Nancy Waples

Nancy Jear Waples (born October 7, 1960) is an American lawyer who has served as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court since 2022.

Early life and education
Waples is the daughter of Chinese immigrants So Kam "Susie" Jear and Yee Roy Jear; she was born in Toronto, Canada and became a U.S. citizen in 1977. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the College of William & Mary in 1982, and she earned a Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law in 1987.

Legal career
Waples started her legal career serving as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney's office, working in the appeals bureau and trial division under well-known District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. She later served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's office in the District of Vermont, where she served in the criminal division. Prior to her appointment as a judge she worked as a lawyer with the law firm Hoff Curtis where she focused on criminal defense.

Superior court
On December 29, 2014, Governor Peter Shumlin appointed Waples to the Vermont Superior Court to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of judge Geoffrey W. Crawford who was appointed to the Vermont Supreme Court.

Supreme Court
On February 25, 2022, Governor Phil Scott announced the appointment of Waples as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, filling the seat vacated by the resignation of Justice Beth Robinson on November 5, 2021, after Robinson was appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Waples is the first woman of color to serve on the Vermont Supreme Court.

The Vermont Senate confirmed Waples' appointment on March 25, 2022. She was sworn into office on April 15, 2022.

Family
Waples is married to attorney Gregory L. Waples. They are the parents of two sons, one of which practices as an attorney in New York City, while the other serves as a law clerk to the Court of International Trade.