SOUTH ROYALTON — After more than a year of interim leadership, Vermont Law and Graduate School has hired a new president.
Melissa Hoffer, who currently serves as Massachusetts’ climate chief, will begin her tenure Dec. 1, according to a news release from the South Royalton-based school, which is also known as VLGS.
She replaces Rodney Smolla, who served as president from 2022 to 2025. Smolla — who specializes in constitutional and civil liberties law, as well as defamation and libel law — returned to teaching at the school after stepping down as president. Law school dean Beth McCormack and graduate school dean Dan Bromberg have served as interim co-leaders since Smolla left his role as president, according to the release.
Hoffer was selected, in part, because of her background in litigation, regulatory policy and public service, according to the release.
“Melissa Hoffer’s vision and expertise complement the goals and mission of VLGS,” said Board chair Glenn Berger in the release. “Together, we will support up-and-coming law and policy leaders, build broad support for the school’s efforts and ensure its continued success.”
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey appointed Hoffer as the inaugural climate chief for the Office of Climate Innovation and Resilience, which the governor created when she took office in 2023. Prior to that role, Hoffer served as principal deputy general counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency during the Biden administration.
“From advancing clean energy and resilience to making sure our investments reach the neighborhoods that need them most, Melissa has helped our state lead the nation on climate innovation while keeping affordability and opportunity front and center,” Healey said in the release.
Hoffer earned her bachelor’s degree from Hampshire College in Amherst, Mass., her master’s degree in education from the University of Massachusetts and her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law.
“I am honored and thrilled to join Vermont Law and Graduate School as its next president. VLGS has long been a national leader in environmental law and policy and public interest law, and the institution is uniquely positioned to lead in this time of momentous and intersecting challenges,” Hoffer said in the release. “I cannot wait to get to work with the VLGS community and help build on its remarkable legacy of educating leaders who are ready to make a difference.”
