Don Stuart

Washington attorney and Stuart Consulting Principal Don Stuart believes public policies can assure a healthy, sustainable environment yet still enhance economic prosperity for businesses involved in natural resources. Currently, he advises groups regarding advocacy and political action.

Don’s convictions regarding mutually beneficial solutions evolved from years of practice. From 2000 to 2011, he served as the Pacific Northwest regional director for the American Farmland Trust. Before that, he was the executive director for the Washington Association of Conservation Districts. Working toward improved conservation stewardship, these independent local governments provide technical and cost-sharing assistance to private farmers and ranchers. From 1990 to 1996, he was the executive director of Salmon for Washington, a trade association representing commercial salmon fishermen and fish processing firms on public policy and environmental issues.

In all of these positions, Don lobbied at state and federal levels, and inevitably, the issues were related to natural resources. In 1995, he managed a campaign that successfully defended a Washington statewide ballot initiative (I-640), and in 1996 he ran for the United States Congress in Washington’s 1st District.

In his early career, Don was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He holds a B.S. and a law degree from the University of Washington. He is also a former skipper—the vessel was his own 47′ Alaska commercial salmon fishing boat.

Don lives in Seattle.