Practice Areas

Civil Rights Violations

Chadwick Spensley & Fox PLLC represents clients in all forms of civil rights violations, most extensively within the realm of excessive use of force claims against local and state law enforcement officers and agencies. “1983” claims as they are termed after the Federal Statute that provides the cause of action for deprivation of civil rights, Chadwick, Spensley & Fox has continued to hold law enforcement and municipalities accountable for these violations, upholding the belief that all individuals have the constitutional right to be free of unlawful force and arrest.

Criminal Defense

Nobody wants to need a criminal defense attorney. However, if law enforcement is investigating or if formal charges have been brought, having legal counsel assisting you can be invaluable.

All of the attorneys at Chadwick, Spensley & Fox started their legal careers as attorneys litigating in Vermont criminal courts.

Chadwick, Spensley & Fox is admitted to practice in all Vermont and Massachusetts’ state and federal courts.

If you are facing any of the following:

• Domestic Assault (13 VSA 1042);
• Violation of Relief From Abuse Order (13 VSA 1030)
• Aggravated Assault (13 VSA 1024)
• Simple Assault (13 VSA 1023)
• Drug Possession/Trafficking (18 VSA 4231);
• Criminal Fraud (13 VSA Chapter 47) ;
• Sexual Assault (13 VSA Chapter 72)
• Lewd and Lascivious Conduct (13 VSA Chapter 59);
• Unlawful Mischief (13 VSA 3701);
• DUI (23 VSA 1201)
• Excessive Speed (23 VSA 1097); or
• Any other criminal charges in Massachusetts, Vermont or Federal jurisdictions.

We at Chadwick, Spensley & Fox, with years of criminal defense experience, understand the

importance of taking the reins early in a criminal investigation/prosecution. We are available to

our clients at all times to ensure that a client is protected from the aggressive investigative tactics of law enforcement and to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected throughout the process.

Family and Civil Mediation

A majority of civil and family cases are best served by attempting to resolve the dispute through the process of mediation prior to litigating in court. This process involves all parties coming to the table to discuss their beliefs in their position and to see if a bridge between the two can be built through a negotiated process that is brokered by the mediator. Most litigants find this

process useful and a large majority of cases settle through a mediation, as the risk of the unknown brings people to the table to resolve their differences instead of leaving it all up to a judge.

Divorce and Child Custody

Are you facing a divorce? Is there a dispute about custody of your children, or who will reside in the marital home? Divorce law, governed by the Family Court can be overwhelming. In such cases, with so much at risk, it is important that you have a trusted legal advocate who can not only counsel you, but be prepared to go to bat for you through litigation.

Divorce: With extensive experience in handling divorces throughout Vermont, our attorneys are available to assist clients in all manner of cases. Clients need assurances from their lawyer,

assurances that their needs and fears are understood, assurances that they will go to bat for them in advocating their client’s needs and an assurance that even when the stress levels reach a boiling point, that their lawyer will stand in their corner to ensure that their concerns are heard and addressed.

Child Custody: In Vermont, the best interest of the child is always the most paramount concern. Child Custody litigation can get ugly; but it doesn’t have to. The key is to always keep the end game in sight, that being the needs of the children and what role each parent should play in meeting those needs. It is presumed from the start by the Court that each parent can assist substantially in raising their child. However, if circumstances arise that raise questions as to one parent’s ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment for their children, swift legal action can be taken to ensure that the children are protected.

Child/Spousal Support: Chadwick, Spensley & Fox litigates all manner of spousal and child support disputes that arise from Vermont Family Court orders. Whether you are looking to modify an existing order or are requesting support for the first time, we can assist in ensuring

that the system treats you fairly and that all relevant facts are known by the judge before a final determination is made.

Estate Planning

Chadwick, Spensley & Fox attorneys and staff have decades of experience in assisting clients in planning for the inevitable. Taking a hands-on approach of walking clients through their assets and their final

wishes is not easy, but is essential to ensure peace of mind and ease for loved ones when having to manage the affairs of their lost family and friends. Through the construction of a well thought will or trust, along with ensuring that the proper transfer upon death designations are in place including enhanced life estate deeds or other real estate instruments, clients can rest assured that their plan will lessen the burden on their loved ones when they need it most.

A well thought out estate plan will protect your assets, ensure your loved ones receive those assets upon your death and can simplify or eliminate the need for costly probate litigation.

Chadwick, Spensley & Fox offers a wide range of Vermont estate planning options including:

1. Wills
2. Trusts;
3. Life Estate/or “Lady Bird” deeds for real estate;
4. Power of Attorneys for medical and finance.

Attorneys will then work collaboratively with the client to construct the estate planning

documents they may need that would best identify and distribute assets with the ultimate goal of simplifying matters for loved ones when the inevitable occurs.

Evictions

Chadwick, Spensley & Fox represents landlords in all facets of eviction proceedings. Be it a residential or commercial lease, Vermont eviction law is a complex proceeding that requires

concise compliance with Vermont landlord/tenant statutes. Our attorneys are well versed in the eviction procedures which will help the eviction process run smoothly and allow you to move on with your business

Real Estate & Title Work

Lead Attorney: Evan Chadwick, Esq.

Are you looking to buy or sell residential Vermont real estate? Are you looking to refinance a pre-existing mortgage to secure a better interest rate? Are you looking to transfer ownership of a property to a loved one? or, are you in need of Title Research on a remote Vermont Property?

Chadwick, Spensley & Fox provides a wide range of real estate services including:

• Purchase and sale contract review and formation;
• Creation of closing documents including warranty deeds, property transfer tax returns, land gains, and state withholding forms;
• Settlement agent services;
• Quitclaim/Life Estate/Trustee deed formation;
• Full title searches, title reports, title opinions, and even issuance of mortgage/lender title insurance and owner title insurance policies through First American Title Insurance Company;

With offices located in Windham, Rutland and Orange and Windsor Counties, we are easily able to meet and facilitate real estate transactions and title searches throughout all of Vermont;

Vermont Title Search

Chadwick, Spensley & Fox works throughout Vermont, providing a full range of title services: title searches, abstracts & reports, land record retrieval, lender & owner title insurance policies, and more!

Worker’s Compensation

Have you been injured at your Vermont place of employment? Is the workers’ compensation

insurance carrier denying your claim? If so you, under Vermont law, have a right to appeal this determination to the Vermont Workers’ Compensation Board, where an evidentiary hearing will be held to determine the merits of your claim.

In order to best prepare for these hearings, it is important that all medical records surrounding the injury have been secured and that you have medical experts able to opine that the injuries suffered are related to your employment.

Although the rules governing Workers Compensation hearings are less strict than those governing Superior Court cases, the nuances are extensive and need to be examined in order to best determine your course of action.