Modrall Sperling

32 Best Lawyers awards

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Awarded Practice Areas

Natural Resources Law Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Albuquerque.

Biography

Stan Harris is a shareholder with Modrall Sperling and has twenty years of litigation experience. Stan practices in the areas of public lands, natural resources, and commercial litigation. He has advised clients at the judicial, administrative, and legislative levels on federal, state, and local issues. Stan has extensive experience in the representation of parties in their disputes involving cultural property, public lands, Indian lands, oil and gas industry, environmental infrastructure matters, mining transactions, and air quality issues.

Stan also represents clients in the area of general commercial litigation, including breaches of commercial contracts, foreclosure, personal injury defense, and premises liability.

Further, Stan has represented contractors, subcontractors, and insurers in defective housing litigation, including framing, foundation, grading, and compaction claims, and in lawsuits involving single homes, multiple homes, and subdivisions.

Prior to joining Modrall Sperling, Stan served as Environmental Counsel to United States Senator Pete V. Domenici in Washington, D.C. and as Law Clerk to the Honorable Lynn Pickard, New Mexico Court of Appeals.

Stan is a member of the Natural Resources and Environment practice group. He serves as Chair of the Public Lands group, and is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Stan has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America®, and was named the 2020 “Lawyer of the Year” in Albuquerque in Litigation-Land Use and Zoning. Southwest Super Lawyers® recognizes Stan in Energy and Natural Resources.

Modrall Sperling

32 Best Lawyers awards

Modrall Sperling logo

Overview

  • University of New Mexico, J.D., graduated 1993
  • The University of Texas, B.A. in History, graduated 1990

  • New Mexico, State Bar of New Mexico
  • United States, U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
  • United States, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

  • American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources - Public Land and Resources Committee, Vice-Chair

  • New Mexico - Court of Appeals
  • New Mexico, State Bar of New Mexico
  • United States, U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
  • United States, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources - Public Land and Resources Committee, Vice-Chair
  • University of New Mexico, J.D., graduated 1993
  • The University of Texas, B.A. in History, graduated 1990
  • New Mexico - Court of Appeals

Client Testimonials

Stan Harris works well with everyone and commands attention by all working groups I've encountered.

Joel Lister (Rio Grande Resources)

Grants, NM

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Natural Resources Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Natural Resources Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Natural Resources Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Natural Resources Law, Albuquerque (2026)
  • Natural Resources Law, Albuquerque (2024)
  • Natural Resources Law, Albuquerque (2022)
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning, Albuquerque (2020)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Natural Resources Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Law
  • Energy Law
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Native American Law
Awards:
  • Southwest Super Lawyers® (derived from a lawyer survey), 2013-present
  • Martindale-Hubbell BV® Distinguished Peer Review Rated
  • Best Lawyers in America® in Litigation-Land Use and Zoning, 2018-present

Additional Information

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Case History

Cases
  • Federal and Tribal Lands
Representation of railroads, pipeline companies, and electric transmission facilities in establishing rights-of-way across federal and tribal land.
  • Federal and Tribal Lands
Representation of railroads, pipeline companies, and electric transmission companies regarding taxation issues on tribal lands.
  • Environmental Law
Representation of utilities in air quality matters.
  • Litigation
Representation of property owners in premises liability litigation.
  • Litigation
Representation of contractors and insurers in defective housing litigation.

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