Why It Matters
The unexpected death of Vermont Superior Court Judge Dickson Corbett removes a respected jurist from the bench during a period when he was overseeing several high-profile cases in Windsor County. His passing leaves a vacancy that will require gubernatorial appointment and potentially disrupts ongoing litigation in a rural judicial district.
What Happened
Judge Corbett was found unresponsive Thursday morning and transported to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. Authorities determined he died of natural causes. He was in his mid-40s.
Corbett, a native of Pennsylvania, earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina before attending Vermont Law School, where he graduated in 2007 with a juris doctor and a master’s degree in environmental law. He began his legal career by clerking in Orange and Windsor county courts, then joined the Orange County state’s attorney’s office as a deputy in 2013 under Will Porter.
After roughly a decade as deputy state’s attorney, Corbett was appointed Orange County state’s attorney by Gov. Phil Scott in 2021 following Porter’s retirement. Two years later, Scott elevated him to the Superior Court bench in 2023, assigning him to hear cases in Windsor County. Corbett maintained ties to his community through service as town moderator and planning commissioner in Chelsea, where he lived before relocating to Thetford. He is survived by his wife, Megan Campbell, a lawyer in the Vermont attorney general’s office, and two children.
By the Numbers
2007 — Year Corbett graduated from Vermont Law School
2013 — Year he joined the Orange County state’s attorney’s office as deputy
2021 — Year he was appointed Orange County state’s attorney
2023 — Year he was appointed to the Superior Court bench
Mid-40s — His age at death
Zoom Out
Vermont’s judicial system, like those in many rural states, depends heavily on the stability and continuity of individual judges, who often serve the same counties for years. Unexpected vacancies on the Superior Court bench create administrative challenges for case management and can delay proceedings in civil and criminal matters. Judicial appointments in Vermont are made by the governor, typically after informal consultation with bar associations and local legal communities.
Recognition and Colleagues
Those who worked alongside Corbett praised his commitment to the law and to his communities. Kiara Senecal, co-executive director of Orange County Restorative Justice, reflected on his loss: “His passing is a devastating loss to our communities. He was doing what he was doing for the right reasons, and that truly showed up in his work.”
Will Porter, the former Orange County state’s attorney who initially hired Corbett as a deputy, noted that “He was a dedicated public servant. He never saw the law as a means to make money.” Porter’s characterization underscored a reputation for principled service that extended beyond the courtroom into his volunteer roles in municipal governance.
What’s Next
Governor Scott will be responsible for appointing a successor to fill the Orange County Superior Court judgeship. The timing of Corbett’s death, with the state in the middle of the summer court calendar, may prompt expedited action to minimize disruption to pending cases and trial schedules in Windsor County. The judicial community and local bar associations are expected to provide guidance as the appointment process moves forward.