Sylvester & Maley was founded in Burlington, Vermont in 1975 for the purpose of representing injured victims and their families. Since that time, we have successfully handled personal injury cases of local and national significance in a number of areas, including:

• automobile accidents
• defective products
• medical malpractice
• pharmaceuticals
• recreational accidents
• liquor server's liability
• carbon monoxide poisoning
• sexual abuse.

Every member of our firm has extensive involvement in successfully handling a wide range of cases, from the non-catastrophic cases to cases ranging from $1 million up to $5.4 million. The firm has achieved outstanding results for our clients. Some of the more noteworthy results in recent years include the following: in 2006, Chris Maley recovered $2,375,000.00 in a medical malpractice case involving the negligent delay in diagnosis of prostate cancer. That same year, John Maley and Chris Maley settled a medical malpractice case alleging negligence resulting in cerebral palsy and the premature death of a young child. At the request of the defendant, the amount of this settlement is confidential. In 2005, Alan Sylvester and Michael Brow recovered $2,500,000.00 in a recreational boating accident case. In 2004, Alan and Chris recovered $5,400,000.00 in a personal injury case involving wrongful death. In 2003, John and Chris Maley settled, just prior to closing arguments, a United States District Court personal injury motor vehicle accident suit for $2,925,000.00. That same year, Alan Sylvester, Michael Brow and Amy Sylvester obtained a jury verdict in a wrongful death case in the United States District Court for $2,522,193.00, the largest verdict in the history of the state for this type of case.

The excellence of Sylvester & Maley's trial attorneys is reflected in the recognition we have received and the organizations we support. Sylvester & Maley received the highest rating for law firms in the nationally recognized Martindale-Hubbell publication since 1978, and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Attorneys. The named partners of our firm are members of the American College of Trial Lawyers. The attorneys of our firm have held positions in a number of professional organizations including President of the County Bar Association and President and board members of the State's Trial Lawyer's Association. They have also served on a number of professional organizations, including the Judicial Nominating Committee, the Board of Bar Examiners, and the Professional Conduct Committee.

At Sylvester & Maley, we offer a free initial consultation. We also represent the great majority of our clients on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no legal fee or expenses until we have successfully resolved your claim at trial or in settlement.

If you believe we can be of any assistance, please contact us for a free initial consultation and case evaluation.

Sylvester & Maley represents individuals who have been injured throughout Vermont as well as Vermont residents who have been injured out of state.

Attorney Referrals

Sylvester & Maley provides referral fees to referring attorneys within the statutes and ethical guidelines of their respective states and jurisdictions. Many attorneys refer cases to us for a variety of reasons including cases that arise in our areas where we have a demonstrated history of success, cases that require extensive commitment of time and resources, or cases that present complex or unusual legal issues.

Sylvester & Maley also regularly represents out-of-state residents who are in Vermont, traveling through, vacationing, attending college, or who have received medical treatment at one of the many institutions in Vermont.

If you are interested in referrals to Sylvester & Maley we would gladly confer and cooperate with you to assist you and your client.