Welcome!
Updated: Oct 5
A Little Bit About Me
I am Chris Burnette. I am an attorney, Air Force veteran, former federal employee, and someone who has spent most of my life working in and around public service.
At my core, I believe in duty, service, and showing up with integrity.
This law practice grew out of that background and a simple belief.
People deserve clear guidance when navigating complex systems.
Why This Work Matters to Me
Too often, individuals are left to figure out federal systems on their own.
No one explains how the system actually works. No one translates the rules into something practical. And by the time most people realize they need help, they are already behind.
I’ve seen that from the inside of government. And I’ve seen it from the outside, working with individuals trying to navigate it.
This practice exists to close that gap.
A Federal Practice Built on Service
I run a boutique, fully virtual law firm focused on federal law.
My work centers on helping:
Veterans navigating VA disability claims and appeals
Veterans seeking review before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Service members needing help with selected military matters
That work often involves:
VA claims advice, evidence review, and appeal strategy
Limited-scope VA services and full appeal representation when accepted
CAVC appeals and selected military matters, including conscientious objection
Most of my clients are trying to move forward in systems that were never designed to be easy to understand.
My role is to bring clarity, structure, and steady guidance.
Experience Inside the System
Before launching this practice, I spent years working inside federal agencies.
I held leadership roles across the U.S. Department of the Interior, including the National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and Bureau of Land Management.
My work focused on public lands, policy, budgeting, and program leadership.
That experience matters to me.
It means I don’t just understand the law. I understand how agencies actually operate. How decisions are made. Where things break down. And how to navigate the system effectively.
Military Service and Perspective
My time in the Air Force shaped how I approach this work.
It reinforced the importance of trust, accountability, and doing things the right way, even when it’s not the easy way.
It also gave me a perspective I bring into my work with veterans.
I understand the hesitation. The tendency to downplay things. The instinct to handle it on your own.
That mindset shows up in legal issues more often than people realize.
Nonprofit and Community Work
I have also worked extensively with nonprofit organizations focused on public lands, conservation, and community development.
Serving on boards and advisory groups has given me a practical understanding of:
Governance challenges
Compliance requirements
Funding pressures
Organizational decision-making
That experience continues to inform how I approach service, stewardship, and the work of this Firm.
I also serve as President of the House of Burnett International, a Scottish heritage organization based in Banchory, Scotland, supporting a global community built around shared history and service.
A Practice Rooted in Place
I grew up in Appalachia and spent many years living and working in the American West.
Both shaped my sense of stewardship, responsibility, and connection to community.
Those influences still guide how I approach legal work today.
How This Firm Works
The Law Office of D.C. Burnette is designed to be accessible and predictable.
The Firm offers selected limited-scope VA services and full representation where separately accepted. The former legal subscription model is discontinued.
The engagement agreement defines what the Firm will handle. Attorney advice or a focused review does not automatically include responsibility for an appeal.
A Personal Note
Launching this firm has been a long time in the making.
Many of my early clients are people I have worked with over the years. Their trust helped make this practice possible.
At the same time, this firm is built to be accessible to anyone who needs clear, steady legal guidance when dealing with federal systems.
Welcome
If you are a veteran trying to understand your benefits, or a service member seeking help with a selected military matter, I’m glad you found the Firm. Start an Inquiry; we review conflicts and fit and determine the appropriate next step, including a consultation when needed.
I’m glad you’re here.
~Chris Burnette
This blog is provided by attorney D.C. Burnette. It does not constitute legal advice and is intended for informational purposes only. Reading this blog or contacting me does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal services are offered exclusively through the Law Office of D.C. Burnette, PLLC, a Missouri-licensed law firm registered in the State of Tennessee. For full terms and disclosures, please visit the Terms & Conditions page.
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