Dale A. Rocheleau, the former senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary of Central Vermont Public Service Corp., rejoined the northern New England law firm Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC as senior counsel on August 31. He is based in the firm’s Burlington office.
Until the sale of Vermont’s largest electric utility to Gaz Métro Limited Partnership closed in June, Rocheleau had served as the company’s chief legal and corporate affairs adviser since 2003. At CVPS, which was recognized by Forbes in 2010 as one of the most trustworthy companies in America, he managed departments responsible for legal, corporate governance, enterprise risk management and public relations activities, including investor and media relations, and customer, employee, community and government communications.
“We are extremely pleased that Dale has returned to DRM, where he began his legal career in 1986,” said DRM Managing Partner Paul H. Ode Jr. “Dale is an exceptionally well regarded, effective lawyer and senior executive. DRM clients, particularly those whose businesses are highly regulated, can greatly benefit from his high-level strategic assistance on matters related to law, governance, regulatory relations, risk and compliance. His diverse experience uniquely positions him to counsel business leaders and assist them in accomplishing their goals.”
During his previous tenure with DRM, Rocheleau advanced rapidly and was elected to membership as a director in 1992. He chaired the firm’s Regulated Entities Practice Group, obtaining permits and approvals for economic development projects in Vermont ranging from $1 million to $225 million and assisting businesses and trade associations in negotiating, drafting and securing passage of significant legislation.
A 1980 graduate of the University of Vermont, Rocheleau earned his law degree with honors from Georgetown University in 1986. Before and during law school, he coordinated a congressional campaign in Maryland, organized and managed a congressional office, served as a congressional legislative assistant, and worked at a Washington, D.C., law firm.
Rocheleau is a member of the University of Vermont’s board of trustees and serves as president of the Rutland Economic Development Corporation. He served as chair of the Vermont Water Resources Board from 1991 to 1993, director of the Lund Family Center from 1994 to 2001, director of the Vermont Business Roundtable from 1998 to 2002, president of the University of Vermont Alumni Association from 2002 to 2004 (Distinguished Service Award recipient in 2008), trustee of the Vermont Historical Society from 1999 to 2005, advisor to the governor of Vermont on the Governor’s Council of Environmental Advisors from 2003 to 2011, and director of Cynosure Inc. from 2003 to 2010, where he also served as board chair from 2009 to 2010.
Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC is a full-service law firm with more than 60 attorneys and six offices in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York. DRM provides legal services to local, national and international clients in practice areas that include bankruptcy and business restructuring, corporate and commercial law, captive insurance, energy, health law, intellectual property , labor and employment, litigation, real estate and land use, environmental law, tax law, telecommunications, family law, and trusts and estates. The firm represents clients in legislative, regulatory and public affairs through the Government and Public Affairs group. DRM is the law firm member for Vermont of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms.