Baca & Stone, LLP
Santa Fe, New MexicoWhen laws intersect with history, community, and enterprise, you need counsel that understands more than the code. Baca & Stone draws on decades of Southwest experience—across tribal law, land use, and creative industries, to deliver clear, culturally informed guidance at every turn.
Environmental & Land Use Law
Protect natural resources, manage water rights, and advise on sustainable development.View EnvironmentalEntertainment & Creative Industry Law
Legal counsel for filmmakers, artists, musicians, and production companies.View Entertainment
When Culture, Land, and Law Collide
Legal challenges in New Mexico often involve more than statutes and contracts—they touch land, culture, and legacy. Clients come to us when the issues they face are deeply rooted and high stakes.
Whether it’s navigating jurisdictional boundaries, fighting to preserve water rights, or negotiating contracts that protect creative ownership, these aren’t just technical problems—they’re personal, political, and often generational.
We understand the frustration of unclear laws, stalled permits, overlooked tribal authority, or rushed agreements. Our role is to step in with clarity, respect, and strategy to help you move forward with confidence.
Trusted Counsel for Complex Matters
Baca & Stone, LLP delivers a full spectrum of legal support across our three core practice areas—Tribal Law & Sovereignty, Environmental & Land Use Law, and Entertainment & Creative Industry Law—to clients throughout New Mexico and beyond. Whether your matter is transactional or litigated, our attorneys combine deep regional knowledge with rigorous legal analysis to guide you through each step of the process.
We pride ourselves on clear communication, efficient case management, and a collaborative approach that keeps you informed and empowered.
Built on a legacy of excellence, Baca & Stone’s attorneys are widely respected in their fields—regularly speaking at industry forums, publishing in legal journals, and advising on precedent-setting matters. This reputation allows us to leverage strong relationships with regulators, opposing counsel, and community stakeholders, ensuring your interests are represented with both authority and integrity.
Our Focus Areas
Baca & Stone, LLP offers highly focused legal services across three core areas. Whether you’re protecting land, asserting tribal authority, or safeguarding your creative work, we bring deep legal experience and cultural understanding to every case
The Baca & Stone Advantage
Our clients benefit from strategic clarity, responsive advocacy, and lasting partnerships, ensuring their legal matters are handled efficiently and their objectives secured.
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Regional Insight
With decades of experience in the Southwest, we anticipate regulatory trends, understand local customs, and leverage established relationships.
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Dedicated Advocacy
Whether negotiating intergovernmental compacts or defending water rights in court, your matter receives our full attention and swift, expert response
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Enduring Partnerships
We measure success by long-term outcomes, remaining available for compliance checks, strategic planning, and follow-up counsel.
Engaging Our Services
From our first meeting through final resolution, our four-step engagement process ensures you receive tailored advice, efficient advocacy, and sustained support as your needs evolve.
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Consultation
We begin by listening and understanding your concerns, gathering key facts, and identifying core issues to define scope, priorities, and desired outcomes.
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Retain Counsel
When you retain us, we’ll pair you with the an attorney whose expertise aligns with your matter, and map out a clear action plan.
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Advocacy & Negotiation
Whether drafting agreements, securing permits, or representing you in court, we draw on meticulous preparation and strong relationships to advance your interests efficiently.
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Resolution & Support
After your objectives are met, we oversee implementation—reviewing documents, monitoring compliance, and providing follow-up counsel so you’re prepared for whatever comes next.
Client Perspectives
“Elena Baca and her team understood our sovereignty issues from the first conversation. They didn’t just provide legal answers—they advocated for our values. We trust them with our most sensitive and important matters.”
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“We’ve worked with a lot of firms, but Baca & Stone brings something rare, regional understanding, cultural respect, and an elite-level professionalism. They’re more than attorneys. They’re partners.”
Samuel Li
Policy ConsultantMarco broke down our film contracts line by line—and saved us from signing a terrible deal. His review gave us real confidence. He’s the first person we call when legal paperwork lands on our desk.
Grace Anderson
Independent Producer“When our water rights were challenged, Jim Stone stepped in with a calm, confident strategy. He helped us preserve access and navigate complex permitting with ease.”
Michael Trujillo
Landowner & RancherCore Practice Areas
Tribal Law & Sovereignty
Comprehensive counsel on tribal governance, land, and compacts.
- Intergovernmental agreements
- Tribal governance code drafting
- Land acquisition & trust land matters
- Cultural and historical preservation
- Dispute resolution & court advocacy
- Economic development partnerships
Environmental & Land Use
Strategic guidance for zoning, water rights, conservation planning.
- Zoning, and land-use planning
- Water rights adjudication & permitting
- Environmental impact assessments
- Regulatory compliance & defense
- Conservation easements & land trusts
- Conservation easements & land trusts
Entertainment & Creative Law
Contracts, licensing, & enforcement, safeguarding creative rights.
- IP registration & enforcement
- Production agreements & financing
- Talent, crew, and vendor contracts
- Distribution, licensing, merchandising
- Distribution, licensing, merchandising
- Media rights & streaming negotiations
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about how we work, what to expect, or how we structure engagements? Below are answers to the inquiries we hear most often—from our approach to fee arrangements (which vary by matter) to timelines, team assignments, and next steps—so you can move forward with confidence.
We focus on three core practice areas—Tribal Law & Sovereignty, Environmental & Land Use Law, and Entertainment & Creative Industry Law—serving tribal governments, landowners, developers, creatives, and production teams throughout New Mexico and the Southwest.
Our fee arrangements vary by matter and are based on the scope, complexity, and type of representation required. After an initial consultation, we’ll provide you with a clear engagement letter outlining the terms and estimated fee framework for your case.
Every matter is unique, but we’ll present you with a project plan after retention that includes key milestones and anticipated timeframes—whether it’s negotiating an intergovernmental agreement, securing a permit, or drafting a production contract.
From the outset, we’ll pair you with the Baca & Stone attorney whose expertise best aligns with your issue. You’ll have one primary point of contact throughout the engagement, supported by our wider team as needed to ensure depth of experience and continuity.