Practice Areas
Baca & Stone, LLP
Clara Yazzie
Tribal & Cultural Preservation Law, Partner
“Our stories are embedded in the land. My job is to defend both.”
Clara Yazzie is a citizen of the Navajo Nation and one of the Southwest’s foremost experts in tribal law and cultural preservation. A graduate of the University of New Mexico for both undergraduate and law degrees, she brings over 12 years of experience safeguarding sacred sites, defending language rights, and litigating cultural-resource disputes. Clara has helped tribes reclaim stolen artifacts, challenge unjust development projects, and translate heritage into enduring legal protections.
Education & Credentials
- J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law
Certificate in Indigenous Peoples’ Law & Policy - B.A. in Anthropology, University of New Mexico
Graduated summa cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa
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
- Board Member, New Mexico Cultural Heritage Trust
- Member, American Indian Bar Association
- Member, Federal Bar Association – Indian Law Section
- Advisor, UNESCO U.S. Indian Heritage Program
Speaking Engagements & Publications
- Keynote, Tribal Historic Preservation Conference: “Defending Sacred Landscapes” (2024)
- Panelist, Indigenous Language Rights Symposium: “Legal Pathways for Language Revitalization” (2023)
- Author, “Repatriation Pathways under NAGPRA,” Southwest Law Journal (2022)
- Contributor, Federal Lawyer – articles on cultural-resource enforcement
Honors & Awards
- Native Legal Eagle Award, National Indigenous Bar Association (2023)
- Cultural Preservation Champion, New Mexico Historic Preservation Division (2022)
- Rising Star in Indian Law, Albuquerque Business First (2021)
Community Involvement
- Volunteer Mentor, Navajo Language Revitalization Project
- Board Member, Four Corners Cultural Coalition
- Pro Bono Counsel, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices
Languages
- English (native)
- Navajo (native)
- Spanish (conversational)