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Hoopla @ the Harbor
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The Legal hoopla
The Legal Hoopla will feature a panel of Vermont’s top real estate attorneys, who will dive into the hottest legal topics. Hear real stores, real solutions, and get real insights into how to protect your clients and your business in a constantly evolving market.

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Kevin Shortell – Peet Law Group
Kevin J. Shortell is a Managing Director and co-owner of the Peet Law Group, where he focuses on real estate law. Originally from Belmont, Massachusetts, Kevin graduated from the University of Vermont in 1991 and earned his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law in 1994. While in law school, he received the American Jurisprudence Award for excellence in estate planning.
Kevin began his legal career in 1995 as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Susan L. Fowler of the Chittenden Probate Court in Burlington, Vermont. He went on to spend more than a decade at Morwood & Morwood in South Burlington. In 2007, Kevin joined the Law Offices of Fred V. Peet, P.C., bringing his experience and focus on real estate law to the firm. He lives in South Burlington, Vermont.
Lisa Gale – Gale Legal Group
Lisa has been practicing law in Vermont for 30 years and has owned her own firm for much of that time. She chose to focus on real estate law to build lasting relationships with clients and their families through every stage of life. From buying a first home to planning for retirement, legal needs evolve—and Lisa’s firm is there every step of the way.
Her practice centers on real estate, business law, estate planning, and probate administration—areas that impact most people at some point in their lives. By developing strong, ongoing relationships with clients, Lisa is able to offer more personalized advice and long-term solutions that go beyond a single transaction.
Liz Smith – Vermont Attorneys Title
Liz graduated from St. Michael’s College in 2007, and received her J.D. from Vermont Law School in 2011. While in law school, Liz clerked for Judge Thomas Durkin in the Environmental Division of the Vermont Superior Court. After graduating, Liz worked in private practice, focusing on real estate, before joining the VATC team in 2016. She is a member of the VBA Title Standards and currently serves as Chair of the Committee.
Benjamin W. Putnam, Esq. – Putnam & Menard Attorneys at Law
Benj enjoys the diversity of a rural law practice, which allows him to tackle a wide and ever-changing variety of legal challenges. Benj has successfully closed numerous real estate and business transactions; he works hard to resolve disputes both in and out of court and Benj provides thoughtful and practical advice in the areas of estate planning, trust and estate administration, and land use and permitting issues.
After attending local Addison County schools, Benj attended college and law school in California and Texas; participated in an international moot arbitration competition in Vienna, Austria; and completed an internship at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania. He eventually returned to Vermont, where he served as law clerk to the Hon. William K. Sessions, III, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont. After his clerkship, Benj was excited to devote his skills and energy to serving clients here in the greater Addison County community and throughout Vermont.