William Cohen, a Vermont Supreme Court associate justice, plans to step down before the end of the year.

He informed Gov. Phil Scott of his decision in a retirement letter dated July 28, and Scott confirmed the justice’s plan Thursday.

“He was a great appointment,” Scott said at his weekly press conference.

Cohen joined the state’s highest court in 2019 after two decades as a trial judge. In his resignation letter, Cohen described himself as the longest active member of the state judiciary.

Earlier this year, Associate Justice Karen Carroll also announced her plans to step down . Scott said the judicial nominating board has submitted names of potential candidates, and his administration would be reviewing possible replacements for both vacancies.

Prior to becoming a judge, Cohen,

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