Bowditch & Dewey attorney gets federal post

Vincent DeVito has been appointed to the U.S. Department of the Interior by President Trump.

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By Grant Welker

Vincent DeVito, a partner at the law firm Bowditch & Dewey, has been appointed by President Trump as senior counselor to the secretary of the interior for energy affairs, the firm announced Monday.

DeVito was the head of Trump’s campaign for Massachusetts last year. That connection has helped him join the federal government at a time when the Trump administration has lagged in hiring many positions that require the confirmation of the president.

DeVito represents corporations, investors, and entrepreneurs in the energy and technology sectors. He’s worked for Bowditch & Dewey since 2008, with offices in Boston and Washington. The firm was founded in Worcester and has a downtown office in the city.

DeVito has also served as an energy counselor for the state, both within the Legislature and at the Department of Public Utilities, according to Bowditch & Dewey.

He also has experience working in the federal government before. He was an assistant secretary for policy and international affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, and was an international energy policy adviser to earlier presidential campaigns, the law firm said, without specifying which ones.

DeVito joins the federal government at a time of potentially huge changes on environmental policy.

Trump has talked about reversing many climate policies of the Obama administration, and has said he will revitalize the coal industry. He may also pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement.

DeVito didn’t return a call seeking comment Monday.