The Theresa Foundation has named James A. Caffry, Waitsfield, attorney and partner at Caffry & Keating PLLC, the 2025 recipient of the Theresa Award. This award recognizes a National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) member who has demonstrated dedication to advocating for individuals with disabilities.
Caffry has spent almost two decades working for individuals with disabilities. As a leader in special needs law, he has worked tirelessly to advance the rights, opportunities, and resources available to this community.
Caffry has served on numerous boards and initiatives in Vermont, prioritizing the voices of individuals with disabilities and ensuring programs address their needs. Among his accomplishments, he played key roles in the Vermont Development Services Payment Reform Advisory Committee, the Vermont Autism Task Force, and served on the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council. His work exemplifies a commitment to strengthening the networks and systems that support families and individuals navigating the challenges of living with disabilities.
“Jim’s dedication to improving the lives of others is remarkable,” Russo shared. “The Theresa Foundation is honored to recognize him for his tireless advocacy, his leadership on a national scale, and his unwavering vision for a more inclusive society. He represents the very best in what the legal profession can achieve when compassion and expertise come together,” said Vincent J. Russo, co-founder of the Theresa Foundation
“This recognition is humbling and a reflection of all the families, professionals, and advocates I’ve had the privilege to work alongside,” Caffry noted. “Being part of their journeys is the real honor.”
Caffry was honored at the NAELA Annual Conference on May 9, 2025, in Bellevue, Washington. The Theresa Foundation donated $5,000 in his name to Riverflow Community. Riverflow Community members with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities form friendships, gain vocational skills, and pursue dignified, self-directed lives. To learn more, visit www.riverflowcommunity.org.
