Stratton, along with economist and former economics professor, Harry Messenheimer, founded the Rio Grande Foundation (RGF). The RGF was founded as an academic free market think tank to provide economic research for decision makers in New Mexico. The RGF website states: The Rio Grande Foundation of New Mexico is an independent, non-partisan, tax-exempt research and educational organization dedicated to the study of public policy. The Foundation promotes prosperity for New Mexico based on principles of limited government, economic freedom and individual responsibility. The Rio Grande Foundation neither seeks nor accepts government funding. The Foundation relies solely on generosity of individuals and institutions in the private sector to fund its activities. After being nominated as chairman of the CPSC, Stratton resigned as chairman and president of the RGF and severed all ties with the organization. After Stratton's departure in 2002, Messenheimer continued operation of the organization which is now run by the president, Paul Gessing. Legal career During his last semester in law school, Stratton worked for the Oklahoma City Municipal Counselor's Office where he prosecuted DUI cases on behalf of the city and tried two jury trials. After graduating from law school, Stratton moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1977 and joined the law firm, Coors, Singer and Broullire as an associate. In 1984, Stratton and former state senator, Mickey Barnett, formed the law firm of Stratton & Barnett, which existed until 1987 when Stratton assumed the position of New Mexico Attorney General. After leaving the New Mexico Attorney General's office in 1991, Stratton formed a law firm of Stratton & Cavin with partner Sealy Cavin, which existed until 2002 prior to Stratton's departure to become chairman of the CPSC. After leaving the CPSC in 2006, Stratton joined the Washington, D.C., office of the law firm, Dykema Gossett, where he practiced until April 2008. He then returned to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to join the Albuquerque office of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, where he now practices. Stratton is a member of the New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and District of Columbia bars. He is also admitted before the U.S. Supreme Court as well as a number of federal appellate and district courts. Stratton is an adjunct professor of law at the George Mason University School of Law, where he teaches a law course he created, State Attorneys General: History, Powers and Responsibilities. Public appearances During the course of his career Stratton