Licensed for 12 years

State VT

Acquired 2011

Status
Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

James A. Valente

Criminal defense Attorney at Brattleboro, VT

About
Contact
Reviews
Cost
Resume

Excellent laywer

I hired James for an unusual case and he was superb. He listened...REALLY listened, then he asked questions, presented multiple options and allowed me to make the decision on the course of action. Once I did, he methodically prepared prior to court. He compiled evidence, established timelines and culled the information according to how pertinent and impactful it would be. In court he was articulate and firm without being overly aggressive. During cross examination he showed how, when and where the plaintiff had lied. I received an outcome beyond what I hoped for. While the circumstances of hiring James were tough, his work was beyond reproach. I highly recommend him.

James is excellent

About James

Learn James’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Criminal defense

25%

I started my career as a "conflict counsel," assigned to cases where the public defender had a conflict. I tried many cases large and small to verdict, and developed an understanding of how to defend in a wide variety of situations. Now that I do private defense work, I have much more time to pursue investigation, novel theories of defense, and to spend valuable time with the client.
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11 years, 250 cases
Personal injury

25%

Since I've reduced the amount of criminal work I do, I've increased my personal injury caseload. It may sound odd, but the trial skills developed in criminal court (utilizing the rules of evidence, making quick decisions on your feet) are perfect for civil trial work, too. It's been very rewarding to help injured people get what they're entitled to from those who are too irresponsible or greedy to treat them fairly.
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11 years, 30 cases
Divorce and separation

20%

Divorces are hard for those going through them as well as their lawyer. A person going through a divorce faces the loss of everything they've worked for, time with their children, and an order that can impact their life for years to come. I am not a "bulldog." In my experience, that type of advocacy leads to less resolution, increased attorney's fees, mutual contempt, and it is no more effective (and much less credible) in a courtroom.
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11 years, 75 cases
Wrongful death

15%

I am grateful, in a sense, that death cases are so rare. They demand a great deal of care, and even a great result, in our system, is worthless on its face, because compensating someone for the loss of a loved one is not possible. That said, there is great value in accountability. Pursuing wrongful death suits allows a family to force those who intentionally or negligently take the life of another to stop making excuses and take responsibility - and there is great value in that.
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11 years, 5 cases
DUI and DWI

10%

I've always done a good deal of DUI defense. It is a fairly specific field that requires an understanding of the science of field sobriety tests, the Datamaster breathalyzer machine, and the way a body interacts with alcohol and other medications. Driving is very important and the potential suspension that comes with a DUI conviction has the potential to change a client's life. I take these cases very seriously and work hard to avoid impact on the client's life.
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11 years, 75 cases
Litigation

5%

I've done lead poisoning cases. Restraining orders. I represented two different dogs (through their owners, of course) who municipalities sought to kill. I could go on, but there is a character limit. I enjoy helping people in all kinds of disputes, and our firm's model (all of us have a hand in every case, so you get the benefit of all of our experience, and always have someone to talk to) is very adaptable.
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11 years, 50 cases

I PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO UNDERSTANDING THE CASE, AND MAKING SURE YOU DO, TOO.

I enjoy trying cases. There are fewer and fewer lawyers who go to trial regularly, and I think it's important because every trip to court makes me a better lawyer, and opponents will be more likely to resolve a case favorably if they're worried about our firm's ability to organize the facts and make a persuasive presentation.

I do civil litigation, personal injury, divorce, and criminal defense (both minor and major). I also get involved with litigation that isn't easily categorized (town ordinance issues, worker's compensation claims, restraining orders, etc.)

I am the president of Costello, Valente & Gentry, P.C., where I've worked since 2006. We offer free consultations in all kinds of matters. When we take a case, we use a team-based approach which means that the combined wisdom of all our lawyers helps every single client, and that every client can get in touch with us when they need to.

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Contact James

James A. Valente

(855) 446-7643 Office

51 Putney Road

PO Box 483

Brattleboro, VT, 05301

cvglawoffice.com/

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

2 customer reviews

5 Star

100%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by John | May 23, 2019

Excellent laywer

Read less

Posted by Matthew | April 20, 2017

James is excellent

James helped me out with a criminal defense situation that was causing me a lot of anxiety. He explained the problems, gave me a range of options, and helped advise me on a way to resolve the case without major impact on my life.

Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

President
Costello, Valente & Gentry, P.C.
2013 - Present

Lawyer
Costello, Valente & Gentry, P.C.
2011 - Present

Law Clerk
Costello, Valente & Gentry, P.C.
2006 - 2011

Education

Drew University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2006

Legal Cases

Lott v. O'Neill, 2017 VT 11.
Success at lower level affirmed.

State v. Mottolese, 199 Vt. 470 (2015)
Successful reversal.

State v. Tuma, 194 Vt. 345 (2013).
Success at lower level affirmed.

View all legal cases

Associations

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
2017 - Present

Vermont Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
Board Member
2016 - Present

National College of DUI Defense
Member
2016 - Present

Vermont Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Treasurer
2015 - Present

Vermont Bar Association
Member
2011 - Present

Vermont Association for Justice
Member
2011 - Present

View all associations

Languages Spoken

English

Honors and Awards

Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2017

Top 40 Under 40
National Trial Lawyers
2017

Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2016

40 Under 40
National Trial Lawyers
2016

Rising Star
Vermont Business Magazine
2016

Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2015

Top 40 Under 40
National Trial Lawyers
2015

View all awards

Publications

Vermont Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Newsletter
Good News and Bad News in the Age of Facebook
2017

Speaking Engagements

59th Annual Mid-Year Meeting
Socially Awkward? Can a Profession with Deep Roots in the Past Fully Embrace the Future?
2016

Attorney endorsements

Received (2)

Given (4)

Endorse James

Stephanie McClure

Criminal defense Attorney | Dec 22
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I was co-counsel on a case with Mr. Valente recently in a Brattleboro criminal court. The charges against our client were very serious. James was incredibly diligent, well beyond any co-counsel I'd ever encountered. He is well-respected in the community and there is little doubt the State respects his presence in court."

Matthew Newborn

Litigation Attorney | Jun 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"James is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney. He is also an accomplished leader in the Vermont Bar. I endorse James in civil litigation, personal injury, divorce, and criminal defense."

Stephanie McClure

Criminal defense