Gov. Phil Scott names Christina Nolan, Michael Drescher to state Supreme Court

Christina Nolan, a native Vermonter, of Burlington, has focused on complex civil litigation, government enforcement actions, false claims act, white collar, felony criminal defense, and internal investigations. Having previously served as a state and federal prosecutor, Nolan has tried more than a dozen cases to juries and appeared several times before the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Nolan was employed from 2010 to 2021 at the US Attorney’s Office in Vermont (USAO), serving first as an assistant US attorney in the criminal division for nearly eight years, and then as a US attorney. Following the bipartisan recommendation of Sen. Patrick Leahy and Gov. Phil Scott, Christina was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate.

Following law school, Michael Drescher, of Hinesburg, was a law clerk to Judge Fred I. Parker, who was then Vermont’s judge on the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. After clerking for Judge Parker, Drescher went to work for the law firm now known as Sheehey, Furlong, & Behm, PC in Burlington, becoming a partner in 2000. At the firm, Drescher litigated in Vermont Superior Court, before the Public Service Board (now known as the public utility commission), and in federal court. In late 2001, US Attorney for the District of Vermont Peter Hall hired Drescher as an assistant US attorney. Since January 2002, Drescher has served as an assistant US attorney, including as first assistant US attorney (the number two position in the office) and, following the resignation of US Attorney Nikolas Kerest, has led the office, managing a team of approximately 50 attorneys, investigators, and other legal professionals.

Drescher graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in mathematics and earned a law degree from Northwestern University in Chicago. He is married to Christina Drescher. They have two daughters who currently live in the Boston area.

Both Nolan and Drescher were forwarded to the governor on a list of candidates deemed well qualified by the Judicial Nominating Board. Their swearing-in ceremonies will be announced at a later date.