Tepper Dardeck & Levins, PLC

Tepper Dardeck & Levins, PLC is a Rutland-based civil litigation firm with nearly 50 years of experience handling personal injury, employment discrimination, medical negligence, and family law matters throughout Vermont. Led by James G. Levins, whose employment discrimination practice has secured substantial settlements including a $1.6 million recovery, the firm maintains a selective caseload ensuring personalized client attention.

About

Tepper Dardeck & Levins, PLC is a civil litigation firm based in Rutland, Vermont, with nearly five decades of experience serving clients throughout the state. Founded in 1975 by Robert Tepper, a former Rutland State's Attorney, and Stephen Dardeck, the firm has grown into a comprehensive legal practice addressing personal injury, employment discrimination, family law, medical negligence, and long-term care disputes.

James G. Levins, the firm's lead attorney, brings four decades of litigation experience and a proven track record of successful case outcomes. His practice focuses on representing individuals who have been harmed by the wrongful conduct of others, with particular emphasis on helping clients rebuild their lives after accidents, discrimination, or institutional failures. Levins maintains a selective caseload, ensuring that each client receives personal attention and direct counsel from initial consultation through case resolution.

The firm's employment discrimination practice has achieved significant financial recoveries. A notable recent success involved representing an employee in a sexual harassment claim against a major franchise operator. The case, which was investigated and supported by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, resulted in a $1.6 million settlement—with $275,000 awarded directly to the firm's client. The settlement also included reform of the defendant's workplace policies and compensation for a dozen additional employees who had experienced similar violations.

Motor vehicle accident cases represent a substantial portion of the firm's work. The firm handles claims arising from negligent driving, including cases involving severe injuries such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage, and wrongful death. Medical negligence cases, which typically face vigorous defense, receive specialized attention from attorneys familiar with the complexities of healthcare liability. The firm also addresses abuse, neglect, and regulatory compliance issues affecting residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Beyond litigation, Tepper Dardeck & Levins provides strategic planning and courtroom representation across civil, criminal, family, and probate matters. The firm emphasizes early case consultation as essential to achieving favorable outcomes and works collaboratively with clients to identify the most appropriate resolution strategy for their circumstances.

The office is located at 73 Center Street in Rutland and maintains standard business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with appointments available outside regular hours. James Levins served as president of the Vermont Association of Justice from June 2020 to June 2021 and has been recognized in Family Law practice by U.S. News & World Report.

Overview compiled from the firm's website