Bio
Based in the firm’s Bend, Oregon office, Ms. Desmond has developed a broad water, natural resources, and environmental law practice advising local irrigation, drainage, and water districts, municipalities, private landowners, and rural water users.
Ms. Desmond counsels clients in Oregon, California, and Utah on a variety of water quality and water rights administration matters, including but not limited to issues involving water rights transfers, chain of title reports, adjudications, land use planning, wetlands regulations, groundwater mitigation planning, water conservation planning, and compliance with state and federal regulations like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. In the recent era of drought, her practice has focused on adaptive water management and natural resource conflict resolution. For three years, Ms. Desmond was an adjunct professor teaching “Environmental Policy and Politics” at Oregon State University – Cascades.
Education
- Juris Doctor, University of Utah College of Law (1997), Leary Scholar, Utah Law Review
- Bachelor of Science, Communications Media, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1990)
Publications
- “Stepping Up: Corporations Navigating the New Normal of Climate Change,” The Enterprise: Utah’s Business Journal (July 2017)
- “State of Oregon Encourages Developers to Reconcile Water Demands with River Restoration,” ABA Water Resources Committee Newsletter (June 2006)
- “More Water is Good for Business,” The Daily Transcript, co-authored with C. Michael Cowett, Best Best & Krieger, LLP (November 2002)
- “Desalination Answers the Southern California Water Supply Crisis,” San Diego Union Tribune, co-authored with C. Michael Cowett, Best Best & Krieger, LLP (October 2002)
Speaking Engagements
- “Water Law 101 – What County Counselors Need to Know About Water in Oregon,” Oregon County Counsels Association Summer Program (July 2015)
- “Making Waves in Oregon Water Law,” Oregon State Bar RELU (Real Estate and Land Use) Conference (August 2014)
- “Economic Incentives to Sustainability,” Utah Water Law Conference (October 2013)
- “Water and the Market Economy,” ABA Annual Water Law Conference (February 2008)
- “A Primer on Oregon Water Rights,” Oregon Bankers Association, Agriculture Committee (March 2006)
- “Water Law 101,” Ball Janik Annual Real Estate and Land Use Seminar (September 2005)
- “A Primer on Oregon Water Rights,” Amerititle’s Realtor Education Workshops (February and March 2005)
- “Challenges in Developing Non-Traditional Water Supplies,” ABA Annual Water Law Conference (February 2004)
- “Understanding the California Environmental Quality Act,” Full Day 3-Person Panel Presentation, Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) (March 2003)
- “Transfer of Development Rights and How They Relate to the General Plan Amendment,” Sierra Club, San Diego Chapter (November 2001)
Professional Affiliations
- Oregon Water Resources Congress, Affiliate Member (2014-current)
- Water Treatment Advisory Group, City of Bend, Oregon (2013)
- Adjunct faculty member, Oregon State University – Cascades (2010-2012)
- Mirror Pond Management Board, Bend, Oregon (2009‑2012)
- Former Vice-Chair, American Bar Association (ABA), Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, Water Resources Committee (2006-2008); Planning Committee (2003-2008)
- Past Co-Chair, ABA Annual Water Law Conference, San Diego, California (2006)
- Lawyers Club, San Diego Chapter, Programs Committee (January 2002-August 2004)
- Member, Alumni Board of Trustees, University of Utah College of Law (1998-2000)
Awards and Honors
- Best Lawyers in America©, Water Law (2021-2022)
- Utah Legal Elite, Utah Business Magazine, Energy & Natural Resources (2022)
