Barton "Buzz" Thompson, Jr., is Robert E. Paradise Professor of Natural Resources Law, and Director of the Stanford University Institute for the Environment.

Thompson is particularly active in the areas of natural resources law, water law, international environmental law, environmental law, and property. He chairs the Board of Directors of the Natural Heritage Institute and is a member of the Board of the Resources Legacy Fund.

Thompson clerked to judge Joseph T. Sneed of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, in 1976 and 1977. He clerked to Justice William Rehnquist, U.S. Supreme Court, in 1977 and 1978, and he practiced law with the firm of O'Melveny & Myers from 1978 to 1986, being named a Partner in 1984.

Thompson earned his B.A. degree from Stanford University in 1972 and JD/MBA degrees from Stanford in 1976.