Rebecca Stearns - Costello Valente Group, P.C.

Legal Assistant

CVG News

From Setback to Success: Sarah Sanchez’s Path to Practicing Law

August 5, 2025

By Meghan Gravel Sarah Sanchez had dreams of attending a four-year university, moving away from home…Read more

No law school needed: Legal assistant becomes lawyer

April 27, 2020

By Chris Mays, Brattleboro Reformer BRATTLEBORO — As a legal assistant, Sarah Sanchez was becoming k…Read more

Mount Snow files suit vs. beer company

December 13, 2019

By Chris Mays, Brattleboro Reformer NEWFANE — Alleging breach of contract, Mount Snow is suing a bee…Read more

Pharmacist questions opioid lawsuits

November 21, 2019

By Chris Mays, Brattleboro Reformer BRATTLEBORO — As the town considers joining two lawsuits to reco…Read more

Suit claims DCF failed to protect children from years of abuse.

November 6, 2019

The grandparents of two children are suing the state’s Department for Children and Families for igno…Read more

‘War on Terror’timely subject of veterans recognition program

October 30, 2019

Posted Monday, October 28, 2019 8:09 pmBy Susan Smallheer, Brattleboro Reformer BRATTLEBORO — Tom Co…Read more

Judge sides with DOC in withholding inmate death investigation records

September 23, 2019

https://vtdigger.org/2019/09/20/judge-sides-with-doc-in-withholding-inmate-death-investigation/…Read more

Springfield man sues nursing home after sewage flood

March 19, 2019

SPRINGFIELD—Russell Grochowik was asleep when he heard what sounded like water rushing from his bath…Read more

Lawsuit alleges neglect led to death of inmate “in the hole”

March 19, 2019

A lawsuit alleges that a Vermont inmate undergoing drug withdrawal and placed in solitary confinemen…Read more

Lawsuit filed after inmate dies despite complaints of pain

March 6, 2019

SWANTON, Vt. —In 2016 a Vermont inmate died while in the custody of the Department of Corrections. A…Read more

Lawsuit: Inmate Died After Being Held in Solitary for Drug Withdrawal

February 20, 2019

A Vermont prison inmate was placed in solitary confinement for drug withdrawal and died for want of…Read more

West Dover wastewater not under the bridge

February 19, 2019

NEWFANE — A West Dover business owner is suing the North Branch Fire District No. 1 over a wastewate…Read more

Lawsuit challenging Vermont’s education funding formula moving forward

December 11, 2018

"The fundamental issue as it relates to Whitingham is that they are paying very high taxes as if the…Read more

Town asks for more school data

October 9, 2018

NEWFANE — In a case over education funding, the state did not object to a chart submitted to the cou…Read more

Colo. group turns to local court

September 24, 2018

NEWFANE — Consultants in Colorado want their money for work done on behalf of the Hermitage Club as…Read more

Judge to set path of school funding case

September 7, 2018

NEWFANE — Judge Robert Gerety will decide whether attorneys present more evidence in a case against…Read more

State Asks Judge To Dismiss Education Fund Lawsuit Filed By Town Of Whitingham

September 6, 2018

The state wants a judge to dismiss a lawsuit that challenges Vermont’s public education funding syst…Read more

Civil suit filed in 2016 UTV death

June 29, 2018

NEWFANE — The mother of a woman who was killed in a UTV crash in Westminster in 2016 has filed a civ…Read more

Whitingham prepares for legal battle with state over education funding

November 14, 2017

WHITINGHAM — An attorney working on suing the state on behalf of the town, a taxpayer and a student,…Read more

Special Event to Help Vets

November 7, 2017

BRATTLEBORO — To honor and assist our community's veterans, a special event is being offered by Cost…Read more

NECCA Turmoil Continues

July 14, 2017

BRATTLEBORO — Coaches at the New England Center for Circus Arts are resigning and students are askin…Read more

Mock trial team coached by Valente earns “Best Defense Team” in statewide competition

July 7, 2017

The Vermont Bar Association was pleased to collaborate with the Unites States District Court for the…Read more

Costello, Valente & Gentry, P.C. named Best Real Estate Firm by Vermont Business Magazine

April 4, 2017

Introducing the Best of Business Awards, the first EVER Vermont Business Magazine readers poll of th…Read more

Court News: Valente receives appointment to PRB

February 24, 2017

BRATTLEBORO — Attorney James A. Valente, has been appointed to the Vermont Judiciary Professional Re…Read more

Report finds discrimination in VT marijuana registry

February 15, 2017

MONTPELIER – The Vermont Department of Public Safety illegally discriminated against a man who sough…Read more

State awards $500,000 to Father and Estate of Dezirae Sheldon

February 10, 2017

Dezirae Sheldon was an infant who suffered two broken legs under the care of Dezirae's mother's boyf…Read more

Vt. Supreme Court orders a hold on assets of alleged killer

February 3, 2017

BRATTLEBORO — Attorneys representing the estate of a Townshend man who was shot to death in November…Read more

Man found not guilty in alleged assault

December 8, 2016

BRATTLEBORO — A Saxtons River man was found not guilty by a jury of disorderly conduct and simple as…Read more

Students in the news: From KOA to Cambridge, Mass

August 31, 2016

BRATTLEBORO >> This fall, Justin Kenney, a 2010 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, and…Read more

Board continues to grapple with disputes related to dog attacks

May 11, 2016

HALIFAX—At a specially noticed public meeting of the Selectboard May 9, officials returned to the qu…Read more

Valente Wins Suppression of Improperly Coerced Confession in Aggravated Sex Assault Case

January 6, 2016

On January 6, 2016, James Valente of Costello, Valente & Gentry, P.C. won an order suppressing s…Read more

Valente secures two reversals in one day from Vermont Supreme Court.

June 12, 2015

On June 12, 2015, the Vermont Supreme Court reversed two trial court judgments on behalf of clients…Read more

Costello Organizes Civil War Sesquicentennial Event

May 24, 2015

On Memorial Day (May 24, 2015) Tom Costello organized a free series of civil war lectures by notable…Read more