Editor’s note: This article is by Jordan Cuddemi of the Valley News, in which it was first published Oct. 14, 2014.
WOODSTOCK — Judges and attorneys who know Windsor Superior Court Judge Harold “Duke” Eaton Jr. say his appointment to the Vermont Supreme Court reflects his ability to set politics aside in his rulings.
“That, to me, speaks to the fact of what an outstanding person he is,” Windsor County Assistant Judge David Singer said. “He tries to do what is best for all parties that appear before him.”
Norwich attorney Wayne Young, who worked in Eaton’s Woodstock law firm for about seven years starting in the late 1990s, said Eaton has a deep-seated appreciation for the state’s legal culture.
“The best evidence of Judge Eaton’s bipartisan appeal is that he was appointed to the Superior Court by a Republican and to the Supreme Court by a Democrat,” Young said. “I expect the people of Vermont will be well served by Judge Eaton’s appointment.”
Gov. Peter Shumlin appointed Eaton to serve on the five-member Vermont Supreme Court on Monday, a decade after former Republican Gov. Jim Douglas appointed him a trial court judge. The state Senate must confirm Eaton’s selection.
“Duke is a person of remarkable compassion with a deep understanding of our judiciary at all levels,” Shumlin said in a news release announcing the nomination. “His deep sense of fairness and long-standing commitment to our courts make him an excellent addition to our Supreme Court.”
Eaton, who attended Woodstock Union High School, the University of Vermont and Vermont Law School, has practiced law privately for 21 years, handling a variety of civil matters. He has held the title of deputy state’s attorney in Chittenden County and is the first graduate of VLS to serve on the Vermont Supreme Court, the news release stated.
Eaton, 59, said he was honored to be selected as a justice.
“There is always a lot of qualified candidates and for the governor to pick me is very humbling,” Eaton said in an interview on Monday.
Eaton said submerging himself in all things Vermont has helped him earn a spot on the state’s highest court.
“I think that having a good sense of the people who appear in front of you helps you to do a good job,” Eaton said. “I have been fortunate to grow up with people in this state and I understand the challenges they face and where they are coming from.”
Eaton, who considers himself an independent, said “politics aren’t a part of justice” and his appointments speak to his “fairness” on the bench.
An avid skier and golfer, Eaton resides in Woodstock with his wife and has one son and three stepchildren.
The lifelong sports enthusiast has played in a men’s hockey league with former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.
Eaton, who was born in Windsor and given the nickname “Duke” after Duke Snider, center fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers, also frequents Dartmouth College sporting events.
“I was born in 1955 and Duke Snider had a very good year that year,” Eaton said.
Vermont Law School President and Dean Marc Mihaly said the school was pleased to hear of Eaton’s appointment.
“Judge Eaton embodies the VLS mission of service and commitment to making a difference in our communities,” Mihaly said in a prepared statement. “He has a long history of making our legal system more accessible to Vermonters. We look forward to his service in our state’s highest court.”
Eaton will fill Justice Geoffrey Crawford’s seat on the bench. Crawford was appointed to the federal district court in May.
Eaton comes from a law-practicing family. His father, who worked in the post office in Woodstock for decades, served as an assistant judge for Windsor County for eight years, while his mother served as the first director of what is known now as the Vermont Judicial Bureau in White River Junction, the news release stated.
Windsor County Assistant Judge Jack Anderson said Eaton is “the kind of guy you want to be around. He is generous and he has a great sense of humor. I admire the way he does things and it was a pleasure to sit with him. That’s the good news. The bad news is I won’t be able to work with him now.”
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.
