UW College of Law Professor Honored by the Ewing T. Kerr American Inns of Court

Professor Steve Easton was honored by the Ewing T. Kerr American Inns of Court chapter with the Thomas G. Gorman Excellence in Professionalism Award for 2017.

The award is presented to one individual each year that exemplifies the highest standards of excellence, integrity, ethics and professionalism in the practice of law. The award was created for the chapter in 2004. Past recipients include:

Judge Alan B. Johnson (J.D. '64)

Rhonda Woodard

Greg Dyekman (J.D. '80)

Judge Edward Grant (J.D. '66)

Bruce Salzburg

Justice Catherine M. Fox (J.D. '89)

Justice E. James Burke (J.D. '77)

Judge Peter Arnold (J.D. '73)

Ray Macchia (J.D. '97)

Michael B. Rosenthal (J.D. '81)

Professor Easton was nominated by his peers, and selected as this year’s recipient by the Executive Committee on the Ewing T. Kerr Inns of Court chapter.

Sean Larson, the secretary for the Ewing T. Kerr American Inns of Court says, “The Executive Committee selects the recipient of the award from a group of nominees that best exemplify the standards of professionalism and integrity. Professor Easton was extremely deserving of this recognition.”

Easton is the William T. Schwartz Professor of Law. He came to Wyoming to serve as the Dean of the College of Law in 2009, a position he held until 2013. Prior to the deanship, Easton was a law professor at the University of Missouri School of Law, and previously served as a United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota. Since stepping out of his administrative role, Easton has remained a senior faculty member for the College of Law where he teaches Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and Trial Advocacy.

Easton has been a member of the Ewing T. Kerr American Inns of Court since he arrived in 2009. He was also instrumental in bringing forth a proposal that allowed a select few current law students to participate in the Inns of Court as well, a tradition that is still in place today.

Easton is also the creator of the Summer Trial Institute, which is a two-week long, intensive trial practice course that relies heavily on the teaching support of members from the practicing Bar in Wyoming and surrounding areas. Throughout the wildly successful program, Easton has forged some strong connections with many attorneys and judges throughout the state.

“I am fortunate to do a lot of work with members of the practicing Bar,” he says. “It is really humbling to be honored by a group of attorneys and judges that see value in what we do.”

Understandably, Easton has been a go-to resource for ethics and rules of professional responsibility. The College of Law enthusiastically supports this award and congratulates Professor Easton on this well deserved honor!