Vermont HCR 229: House concurrent resolution in memory of respected legal community leader, linguist, and musician Robert D. Rachlin

Bill Text

R-281 Page 1 of 1
2026

VT LEG #388392 v.1
No. R-281. House concurrent resolution in memory of respected legal community
leader, linguist, and musician Robert D. Rachlin.
(H.C.R.229)
Offered by Representatives Dodge of Essex and Ode of Burlington
Whereas, during his long and active life, Bob Rachlin pursued diverse professional and
personal interests with curiosity, discipline, devotion, and intellectual rigor, and
Whereas, whether engaged as an attorney, a role which ranged from the representation
of individuals, small businesses, and major corporations before the Vermont Judiciary to
working pro bono on behalf of federal terrorism detainees held at Guantanamo, Cuba;
serving as a visiting associate professor and trustee at Vermont Law School; performing a
piano concerto or sonata in a chamber ensemble or as a soloist; teaching college students a
foreign language (he was proficient in six); serving as an adjunct lecturer in the German,
Russian, and Hebrew Program at the University of Vermont; or engaged in Jewish studies
with the Burlington Chabad community, he brought an enthusiastic passion to all these
endeavors, and
Whereas, born in West Hartford, Connecticut, Bob Rachlin graduated from Yale
University and the University of Chicago Law School, and
Whereas, in 1959, he moved to St. Johnsbury and established a legal partnership with
John Downs, and with the later addition of Allen Martin, the three attorneys grew their law
firm, Downs Rachlin Martin (DRM), into one of Vermont’s largest and most respected; he
was instrumental in developing the firm’s Burlington office and, for over 60 years, was
one of the State’s leading legal practitioners, and
Whereas, Bob Rachlin’s adventurous curiosity motivated him to earn not only a pilot’s
license, but also the more advanced instrument-landing rating; he also served as a flight
instructor and, for many years, owned his own plane, and
Whereas, when welcoming new attorneys to DRM, he would offer tidbits of legal-
practicing wisdom, such as higher expectations lead to improved performance, integrity is
more important than winning, take the time to communicate clearly and concisely, have
fun and don’t take yourself too seriously, keep your mouth shut when you are winning, and
the sage advice that there is more to life than billing time, and
Whereas, on his death at 89 years of age on December 27, 2025, Bob Rachlin left an
enduring legacy, and his survivors include his wife of 45 years, Catherine; his children;
grandchildren; and great-grandchildren, and many friends and colleagues will fondly miss
him, now therefore be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
That the General Assembly extends its sincere condolences to the family of Robert D.
Rachlin, and be it further
Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
the family of Bob Rachlin and to DRM.