Practice Areas
Baca & Stone, LLP
Elena Baca
Attorney at Law, Founding Partner
“For me, the law is about protecting what was never meant to be lost.”
A trusted legal advocate for tribal nations across the Southwest, Elena Baca is a proud member of the Pueblo of Pojoaque. With over 20 years of experience navigating the legal and cultural complexities of sovereignty, jurisdiction, and intergovernmental agreements, her practice is rooted in protecting land, tradition, and tribal self-determination. She serves as lead counsel to multiple Pueblo governments and tribal enterprises and is a frequent speaker on Indigenous rights.
Education & Credentials
- J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law
Certificate in Indian Law Studies - B.A. in Political Science, Stanford University
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa - Certificate, Indigenous Peoples’ Law & Policy Program
University of Arizona
Bar Admissions
- State Bar of New Mexico
- 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, Native American Rights Fund (Board of Directors)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Member, Federal Bar Association – Indian Law Section
- Adjunct Faculty, Indigenous Law Clinic, UNM School of Law
Speaking Engagements & Publications
- Keynote Speaker, National Congress of American Indians: “Tribal Self-Determination in the 21st Century” (2023)
- Panelist, ABA Indian Law Conference: “Environmental Justice on Tribal Lands” (2022)
- Author, “Tribal Water Rights After McGirt,” American Indian Law Journal (2021)
- Contributor, Environmental Law Reporter – articles on cultural-resource permitting
Honors & Awards
- “Top 50 Women in Law”, New Mexico Business Weekly (2024)
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Pueblo of Pojoaque Legal Council (2023)
- Excellence in Indigenous Justice, NARF (2021)
Community
- Volunteer Mentor, Pueblo Youth Leadership Program
- Board Member, Pojoaque Valley Cultural Preservation Society
- Pro Bono Counsel, New Mexico Indian Affairs Department
Languages
- English (native)
- Tewa (fluent)