ALISON Powers
39 | Vermont Attonrney General's Office | Assistant Attorney General
Residence: Hinesburg
Career highlight(s): Public service was not on my career radar when I entered law school, yet the career highlight I’m most proud of is making the switch to working for state government eight years ago. Since then I have felt like my work has a broad impact and purpose. Public service gave me the opportunity to provide advice on issues with statewide impacts; and counsel leaders within a range of State agencies and departments, defend them in litigation, and support them with internal matters. About 8,000 people work for state government, and I’ve seen how hardworking and committed they are to public service and supporting Vermont residents. Feeling like I am able to contribute to that is a career highlight.
Community Involvement: My community involvement includes graduating from the Vermont Leadership Series, which develops participants’ commitment to making Vermont a better place for people with disabilities to live, and to be advocates for disability rights and positive social change. I am a member of the Council of Parent, Attorneys, and Advocates (COPAA), a national association of parents of children with disabilities, attorneys, and advocates who protect the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities. I completed COPAA’s Special Education Advocate Training to assist parents with meaningfully participating in the education of their children. I am trained as a Support Parent for the Vermont Family Network, to support families with children who have special needs or disabilities, and am a member of the Vermont Family Network’s Family Faculty, which supports the professional growth of medical students by helping them to understand the importance of family-centered care. I previously spend time as a Mentor for youth at the King Street Youth Center in Burlington, and supporting New Americans access integrative services and smoothly transition to living and working in Vermont.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I was motivated to live and work in Vermont because I like the people here! Many residents I encounter in Vermont are so interesting – whether it is because of all they learned and experienced growing up in Vermont or the life experiences they brought with them to Vermont.
What is the best career advice you have received? The best career advice I have received is to “be yourself.” Everyone has their own style that is authentic to them, and if you try to be someone you aren’t it will be ineffective.
Favorite Vermont escape: My favorite Vermont escape is my own backyard. My neighborhood has everything I could want in an “escape” - southern and western mountain views, a big night sky to enjoy sitting around the fire pit, a decent sledding hill in the winter, meadows and woods with hiking trails, and lots of different wildlife.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: I would support children with neuro-diversities, special health needs, and disabilities in general to help them access the fun experiences all kids love. Many typical childhood experiences outside the home are prohibitive for non-typical kids, so we all need to work together to make our world more inclusive, kind, and welcoming.
How has your community service changed since the pandemic? My community service during the pandemic has changed by becoming more accessible for everyone in this universally virtual world. Scheduling in general is easier, and I have found it easier to balance all my responsibilities and priorities.
How has your job changed since this pandemic? During the pandemic, my job has become almost entirely remote. It hasn’t affected my ability to get my job done, but it certainly affected my working conditions. I shared an office with my daughter all last year, who was in a virtual kindergarten class, and she didn’t hesitate to shush me if my talking during a work meeting got in the way of her learning!