Stephen Easton
University of Missouri Law Professor Stephen D. Easton has been named dean of the University of Wyoming College of Law. His appointment begins July 1, subject to approval by the UW Board of Trustees. He replaces Professor Jerry Parkinson, who has served as dean of the law school since 1998.
Easton's research, writing, and speaking focus on expert witnesses, effective trial advocacy and professional responsibility (ethics). Easton joined the MU faculty in 1998 and is now the C.A. Leedy Professor of Law. He is a popular continuing legal education speaker who has been invited to speak to groups of practicing trial attorneys in dozens of states.
"I am excited to continue advancing the growth of the College of Law," Easton wrote in his acceptance letter. "The college has a combination of strong resources, including an outstanding faculty, a dedicated staff, and enthusiastic students, as well as superb opportunities to link with UW's initiatives in natural resources and energy. The college enjoys impressive support from its alumni across (and beyond) the state."
Since joining the MU faculty in 1998, he has won several university and national teaching and writing awards, including the Pound Civil Justice Institute Richard S. Jacobson Award for Excellence in Teaching Trial Advocacy, the University of Missouri's William T. Kemper Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching, the American Inns of Court Warren E. Burger Writing Prize and Mizzou's Excellence in Education and Golden Chalk Awards.
In law school, Professor Easton was associate managing editor of the Stanford Law Review and president of the Stanford Law Forum. Before starting his teaching career, he was a law clerk to The Honorable Joseph T. Sneed of the United States Court of Appeals in San Francisco, Calif.; an associate and partner with the Pearce & Durick in Bismarck, N.D.; and the U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota in Fargo and Bismarck, N.D.
He is the author of "How to Win Jury Trials: Building Credibility with Judges and Jurors," a handbook for trial attorneys.
Easton earned his A.A. (1978) at Northland Community and Technical College, received his B.A. summa cum laude (1980) at Dickinson State University and earned his J.D. (1983) at Stanford Law School.
Founded in 1920, the UW College of Law has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1923 and in 1985 was granted membership in the Order of the Coif, a national honorary society that recognizes excellence in legal education. Fewer than half of American law schools have been granted such membership. It is among the country's smallest law schools, providing increased opportunities to participate in student organizations, law review, moot court and trial competitions and other activities.
Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009