Release: Jacobsen, Frye Join VAAP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2026
VAAP Welcomes Attorneys Erin Jacobsen and Maggie Frye as Practice Development Fellows
Today, the Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP; www.vaapvt.org) is proud to announce that Vermont attorneys Erin Jacobsen and Margaret “Maggie” Frye are joining our staff as Practice Development Fellows. More information about the program is available here: https://www.vaapvt.org/openings.
This innovative initiative strengthens Vermont’s immigration legal services ecosystem by investing simultaneously in durable practice infrastructure and an immediate expansion of direct legal services. The program pairs advanced-career attorneys interested in launching solo or small immigration law practices in Vermont with systems-building, mentorship, and supported representation experience—ensuring both near-term impact and long-term capacity.
Erin Jacobsen, Esq. brings extensive experience in immigration legal practice and organizational development, with a career spanning direct representation, public leadership, and legal education. She has represented immigrants and asylum seekers, taught and supervised doctrinal and clinical immigration law at Vermont Law & Graduate School, and most recently served as Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Burlington, where she led complex organizational and policy initiatives.
Maggie Frye, Esq. brings deep roots in Vermont’s civil legal services community and significant experience in pro bono mobilization and program leadership. After more than a decade at Legal Services Vermont, most recently as Managing Attorney, she has led statewide initiatives expanding access to justice and supervising high-impact legal services programs—including the development and delivery of the highly impactful Rent Escrow Clinic program, a model being adapted by VAAP.
Both fellows are committed to continuing long-term immigration legal practice in Vermont following the conclusion of their fellowships, whether through solo practice or pro bono service, while providing immediate additional capacity to VAAP’s legal services and operations.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Erin and Maggie to VAAP and deeply proud of what this fellowship represents,” said Jill Martin Diaz, Esq., Executive Director of VAAP. “Because of the generosity and trust of our many funders and community supporters, we were able to make strategic hires of experienced lawyers and leaders who can meet urgent needs while helping build the durable infrastructure Vermont’s immigration legal services require.”
VAAP emphasized that the Practice Development Fellowship Program is the result of collective investment from a broad range of philanthropic, public, and community supporters committed to immigrant justice. Martin Diaz also noted that a just-announced $50,000 award from the Vermont Immigration Legal Defense Fund (VILDF), VAAP's third award from the VILDF to date, helped make these hires "feel sustainable rather than stop-gap" and reflects growing statewide momentum to expand access to high-quality immigration representation.
“I’m so proud Vermonters have stepped up to support the VILDF, so we are in a position to help organizations like VAAP expand their impact and help our most vulnerable neighbors,” said State Treasurer Mike Pieciak, VILDF co-founder. “Immigration lawyers working on the frontlines to defend justice and our rights are truly the best of America.”
VAAP extends its sincere gratitude to all of the funders, partners, and individual supporters whose sustained commitment made this new initiative possible. Welcome, Erin. Welcome, Maggie.
More information about the fellowship program and VAAP’s ongoing work will be available at www.vaapvt.org/newsletters.
Media Contact: Jill Martin Diaz, Executive Director, at info@vaapvt.org or 802-999-5654.
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