband and two children.
Source: Governor 8.5.2015