Desmond Bassett

Desmond Bassett is a litigation attorney who advises business clients across a broad range of commercial disputes, including statutory, contract, and tort claims. He also represents individuals facing criminal charges, drawing upon his experience as a certified student attorney in the Criminal Defense Clinic at the University of Minnesota Law School, where he earned his J.D.

During his law school years, Desmond also competed on the Intercollegiate Mock Trial Team, served on the university’s Law Council, and served as an online editor for the Minnesota Journal of Law and Inequality. Further, Desmond served as president of the Black Law Student Association and was a recipient of the Hon. Pamela G. Alexander Scholarship, named for Minnesota’s first Black female judge. During law school, Desmond externed for Hon. Jerry Blackwell and Hon. Karen Janisch.

Prior to law school, Desmond earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he also played football and worked as an RA conducting research on equity in education. He earned his bachelor's degree from Concordia University, St. Paul, majoring in history and serving as founder and president of the Black Student Union and as captain of the football team. Desmond also played professional football in Germany and taught high school social studies in Mankato.

Outside of work, Desmond enjoys sports, traveling, and the outdoors.