Nancy J. Waples at a glance
- Current role
- Justice
- Jurisdiction
- Vermont · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nancy J. Waples
Justice · Supreme Court of Vermont
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Biography
Professional career
- Vermont Supreme Court associate justice; appointed by Governor Phil Scott on February 25, 2022, to succeed Beth Robinson and sworn in April 15, 2022, as the 137th justice
- Vermont Superior Court judge, 2015–2022; appointed by Governor Peter Shumlin and heard criminal, civil, juvenile and family matters across the state.
- Assistant U.S. attorney in Vermont and assistant district attorney in Manhattan, working in the appeals bureau and trial division
- Criminal-defense attorney in private practice and Criminal Justice Act coordinator for Vermont, liaising between federal courts and attorneys representing indigent clients
Education
- St. John’s University School of Law — J.D. (1987)
- the College of William & Mary — B.A. (1982)
Additional information
- Excellence in Public Leadership Award, St. John's University School of Law, 2026.
- Born October 7, 1960, in Toronto to Chinese immigrants So Kam “Susie” Jear and Yee Roy Jear; became a U.S. citizen in 1977 and a Vermont resident in 1993.
- First person of color and first woman of color to serve on the court.
- Co-chair of the Commission on Mental Health and the Courts and chair of the Court Operations Technology Committee; member of the Criminal Procedure Advisory Committee, Criminal Oversight Advisory Committee and Treatment Courts Executive Committee.
- Participates in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
- Married to Gregory Waples, chief of appeals in the Vermont U.S. Attorney's Office; has two sons, three cats and four dogs.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Exhibits
Statewide
Vermont Judiciary directs users to upload non-flat-PDF digital exhibits, including audio, video, and active hyperlinks, through its Digital Evidence Portal; flat PDFs should not be filed in that portal.
The Digital Evidence Portal is to be used solely for uploading exhibits in file formats other than flat PDF format. Examples ... include audio recordings, video recordings, or active hyperlinks to web-based content. Flat PDF files should not be filed in the Digital Evidence Portal.Vermont Judiciary Digital Evidence Portal ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Vermont General Assembly official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Vermont General Assembly official judicial roster ↗Vermont Judiciary Digital Evidence Portal
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 27, 2026
View Vermont Judiciary Digital Evidence Portal ↗Governor Phil Scott Appoints Nancy Waples to the Vermont Supreme Court | Office of Governor Phil Scott
Biography Or Service source · HTML · Source checked October 4, 2026
View Governor Phil Scott Appoints Nancy Waples to the Vermont Supreme Court | Office of Governor Phil Scott ↗