Paul M. Bessette

Partner

Paul M. Bessette is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Energy Practice. Mr. Bessette represents clients in a variety of regulatory, contracting, and litigation matters, particularly in government-contract-related issues.

Since joining the firm in 2000, Mr. Bessette has actively participated in a number of matters involving litigation against the U.S. Government involving breach of contract claims and general government-contract-related matters. He was lead associate in conducting due diligence and preliminary damages assessments, and preparing the breach of contract claims in more than 10 pending lawsuits filed against the government in connection with federal obligations to accept and remove spent nuclear fuel. He has also provided advice to several government contractor clients on contract clause interpretation, negotiations, and financing as well as security issues.

Mr. Bessette has also been active in representing a number of firm clients in administrative and regulatory hearings before the government. For example, he is actively engaged in regulatory proceedings and hearings involving the siting of a large energy production facility in the Midwest, including litigation over numerous environmental matters.

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Mr. Bessette had more than15 years of experience in the energy field as both an engineer and a manager. He worked for IES Utilities as a regulatory and engineering manager, with responsibility for implementing numerous complex regulatory programs and major plant modifications, and responding to regulatory enforcement actions. Mr. Bessette's experience also includes work as an engineer for General Electric. Previously, he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy's submarine program.

Mr. Bessette is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and Maryland.