Christopher M. Perra
Christopher M. Perra is the youngest of nine children, and was born and educated in Massachusetts before moving to Vermont to attend law school in 1996. He graduated with a Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School in May, 1999 and received his Master of Studies in Environmental Law in December of that same year.
During his studies at Vermont Law School, Chris interned with the Planning and Zoning Office of the City of Lebanon, New Hampshire, as well as with the State of Vermont Legislative Council. He also worked as an independent consultant researching real estate issues and assisting in real estate transactions for the Law Office of Fred Peet, P.C. and researching pharmaceutical, telecommunication and energy regulations and legislation for PM Industrial Economics, Inc. During the summer between his first and second years at Vermont Law School, Chris was employed as an elections adjudicator for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). He was assigned to determine refugee voting eligibility and conduct field investigations throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina to ensure compliance with voter eligibility and registration regulations in the months leading to the municipal elections of 1997.
Chris joined the U.S. Navy Reserve upon graduating from High School. He was last assigned as an intelligence analyst with the Joint Forces Intelligence Command, Unit 0193 serving as Chief Petty Officer in charge of the production department. Chris concluded his Navy service in 2002 with the rate of Chief Petty Officer. During his service he was awarded, amongst others, the Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak cluster, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M for Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia) Mobilization, and the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal.
In the spring of 2008 Chris was sworn in as a First Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General Corps in Vermont Army National Guard. He deployed to Afghanistan with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) in 2010 where he was promoted to Captain. He is currently attached to the Vermont National Guard, Joint Forces Headquarters, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. During his service with the Army he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Afghan Campaign Medal, Global War of Terror Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, 2nd M to the Armed Forces Reserve Medal for Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) Mobilization and NATO Non-Article 5 Medal with ISAF Clasp.
