I need legal advice...

Can you tell me what legal options I have in my situation?

The Office of the Attorney General is the law firm for the state government.  We cannot provide individuals with legal advice or act on your individual behalf as your attorney.  When the Attorney General brings a lawsuit, it is on behalf of the state as a whole.  While we can give you some general information and direct you to where you can find Vermont laws, we cannot tell you how they will specifically apply to your situation.  You will need to speak with a private attorney for that kind of information.

How do I find a private attorney?  

There are legal resources available to assist you with questions you may have.  You may contact Vermont Legal Aid's Help Line: (800) 889-2047 for free legal services if you qualify.


Additionally, the Vermont Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 639-7036 can connect you with an attorney in your area for a reduced fee initial consultation.

How do I file a lawsuit?

You may file a claim in your local county court for small claims up to $5,000 without an attorney.  Contact your local county courthouse for information on how to file a small claims action or visit the website for the Vermont Judiciary for more information.

If your claim is more than $5,000, you will need an attorney to file a lawsuit for you.

Should I file a complaint with you first?

You may always file a complaint with our office first.  We find that a majority of complaints we send to businesses get resolved through our free complaint mediation process without the time and expense of a lawsuit.  However, there are some complaints that are not able to be successfully resolved through our program, for which a lawsuit may be the next option.  If you have filed a complaint with our office and wish to proceed with a lawsuit, please let us know so that we may close your file accordingly.  We can also provide you with copies of any of our complaint files related to your case.

How to File a Complaint Against a Lawyer?

File complaints regarding attorney conduct directly with the Professional Responsibility Board:

Professional Responsibility Board
Costello Courthouse
32 Cherry St., Suite 213
Burlington VT 05401

Phone:  (800) 439-8683 or (802) 828-3204

Last modified March 18 2013 02:19 PM