Reagan L.B. Desmond

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, compliance with state and federal regulations including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, wetlands regulations, groundwater mitigation planning, and water conservation planning. 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.

• Administrative Law
• Environmental Litigation
• Local Government Law
• Natural Resources
• Water Quality
• Water Rights and Resources
• Water Rights Litigation

• Juris Doctor, University of Utah College of Law (1997), Leary Scholar, Utah Law Review
• Bachelor of Science, Communications Media, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1990)

• “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)

• Oregon Water Resources Congress, Affiliate Member (2014‑2018)
• 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)

• Best Lawyers in America©, Water Law (2021)