Practice Areas
Baca & Stone, LLP
James “Jim” Stone
Environmental & Land Use Law, Founding Partner
“When it comes to land, smart decisions today protect generations to come.”
Jim Stone has dedicated over 18 years to balancing growth with environmental integrity across New Mexico and the Southwest. A graduate of UCLA for both undergraduate and law school, Jim combines a deep command of state land policy with a public-policy lens that helps municipalities, nonprofits and developers achieve sustainable outcomes. Whether defending a historic watershed or guiding a multistage land-use negotiation, his clarity and pragmatism ensure every project delivers long-term value.
Education & Credentials
- J.D., UCLA School of Law
Environmental Law Certificate - B.A. in Public Policy, UCLA
Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of New Mexico
- State Bar of California
- State Bar of Arizona
- U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Professional Affiliations
- Member, American Planning Association
- Board Member, New Mexico Water Resources Association
- Member, Environmental Law Institute
- Member, State Bar of New Mexico – Environmental & Natural Resources Section
Speaking Engagements & Publications
- Keynote Speaker, New Mexico Sustainable Growth Summit: “Bridging Development and Conservation” (2024)
- Panelist, ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources: “Emerging Trends in Water Law” (2023)
- Author, “Best Practices for Conservation Easements,” Southwest Environmental Law Journal (2022)
- Contributor, Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law – articles on renewable-energy siting
Honors & Awards
- Environmental Lawyer of the Year, New Mexico Bar Association (2023)
- Conservation Champion Award, Rio Grande Land Trust (2022)
- Outstanding Alumnus, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs (2021)
Community Involvement
- Volunteer, Santa Fe Watershed Restoration Project
- Board Member, Taos Land Trust
- Pro Bono Counsel, Community Food Forest Initiative
Languages
- English (native)
- Spanish (conversational)