About Jim Olmsted
Jim Olmsted Brief Bio
Extensive Legal Experience
Jim Olmsted is a retired attorney based in Eugene, Oregon, 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.
Democracy4All and Advocacy
In addition to his legal career, Jim Olmsted is the co-founder and president of Democracy4All (D4A), a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting democracy, defending democratic institutions, fighting climate change, and conserving natural lands. Through D4A, he leads efforts to ensure free and fair elections, safeguard critical social safety nets, and advocate for environmental protection.
Legal Education
Jim 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.
Bar Memberships
Throughout his career, Jim 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.
Published Author and Speaker
His deep understanding of conservation law made him a sought-after speaker, delivering presentations on land trusts and conservation easements at national conferences. Jim 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.
Jim Olmsted Scholarship
Jim 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
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
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
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
Duke Journal of Law & Contemporary Problems, Vol. 74, No. 4, p. 51, 2011
Number of pages: 32 • Posted: 10 Oct 2010
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
