Walter E. Judge

Walter E. Judge is Of Counsel at DRM in Burlington, Vermont, and a trial lawyer who represents businesses in state and federal courts in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine. His practice includes Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Insurance Litigation, Trade Secrets, trademark and false advertising disputes, and personal injury and property damage defense. He represents property owners, manufacturers, automobile companies, food businesses, and other clients in trials, appeals, mediations, and arbitrations involving commercial and liability claims.

Walter earned a J.D., cum laude, from Boston College Law School, an M.A. in International Affairs from Columbia University as a Presidential Scholar, and a B.A. in History from Colby College. His academic background supports a practice requiring detailed legal analysis, persuasive writing, and the ability to understand complicated business and technical disputes. Those skills are reinforced by nearly three decades of trial experience, allowing him to evaluate evidence, prepare witnesses, develop litigation strategy, and present complex issues clearly to judges, juries, and opposing parties.

Walter has tried liability and commercial cases for decades and has obtained significant verdicts and settlements for business clients. His experience includes trade secret disputes, premises liability, products liability, trademark cases, consumer protection claims, and insurance-related litigation. He has won defense verdicts for retailers, individuals, and manufacturers and has handled appeals in reported cases. He has also served as an acting Small Claims judge in Vermont and contributes legal updates on trade secrets, non-competition agreements, employee loyalty, and other business litigation topics.

Walter E. Judge is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and several national defense and trial organizations, including DRI, IADC, and FDCC. He has been listed in Best Lawyers for Commercial Litigation and recognized by Chambers USA and other legal publications. His long trial record, business-defense focus, and intellectual property experience help clients respond to high-stakes disputes with disciplined preparation, practical case evaluation, and a readiness to pursue resolution through negotiation, arbitration, trial, or appeal when necessary.

Law Office Affiliations

• Of Counsel, Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Member, Maine State Bar Association
• Various Committee Leaderships, Vermont Bar Association
• Member and Former State Representative for Vermont, Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• Member, American Bar Association
• Founding Member, Tri-State Defense Lawyers Association (Maine, NH, and Vermont)
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
• Member, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
• Member, Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC)

Licensed State

• Massachusetts
• Maine
• Vermont

Education

• Boston College Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Columbia University
  Master of Arts (MA)
• Colby College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges