Paul Bardacke
PAUL BARDACKE
PARTNER EMERITUS
Paul Bardacke’s legal career in both the public and private sectors has spanned over 50 years. He tried over 25 jury trials, primarily in the areas of commercial, natural resources and environmental law. Paul mediated over 2000 cases and served as a neutral in US as well as international arbitrations. He successfully argued two cases in the United States Supreme Court. Since retiring from the practice of law in 2022 he has been sorely missed by the Firm - as well as parties needing to resolve litigation.
Paul served as Attorney General for the State of New Mexico from 1983 to 1986 and more recently as chief negotiator for the State of New Mexico in Indian gaming negotiations with sixteen New Mexico Nations and Pueblos. He also represented the State of New Mexico in its tobacco litigation. He has served as a Special United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico (1984-85) and as Special Counsel to the State of New Mexico for the Windfall Profits Tax Litigation (1981-1985).
Paul is a founding member of the bipartisan think tank Think New Mexico. In 2010 he was appointed to the National Parks System Advisory Board, with reappointment in 2013 to a second four-year term.
Paul served as Chairman of Governor Bill Richardson’s successful gubernatorial campaign in 2002. In 2006, Paul accompanied Governor Richardson to North Korea to assist with nuclear disarmament talks and delivered a presentation to the North Korean delegation on civil rights and democratization.
Paul was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers between 1997 and 2020.
Paul enjoys family time and activities with his children and grandchildren. He collects contemporary art and is an avid fly fisherman and competitive tennis player.
Photo: William Clift
Recent work includes Mont St Michel and Shiprock.
EDUCATION
University of California Berkeley (Boalt Hall), JD 1969
University of California, Santa Barbara BA cum laude 1966
Member, Small College NCAA
National Championship Tennis Team 1965
COURT ADMISSIONS
Member California State Bar 1969
Member New Mexico State Bar 1970
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals 1976
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals 1977
Supreme Court of the United States 1979
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Best Lawyers in America, listed every year
since 1993 in multiple categories including
“bet-the-company” litigation, commercial litigation
and alternative dispute resolution;
2011, 2015 “Lawyer of the Year”
(alternative dispute resolution)
Super Lawyers, listed every year since first publication
2007-Present
Ranked in top 25 New Mexico Lawyers
by Southwest Super Lawyers
Chambers & Partners USA Recognized for Top Tier Litigation
Inception to Present
Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship
1969-1970
Teaching
National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) 1978-2000
Faculty member: Albuquerque NM, Alyeska AK, Boulder CO, Eugene OR, Honolulu HI, San Francisco CA
University of New Mexico School of Law 1973-1983
Adjunct Professor, Evidence and Trial Practice
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Board of Directors, National Park System Advisory Board
2010-Present
Board of Directors, Think New Mexico, Founding Director of bipartisan results-oriented think tank,
1999-Present
Board of Directors, Albuquerque Community Foundation
2001-2004
Member, US Secretary of Energy Advisory Board
2000
Emerging Technological Alternatives to Incineration
Board of Directors, North American Institute
1990-1992
Board of Directors, New Mexico Repertory Theater
1985-1992
Board of Directors, Artspace Magazine
1970-1980
Board of Directors, All Faiths Receiving Home
1976-1983
Board of Directors, Friends of Art
1974-1976
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
American Board of Trial Advocates, New Mexico Chapter Inception to 2015
President 1993-1994
American Bar Association
American Association of Arbitrators Member
Arbitration & Mediation Rosters
