Law FirmLangrock Sperry & Wool, LLP
210 College Street, Suite 400, Burlington, Vermont, 05401
The Guardians of Civil Liberty
Langrock Sperry & Wool, LLP is widely regarded as Vermont's premier "people's law firm," with a history of challenging government and law enforcement that dates back to 1960. Founded by Peter Langrock—a legal legend in the Northeast—the firm has spent over 60 years litigating some of the most sensitive and high-stakes civil rights cases in the region. Their history is defined by a willingness to confront powerful institutions, including state and local police departments, when their actions overstep constitutional boundaries.
The firm's approach to police accountability is rooted in a deep understanding of federal Section 1983 litigation and state-level constitutional protections. Unlike many general practice firms, Langrock has a dedicated bench of trial lawyers, such as Lisa Shelkrot, who specialize in dismantling the defense of qualified immunity. They have a documented history of exposing systemic failures, from illegal surveillance and searches to the use of excessive force during protests and arrests.
Beyond individual misconduct, the firm is known for its "institutional takedown" capability. They have successfully litigated cases against correctional facilities and law enforcement agencies that failed to protect the safety and rights of those in their custody. Their litigation often results in more than just financial recovery; it frequently forces systemic policy changes across Vermont's law enforcement landscape, establishing new legal precedents that protect all citizens from official abuse.
Notable Results
- Decades of landmark civil rights outcomes under both Vermont and federal law
- Go-to firm for victims of police misconduct and constitutional violations in Vermont
- $34 Million Environmental Civil Rights Settlement: While involving corporate and government oversight failures (PFOA contamination), this landmark result showcases the firm's ability to manage massive, systemic litigation that protects the public from institutional negligence.
- Record-Setting Police Misconduct Settlements: The firm has secured numerous confidential 7-figure settlements in cases involving police-involved deaths, excessive force, and jail-related medical neglect.
- Wrongful Conviction Exonerations: They have played key roles in overturning wrongful convictions by exposing police and prosecutorial misconduct, subsequently securing millions for the exonerated through civil litigation.
- Landmark First Amendment Wins: Successfully sued law enforcement agencies for retaliating against citizens for filming police or participating in protected speech.
Key Characteristics
- Standard-bearer for civil rights law in Vermont with the most experience in Vermont-specific constitutional protections
- Deep expertise in the Vermont Human Rights Commission process and state-level civil rights remedies that often exceed federal protections
- Trial-Ready Powerhouse: One of the few Vermont firms with the resources to take complex civil rights cases all the way to a jury verdict.
- Legislative Influence: Many of the firm's partners have shaped the very laws they use to hold police accountable, giving them an "insider" advantage in the courtroom.
- Collaborative Team Model: They utilize a unique collective approach, assigning multiple specialists to high-stakes police misconduct cases to ensure no detail is missed.
- Statewide Presence: With offices in Burlington and Middlebury, they are the dominant force for civil rights litigation throughout the state of Vermont.