By Virginia Dean
Woodstock resident Ward Goodenough is an archetypal product of Windsor County, not only because he simply loves it, but because he is determined to maintain its safety and protect its victims.
After all, his mother is Vermont state Sen. Alison Clarkson (D-Woodstock) and his father is Oliver Goodenough, a professor of law at the Vermont Law School and the Executive Director of its Center for Legal Innovation.
But, perhaps more than that, it is his steadfast resolve that has just landed Goodenough the position of Windsor County state’s attorney, following David Cahill’s resignation last month. Ward was sworn in Feb. 3. The term will expire November 2022.
“Growing up in Windsor County gives me a unique perspective on its criminal cases,” said Goodenough. ”I consider myself very lucky to have been raised here and feel a deep sense of obligation to serve this county and protect it from threats to public safety. I am deeply committed to protecting our communities and have seen the destructive ripple effects that violence and crime can have on our families and towns.”
Witnessing individuals who have struggled with substance abuse or mental health issues for years, for example, has provided Goodenough with a “never-ending motivation to work with our community partners and lawmakers to make affordable and comprehensive treatment options available,” he said.
Goodenough has served as a deputy state’s attorney in Rutland and Windsor counties since 2015 with an annual caseload of over 300. He was also a Woodstock Village Trustee.
“As a deputy state’s attorney, some degree of triage was always going to be necessary,” said Goodenough. “On any given day, there might have been 20 or 30 cases being heard at court. Emergencies and serious public safety issues are always going to take precedence but to balance those with the rest of our regular workday required good teamwork within the office and strong organizational tools.”
Goodenough’s caseload ranged from disorderly conduct to kidnapping and aggravated domestic assault. He is currently responsible for prosecuting cases in the northern half of Windsor County.
The route to Goodenough’s new position came about as a result of Gov. Phil Scott receiving nominations from the Windsor County Democratic Committee to fill the vacancy.
“Vermont’s states attorneys play a critical role in our justice system,” said Scott, “and Vermonters look to them to ensure our communities are kept safe and people are prosecuted fairly. Ward made clear he would hold criminals fully accountable. His experience as a deputy state’s attorney, perspective as a volunteer firefighter and relationships with local law enforcement will also serve him well.”
The Windsor County state’s attorney salary is $116,500.
Goodenough recently expressed his gratitude to the governor.
“I want to thank governor Scott for this appointment,” said Goodenough. “I look forward to working to achieve outcomes that protect victims, reduce recidivism and curb the cycle of violence. I look forward to working with Scott’s administration in our shared mission of protecting the public.”
With a desire to return home to Vermont after receiving an M.A. in history and politics from the University of Edinburgh, the Vermont Law School gave Goodenough the ability to enter a career as a prosecutor. He graduated from VLS in 2015.
“Working with (Attorney General) TJ Donovan was an early education for me in the way prosecutors can use their position to serve their community,” said Goodenough. “The lack of partisanship and slow bureaucratic process in being a prosecutor also appealed to me.”
One of the elements of that acquired knowledge was the importance of the role of communication, especially with team projects involving the assistance of law enforcement agencies with active investigations.
“Good communication is crucial in these cases because it helps you get the best outcomes,” Goodenough said.
That same kind of strong communication also ensures exigent incidents or emergencies that get the same kind of rapid response they need from the state’s attorney’s office and the agencies involved.
“Internally, each criminal case our office handles typically involves close coordination between our attorneys, victims’ advocates, and administrative assistants,” said Goodenough. “Whether it is making sure we have the most accurate contact information for a witness or that we have a good sense of how impacted a victim has been by an event, good coordination within the office is always necessary for us to seek just outcomes in cases.”
Recently, and in reaction to his latest appointment, Goodenough’s parents expressed their joy.
“We are very proud of Ward’s appointment and delighted he has managed to balance his mother’s call to service and his father’s profession in the law,” Clarkson said.
In his spare time, Goodenough enjoys skiing, soccer, live music and board games.
