John Bezdek is a shareholder with the Water and Power Law Group PC in Washington, DC. He is an expert in Western water resources, especially Indian water rights, listed species protection, habitat restoration, development and implementation of water resources projects, and Reclamation law.

Prior to starting in private practice in 2016, he served in senior roles at the Department of the Interior during three presidential administrations.

During his 20-year federal career, Bezdek oversaw 21 teams negotiating complex Indian water rights settlements, including for the Klamath River Basin, Navajo Nation in New Mexico, and the Colorado Ute Tribes.

He managed all legal matters for the administration and operation of Bureau of Reclamation projects and programs West-wide, including the negation of Delta conveyance and habitat conservation plans (BDCP and California WaterFix), and development and implementation of drought resiliency strategies in the Western United States.

Bezdek earned a master of laws degree from George Washington University in 1997 and a law degree from Southern University School of Law in 1995. 

He joined the Water Education Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2020.