Ed Adrian is the author, editor and publisher of Freedom and Ethics. Ed joined Monaghan Safar Ducham in 2014. He brings with him twenty years of practicing law in Vermont, having worked for both private and public sector clients, in the areas of civil, administrative and criminal litigation.
Throughout his career, in numerous and varied contexts, Ed has had to counsel clients on issues of ethics. The creation of the Vermont Ethics Commission presents new opportunities to explore how ethics impact our day-to-day lives. The Commission presents an opportunity to explore how ethics impacts the governmental, social, professional and political fabric of Vermont. Ed’s intention is to help individuals navigate the complexities of this new system.
Ed previously served as a State Prosecuting Attorney with the Vermont Secretary of State’s, Office of Professional Regulation for ten years, the last five as the Chief Prosecuting Attorney. In this capacity, Ed litigated over a thousand cases before various professional Boards including Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy and all of the mental health professions. Ed now helps licensed professionals navigate difficult legal and ethical issues. Ed provides counsel to Vermonters who find themselves having to make difficult decisions in difficult situations. He also serves as Special Disciplinary Counsel for the Professional Responsibility Board, the entity charged with the oversight of attorney ethics
Prior to his service with the State of Vermont, Ed was an associate attorney at another Burlington law firm, representing municipalities and school districts throughout the State. His experience includes practice before the Vermont Environmental, Superior, Supreme and U.S. District Court in a variety of areas, including land use and zoning law and general civil litigation.
During his service as a Deputy State’s Attorney in Franklin County, Ed litigated the entire gamut of criminal matters from Fish and Wildlife cases, to DWIs, to Aggravated Assault. Ed also successfully defended several cases before the Vermont Supreme Court during this timeframe.
Born in Allendale, New Jersey, Ed is a 1992 graduate of the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy and a 1996 graduate of Vermont Law School where he received his J.D. and a Master of Studies in Environmental Law and Policy.
Ed’s service to the legal profession runs deep: between 1999 and 2005, he held every possible leadership position in the Vermont Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division. Ed has also served on the Vermont Bar Association’s Board of Bar Managers and was the Chair of the VBA’s Government Non-Profit Division from 2005-2007. Ed was the District Representative for Maine and Vermont to the American Bar Association/Young Lawyers Division from 2004-2006.
Ed has substantial hands-on policy experience serving local government. In 2007 Ed was elected to serve on the Burlington City Council. During his tenure on the Council, Ed chaired the City Council’s Public Safety, Charter Change and Community and Economic Development Committees. He also served on the Parks, Arts and Culture, and Human Resources and Institutions Committees until his departure in 2012.
Ed lives in Burlington, Vermont with his wife Jen, a graphic designer, and his children Elsa and Henry. When he is not practicing law, Ed enjoys taking advantage of all Vermont has to offer with his family and friends. Ed occasionally blogs on popular culture, Vermont public policy and politics at www.edadrian.com