M. Jerome Diamond

M. Jerome Diamond (born March 16, 1942) is a Vermont attorney. He served as Vermont Attorney General from 1975 to 1981, and was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Governor of Vermont in 1980.

Biography

Michael Jerome "Jerry" Diamond^[1] was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 16, 1942.^[2] Diamond was raised in Tennessee, and graduated from George Washington University in 1963. He received a master's degree from the University of Tennessee in 1965 and a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1968. Diamond served on the University of Tennessee faculty as a political science instructor while attending law school.

Diamond was admitted to the bar, and served as law clerk for Judge Ernest W. Gibson, Jr. in 1968 and 1969.^[3] He then moved to Brattleboro to practice law.

In 1970 Governor Deane C. Davis appointed Diamond State's Attorney for Windham County, filling the vacancy created when Judge Gibson’s son, David A. Gibson resigned. Diamond won election to a full term as a Democrat later in 1970. He served from 1970 to 1975.^[4]

In 1974 Diamond was the successful Democratic nominee for Vermont Attorney General. He was reelected in 1978 and served two terms, 1975 to 1981. In 1980 he was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for Governor, losing to incumbent Richard A. Snelling.

After leaving the Attorney General’s office Diamond continued to practice law in Montpelier as a partner in Diamond & Robinson, a firm which includes his son and two stepsons. He served as President of the National Association of Attorneys General in 1980, and remained active with the organization after leaving office.

Diamond was a member of the Vermont Advisory Group for the United States Commission on Civil Rights from 1985 to 2009. He was chairman of the Grants Committee for the Vermont Bar Foundation from 1990-1993. From 1997 to 2007 he was a director of the Vermont Bar Foundation. From 1994 to 2012 Diamond was a trustee of Vermont Law School.

In 2013 Diamond represented Governor Peter Shumlin during negotiations connected to a controversial land deal between Shumlin and his East Montpelier neighbor.^[5]

Sources

1. "Michael Jerome Diamond in Vermont Marriage Records, 1909-2008". Ancestry.com. January 31, 1976. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
2. Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, Volume 17. New Providence, New Jersey: Martindale, LLC. 2001. p. M. Jerome Diamond.
3. Miller, Kelton (April 20, 1974). "And Soon to be Candidate: Jerry Diamond; A State's Attorney for All Seasons". Bennington Banner. Bennington, VT.(Incorrectly indicates that he was born in Tennessee.)
4. Vermont Legislative Directory. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. 1979. p. 198.
5. Stein, Andrew (June 13, 2013). "Both Sides of Shumlin-Dodge Land Deal Lawyer Up". VTDigger. Montpelier, VT.

External links

• M. Jerome Diamond, Founding Partner at Diamond & Robinson, P.C.