PORTLAND — Drummond Woodsum  has announced that Adam Cote, Esq. has joined the firm to lead the Energy and Utilities Practice group. 

 A Sanford native, Cote  has  20 years of service in the Maine Army National Guard’s historic 133rd Engineering Battalion including tours in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan and brings significant private sector, entrepreneurial and legal experience in the energy sector including recognition in 2013 as a White House Champion of Change as “a veteran working to advance clean energy and climate security,” the law firm said.

“Adam brings extensive experience and unique understanding of the energy industry to our firm,” said Managing Partner Benjamin Marcus. “We’re excited about the opportunity to grow our energy practice with a professional of his standing.” 

Cote’s  energy experience includes his role as cofounder and CEO of Thermal Energy Storage of Maine, which promotes off-peak heating and cooling solutions most often used to complement renewable energy, micro-grid and distributed energy solutions. He  previously worked as an energy attorney at Pierce Atwood, where his practice included advising countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Croatia on behalf of USAID on ways to restructure their energy sectors and encourage outside investment. 

“Maine has a tremendous opportunity to lead regionally and nationally over the next 20 years when it comes to growing our energy economy,” said Cote.  “I am excited to listen, learn and partner with the entrepreneurs, established businesses, advocates and others across Maine to make that happen.” 

In Bosnia, Cote  was selected to serve as part of the team that helped apprehend several war criminals later tried at The Hague.  In Iraq, he created the “Adopt an Iraqi Village Program” which distributed toys, school supplies and household items donated by Mainers to Iraqi villages.  In Afghanistan, Cote served as a company commander in Maine’s 133rd Engineer Battalion.  He is a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge, along with numerous other awards.  Injuries to both shoulders sped up his departure from Army at the rank of Major. 

Cote  made an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Congress in Maine’s first district in 2008.  A first-time candidate for office, Cote raised over $650,000, earned more than 15,700 votes and came in second in the six-way Democratic primary. 

Cote is a graduate of Sanford High School, Colby College and the University of Maine School of Law.  In 2015, he was the youngest alumni to receive Colby’s “Distinguished Alumnus Award.”  He was born and raised in Sanford and lives there with his wife Paulina and their five young children.   He has served on numerous local and statewide boards and coaches youth sports.