Atty. Clifford K. Atkinson
Cliff Atkinson has practiced for more than 44 years in the areas of complex commercial and tort litigation in a broad spectrum of difficult cases. He, with his good friend and now retired colleague John Thal, founded the Firm in 1992 on the principle that a small, directed, hard hitting litigation firm can deliver the highest quality of personalized services to its clients.
Profile Summary
About Clifford K. Atkinson at a glance
Clifford K. Atkinson is a business, litigation, and environmental attorney based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, practicing at Atkinson, Baker & Rodriguez PC. Educated at University of New Mexico (J.D., 1978). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Natural Resources Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Railroad Law (2026). Serands clients in Albuquerque, NM and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Cliff Atkinson has practiced for more than 44 years in the areas of complex commercial and tort litigation in a broad spectrum of difficult cases
- He, with his good friend and now retired colleague John Thal, founded the Firm in 1992 on the principle that a small, directed, hard hitting litigation firm can deliver the highest quality of personalized services to its clients
- In his many years of practice, Cliff has litigated and tried cases to verdict, judgment, or other successful resolution in both state and federal court, achieving favorable results for his clients, both plaintiffs and defendants
- Greatly respected in his field, Cliff is an "AV" rated lawyer by Martindale Hubbell©, which is the highest rating for legal ability and ethics, and has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America© and Southwest Super Lawyers© Top 25 Lawyers in New Mexico and Chambers & Partners USA© and has served as President and Executive Committee member of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel (NARTC)
- Cliff is licensed to practice in state and federal courts in New Mexico and Colorado
- Cliff was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in Arizona
- Prior to attending law school, Cliff was employed as a geophysicist for a mining company
- Cliff practiced for many years at a highly-respected Albuquerque law firm before founding the Firm
- As one who enjoys challenges both intellectual and physical, Cliff is an avid skier and heli skier, technical and cave diver, adventure motorcyclist, hunter, and hiker
- He has received training in mixed martial arts
Practice Areas Explained
Clifford K. Atkinson's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Clifford K. Atkinson handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Clifford K. Atkinson is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in New Mexico →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Clifford K. Atkinson is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in New Mexico →
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Clifford K. Atkinson is one of 56,434 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in New Mexico →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in New Mexico
Practicing law in New Mexico. Legal matters in New Mexico are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Albuquerque are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New Mexico state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New Mexico brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New Mexico courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional New Mexico attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Albuquerque or all attorneys in New Mexico.
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