Joe Galanes, Member of Biggam, Fox & Skinner

I have been with the firm for more than a decade, and I am a partner. I am a native Vermonter, and I grew up in Brattleboro. My father owned a sports shop on Main Street in Brattleboro when I was growing up.

I specialize in representing injured workers in their workers’ compensation claims and people who have been injured due to the negligence of others. I get excited about championing the underdog or someone who has been treated unfairly.

I enjoy technical medical and legal issues and pushing for what I think is right even if it is not a popular position or even if it may be very difficult or time-consuming.

A recent case involves the family of a deceased firefighter who try to get the WC benefits they deserve. This case has taken a lot of time and involves complicated medical testimony and legal argument. While appealing the case to the Vermont Supreme Court, the Vermont Legislature created a presumption to cover the unfairness I am seeking to prevent in the case, but since it doesn’t cover our clients in this case, I may be fighting an uphill battle. But I am passionate about my position and it is the right thing to do.

When I was younger, I was involved in competitive skiing and I was an NCAA four time All American, and competed in the 1988 Calgary Olympics.