Megan LaChance
35 | City Attorney, City of Rutland
Residence: Rutland
Career highlight you are most proud of:
I am most proud of helping my clients successfully navigate through tense legal situations and assert their statutorily granted authority.
Community Involvement:
My community involvement includes co-chairing the Rutland Dismas House Dinner Auction committee in addition to other assorted volunteer work for Rutland Dismas House and the Women's Dismas House. The Rutland and Women's Dismas Houses are two of the five houses in Vermont that make up Dismas of Vermont - a non-profit organization dedicated to reconciling former prisoners with society and society with former prisoners. Each of the houses create a family-like living environment, including common living spaces and shared communal meals, with staff on site to help coordinate wrap-around services to assist residents in successfully reentering the local community.
My other community involvements, aside from my job as City Attorney for Rutland, include serving on the board of the local Habitat for Humanity, playing cello with the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra, and occasionally serving as an usher or assisting with music at the local Catholic parishes.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont?
I was motivated to live and work in Vermont by my husband! I originally came to Vermont to attend Vermont Law School, which is where I met my husband. He's from Vermont and had no desire to leave, so I stayed. Although the beautiful mountains, fresh air, and abundance of locally sourced food and farmers markets certainly meant he didn't need to do much convincing!
Favorite part of your job:
The best part of my job is getting to work with some incredible people who are passionate about municipal government and making their community an amazing place to work and live.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know:
Few people know that I have pet rats! They are very intelligent, misunderstood creatures, and among the most loving and affectionate pets I've ever had.
Favorite Vermont escape:
My favorite Vermont escape is Lake Morey — especially in Autumn. Seeing the lake peacefully calm and surrounded by the trees and mountains is breathtaking.
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support:
If I had unlimited funds, I would support mental health research and outreach initiatives. So many of the problems we see in today's society can be traced back to mental health issues that are either not being treated or under treated, and I want to see people receive the help that they need to lead successful lives.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years?
In the next five years, I just hope to still be City Attorney! After that, though, I would like to be working at the State level or in private practice advising municipalities.
