Between 1981 and 2006, as a partner at two different Burlington, Vermont law firms, I handled a large and varied litigation case load, including civil, criminal, family and probate cases, and a wide range of administrative hearings. Certain cases regrettably restrict themselves to litigation, and in those cases, I believe in getting the case before the judge or jury as quickly and efficiently as possible. That said, the court system is slow, expensive and unpredictable. I therefore encourage clients to use "alternative dispute resolution" (negotiation, mediation and arbitration) whenever it poses a practical alternative. I have appeared before all state and federal courts in the State of Vermont, and before many of its administrative agencies.