Rosette, LLP, a majority – Indian owned national law firm, specializing in the practice of federal Indian law, is pleased to announce that attorney Christopher "Chris" Deschene has joined its team as a Partner in its Washington, D.C. office. Chris will lead the Firm's energy development practice.
"Chris is a national leader well respected by his peers, tribal leaders, business managers and his community. As a member of the Navajo Nation, Chris' military and public career and record stem from his traditional values of service and defense for the benefit of the greater community," says Robert Rosette, Partner, Rosette, LLP. "Chris' talents, skills and experience as a Federal Indian law attorney, mechanical engineer, and former senior official within the Obama Administration, will help tribes and their partners protect their resources, defend their communities, and advance their missions as they work to strengthen their sovereignty."
"I am honored to join Rosette, LLP's Washington, D.C. office and lead the Firm's energy development practice," says Chris Deschene. "I look forward to continuing the work necessary to protect and advance tribal sovereignty within the energy and natural resources industries. By working with tribal leaders and their partners, I believe tribes have the capacity and potential to change the framework of Indian energy development for their benefit and Indian Country."
Recently, Chris completed a two-year distinguished term as the Director of the Office of Indian Energy within the U.S. Department of Energy. As Director, Chris oversaw the development and deployment of key initiatives to spur investment, deployment and management of Indian Country energy projects nationally. Renowned for his vision, decisiveness and communicative abilities, Chris has built successful teams and initiatives to change the tribal energy industry and framework for tribal communities.
Prior to his service in government, he spent ten years as a partner with the Law Offices of Schaff & Clark Deschene, LLC, focusing largely on business and energy development on tribal, state, and federal lands. He has extensive knowledge of power generation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy development, oil and gas development, utility formation, water, natural resource, energy and environmental policy development, tribal and federal administrative and regulatory permitting, energy contracting and negotiations. He has served as general counsel and advisor to tribes, tribal energy partnerships and non-Indian energy and business entities.
As a former member of the Arizona House of Representatives, Chris has extensive government and legislative experience. Chris has also served honorably within the U.S. Marine Corps, completing two tours in the Persian Gulf, first in the infantry and then with the reconnaissance units. He holds a rank of Major, U.S.M.C.R. (ret.).
Chris earned his J.D. from Arizona State University's College of Law and his M.S.M.E. from Arizona State University's Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department. He is a graduate from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland and has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
