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.
EDUCATION
- University of New Mexico, J.D., 1978
- Editor, Natural Resources Journal
- University of Arizona, B.S. Geophysical Engineering, 1973
BAR ADMISSIONS
COURT MEMBERSHIPS
- U.S. District Court for the Districts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Nebraska
- Tenth Circuit and Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal
- United States Supreme Court
