Vermont Business Magazine

GEOFFREY HandGeoffrey Hand

Dunkiel Saunders

Career Highlights:
Geoff is a partner at Dunkiel Saunders Elliott Raubvogel & Hand in Burlington, where he has practiced law for the past eight years. His work focuses primarily on renewable energy development, environmental litigation, land use permitting, municipal law, and general civil litigation. Geoff also works closely with nonprofit organizations and business clients, advising them on regulatory and governance issues. He regularly represents clients before the Vermont Public Service Board, the Environmental Division of the Vermont Superior Court, and the Vermont Supreme Court, as well as in federal courts around the U.S. Geoff received his JD and Masters of Environmental Law from Vermont Law School in 2003. During law school, Geoff was awarded an Albert Schweitzer Fellowship to help establish Vermont’s first environmental law clinic and was the recipient of the Maximilian Kempner Award, which was awarded to the graduating student who best exemplified the highest standards of competence, integrity, fair mindedness, and public service.

Community Involvement:
Geoff currently serves on the Board of the Burlington Boys & Girls Club and on the Board of VSA Vermont, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the arts accessible to all Vermonters, including those with disabilities. He also serves on the Board of the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, a land trust located in Rangeley, Maine.

Favorite part of job?
We focus our practice on helping individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations make a difference in their communities; because of that focus, I have the opportunity to work with a number of innovative Vermonters who are doing inspiring work around the state. It is incredibly satisfying to help those innovators strategize about how to address potential legal issues, find solutions to problems, and help them accomplish their mission.

Most inspiring mentor?
Paul Bianchi, my high school principal.

Who is your living hero?
Aung San Suu Kyi.

Favorite downtime activity?
Spending time outside with my wife and two boys.