has been in existence since it was founded in 1948 by William Kissell, Esq. Raymond Massucco, Esq., joined the firm in 1972 as a law clerk and as an associate in 1973 upon successfully passing the Vermont Bar, and became a partner in 1975. He is admitted to practice in all Vermont courts and the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. Stern joined the firm as a partner in April, 2019, after working as
an associate attorney with Hoff Curtis, P.C. in Burlington, Vermont, representing clients in a wide range of matters in criminal and family court. Before that, he clerked both at this firm (then Massucco Law Office) and at Hoff Curtis, where he completed Vermont’s Four-Year Law Office Study Program. Attorney Stern's experience in both litigation and transactional law includes motion and trial practice, and the drafting of appellate briefs to the Vermont Supreme Court, as well as real estate and title work, business formation, probate and estate planning, employment, civil litigation and municipal law. The practice is broad based and community oriented. Real Estate, Estate Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, Litigation in all courts and Business Law form the foundation of the practice in the 21st Century, along with Attorney Massucco's 40 years of municipal law practice and experience. Debra Austin joined the firm in 1984 as a legal secretary. Subsequently she became certified as a paralegal. Austin has experience in all aspects of the firm, including management, with a current focus on our real estate, estate planning and Probate Court practice. She has extensive experience in litigation support, including assisting in court during trials. Rita Gilbride brings a diverse educational and experiential background to her work. With a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology and a Master of Fine Arts from Marywood University in Scranton, PA, she is a longtime artist and a dedicated member of the local arts community. Her wide-ranging career includes positions in banking management and operations, court-reporting proofreading, and arts instruction, and for the last seven years she has worked as a legal assistant and office administrator at multiple law firms. She joined Massucco & Stern in June of 2019, and has quickly become an invaluable member of the team. Rita lives among the backwoods and dirt roads of Chester, Vermont, where she practices a contemplative and creative lifestyle.