JAMES Valente
Favorite Part of Job? Every day, there are complex problems to solve. If we get the answers right, we can make a real difference 
in the lives of our clients.
Most Inspiring Mentor: Tom Costello taught me how to be a lawyer, then how to run the business. He still helps me stay confident when things don't go as planned, and keeps me from getting too full of myself when they do.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: I won the 2002 Brattleboro Union High School hot dog eating contest.
Favorite Vermont Escape: Route 2 West, through Grand Isle and the Hero islands.
Favorite Downtime Activity: Trying to teach my daughters how to ski.
Career Highlights: There's no feeling like passing the bar exam. After that, getting the opinion back in "Kennery v. State," the first significant victory I took part in, where the Supreme Court reversed a trial court judgment against our client.
Community Involvement: Most of my involvement is as the Chair of the Brattleboro Development Review Board, which determines whether proposed real estate developments comply with the town's zoning ordinances.
I also am the Chair of the Supervisory Committee of our local credit union, River Valley Credit Union, an institution which goes to extraordinarily lengths to help its members.