Zachary Handelman

Zachary Handelman is an associate attorney with SP&F Attorneys in Burlington, Vermont. He practices municipal law, education law, environmental law, and litigation, including issues involving land use and zoning. His work draws on the firm’s representation of Vermont communities and his experience with the Environmental Division of the Vermont Superior Court. He helps address legal questions at the intersection of local government, environmental oversight, and contested development.

Handelman earned a B.S. from the University of Vermont in 2019 and a J.D., magna cum laude, from Vermont Law School in 2023. During law school, he served as managing editor of the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. He also completed internships with Vermont Legal Aid, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the Vermont Natural Resources Council, gaining experience with public interest and environmental legal issues.

Handelman joined SP&F in September 2025 after clerking for the Environmental Division of the Vermont Superior Court. In that role, he worked on matters involving land use, zoning, and environmental litigation and gained experience with judicial research and decision-making. His clerkship followed legal work with government and nonprofit organizations, giving him a perspective on how regulatory decisions affect municipalities, community members, and property interests.

Zachary Handelman brings courtroom-related research, environmental law training, and public-sector experience to his municipal practice. He works on legal issues that may require close attention to local ordinances, development approvals, and the administrative and judicial processes that govern them. His background in the Environmental Division and with Vermont environmental organizations informs his approach to identifying relevant legal requirements and evaluating disputed land use matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, SP&F Attorneys
• Member, Vermont Bar Association

Licensed State

• Vermont

Education

• Vermont Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• The University of Vermont
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges