Donald “Chris” Burnette is a licensed attorney, Air Force veteran, and Eagle Scout whose virtual practice combines legal counsel and strategic consulting for nonprofits, public interest organizations, federal agencies, and federal sector professionals. His work focuses on helping mission driven leaders navigate the intersection of law, policy, and public service.

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With nearly thirty years of experience in public lands management, nonprofit leadership, and administrative law, Mr. Burnette brings both legal insight and practical governance experience to the organizations he serves. He has worked as an interim executive director, board member, and legal advisor to nonprofit organizations in the conservation, education, and civic sectors. In these roles he has helped guide organizations through formation, 501(c)(3) recognition, strategic planning, and partnership development.

 

A lifelong public servant and public lands advocate, Mr. Burnette approaches legal work through the lens of stewardship, integrity, and preparedness. These values were shaped through Scouting, military service, and more than a decade of federal service, primarily within the United States Department of the Interior. His experience across federal agencies gives him a practical understanding of how government systems operate and how nonprofit organizations interact with those systems.

 

Mr. Burnette resides outside Tennessee, which remains his professional base. The Law Office of D.C. Burnette, PLLC is a Tennessee registered professional limited liability company. Legal services are limited to federal law, federal consulting, and matters within federal jurisdiction where he is authorized to practice. No services are offered under the laws of any state except where incidental to a federal issue or otherwise permitted.

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​​Memberships

• American Bar Association, Attorney Member

• American Legion, SC Post 6, Member

• American Planning Association, Member

• Appalachian Mountain Club, Member

• Association of National Park Rangers, Member & Board of Directors

• Coalition to Save Our Parks, Member

• Colorado Bar Association, Affiliate Member (Non-Licensed)

• Missouri Bar Association, Licensed Attorney Member

• National Association of Veterans Advocates

• National Eagle Scout Association, Member

• ​National Lawyers Guild, Attorney Member

• Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Member

• Scouting America, Member & Adult Volunteer

• Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals, Member

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Supporter

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State Bar Licensure

• Missouri (Active) Bar #64291, admitted

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Federal Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, admitted

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Federal Agency Admissions

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Authorized Attorney (application pending) 

• Department of the Interior

• Merit System Protection Board

• Federal Labor Relations Authority

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

• Occupational Health and Safety Administration

• Office of Special Counsel

• Federal Communications Commission

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Legal & Academic Education

• Saint Louis University School of Law, Juris Doctor

  • Concentration in Urban Development, Land Use, and Environmental Law

• Lindenwood University, Master of Arts in Nonprofit Administration

  • Minor in Public Management

• Northern Arizona University, Extended Bachelor of Science in American Political Studies

  • Focus on Environmental Law and Policy​

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Leadership & Professional Development

• Federal Land Managers Wilderness Training Course-Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center

• Managing by Network, by the Partnership & Community Collaboration Academy for Federal Land Managers – Honors Certificate

• National Park Service- Operational Leadership for Employees and Supervisors

• Boy Scouts of America - Scout Executive Professional Development Leadership (PDL-1) Program

• Honorably Discharged US Air Force Veteran

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