James Olmsted

James Olmsted Brief Bio

James Olmsted is a retired attorney based in Eugene, Oregon, well known for his extensive experience in conservation easement law, land use, zoning, and real estate transactions. As the founder and supervising attorney of OlmstedLAW (formerly Conservation & Preservation Counsel, LLC), he dedicated his legal career to representing land trusts, private landowners, and developers in complex real estate and conservation transactions.

In addition to his distinguished legal career, James Olmsted is the co-founder and president of Democracy4All (D4A), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting democracy, defending democratic institutions, advocating for social safety nets, combating climate change, and conserving natural lands. Through D4A, he uses social media to combat misinformation, keeps followers updated on critical political developments, and produces informative videos for educational outreach.

Mr. Olmsted holds both B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Nevada at Reno and earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of California, Davis School of Law in 1987. During law school, he gained valuable experience by interning for Judge Edward C. Reed of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada and clerking for Justice Charles E. Springer on the Nevada Supreme Court.

Throughout his career, Mr. Olmsted was an active member of multiple state bar associations. He voluntarily resigned from the California and Washington state bars but remains an inactive member in good standing with the Nevada and Oregon state bar associations. During his years of active practice, he was admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for Nevada and Oregon, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. 

His deep understanding of conservation law made him a sought-after speaker, delivering presentations on land trusts and conservation easements at national conferences.

James Olmsted is also a published author, with articles featured in leading law reviews and scholarly journals. His published works have contributed to the understanding of conservation law, land use planning, and the protection of natural resources.