James Olmsted
Eugene Oregon Retired Environmental Attorney
Professional Journey
Who I Am
James Olmsted a retired attorney in Eugene, Oregon, was the founder and supervising attorney of OlmstedLAW (formerly Conservation & Preservation Counsel, LLC), a law firm dedicated to representing land trusts, landowners and developers in real estate and conservation easement transactions. Mr. Olmsted received B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Nevada at Reno and his J.D. from the University of California at Davis School of Law (class of 1987). During law school he interned for Judge Edward C. Reed of the United States District Court of Nevada. He then clerked for Justice Charles E. Springer on the Nevada Supreme Court. Prior to retiring Mr. Olmsted was a member of the California (voluntary resignation) and Washington (voluntary resignation) state bar associations. He remains an inactive member in good standing of the Nevada and Oregon state bar associations. While active as an attorney he was admitted to the United States District Courts of Nevada and Oregon and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Olmsted practiced zoning, land use, real estate, and conservation easement law for twenty-five years. His experience includes representing both major luxury golf and ski resort developers and public interest advocacy groups. Mr. Olmsted has given presentations on land trusts and conservation easements across the nation, and he is widely published in law reviews and other scholarly journals.
Publications
Scholarly Works
James Olmsted has authored numerous publications delving into environmental law, conservation strategies, and biodiversity protection. His works have contributed to the legal and academic spheres, showcasing his understanding and commitment to environmental causes.
​Representing Nonconcurrent Generations: The Problem of Now
Journal of Environmental Law & Litigation, Vol. 23, No. 2, p. 451, 2008
Number of pages: 37 • Posted: 24 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
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Capturing the Value of Appreciated Development Rights on Conservation Easement Termination
Environs Environmental Law and Policy Journal, Vol. 30, No. 1, p. 39, 2006
Number of pages: 26 • Posted: 24 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
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Foreword to Conservation Easements: New Perspectives in an Evolving World
Duke Journal of Law & Contemporary Problems, Vol. 74, No. 4, 2011
Number of pages: 8 • Posted: 27 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
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Climate Surfing: A Conceptual Guide to Drafting Conservation Easements in the Age of Global Warming
St. John's Journal of Legal Commentary, Vol. 23, No. 3, p. 765, 2008
Number of pages: 78 • Posted: 25 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
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The Invisible Forest: Conservation Easement Databases and the End of the Clandestine Conservation of Natural Lands
Duke Journal of Law & Contemporary Problems, Vol. 74, No. 4, p. 51, 2011
Number of pages: 32 • Posted: 10 Oct 2010
OlmstedLAW
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Paradoxical Conservation and the Tragedy of Multiple Commons
Tulane Environmental Law Journal, Vol. 22, No. 103, 2008
Number of pages: 19 • Posted: 24 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
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Perpetuity, Latent Ancillary Rights, and Carbon Offsets in Global Warming Era Conservation Easements
Environmental Law Reporter, Vol. 39, No. 10842, 2009
Number of pages: 9 • Posted: 25 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
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The Butterfly Effect: Conservation Easements, Climate Change, and Invasive Species
Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, Vol. 38, No. 1, p. 41, 2011
Number of pages: 36 • Posted: 27 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
Carbon Dieting: Latent Ancillary Rights to Carbon Offsets in Conservation Easements
Journal of Land, Resources & Environmental Law, Vol. 29, No. 1, p. 121, 2009
Number of pages: 21 • Posted: 25 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
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Handling the Land Use Case: A User's Manual for the Public Interest Attorney
Journal of Environmental Law & Litigation, Vol. 19, No. 1, p. 21, 2004
Number of pages: 60 • Posted: 23 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
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The Future of Perpetuity: Conservation Easement Concerns in the 21st Century
The Long View: Oregon State Bar Sustainable Future Section, 2011
Number of pages: 11 • Posted: 20 Oct 2011
OlmstedLAW
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The Global Warming Crisis: An Analytical Framework to Regional Responses
Journal of Environmental Law & Litigation, Vol. 23, No. 1, p. 125, 2008
Number of pages: 66 • Posted: 25 May 2010
OlmstedLAW
Biodiversity Conservation
Emphasizing Sustainable Practices
With a keen emphasis on sustainable practices and conservation ethics, James Olmsted's initiatives strive to secure a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.
Advocacy
Shaping Environmental Policy
By combining legal expertise with a passion for environmental preservation, James Olmsted continues to make significant strides in reshaping environmental policies for a more sustainable future.
Community Engagement
Collaboration for Positive Change
Through collaborative efforts and community empowerment, he seeks to inspire positive change and instill a sense of responsibility towards protecting our planet.
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