Michael D. O. Rusco

Michael D. O. Rusco is an Associate Professor of Law and Senior Fellow at the Native American Law & Policy Institute at Southern University Law Center (SULC). He holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Houston, J.D. and LL.M. from the University of Wisconsin Law School. His career includes roles as Senior Tribal Counsel for the Ho-Chunk Nation, Assistant Attorney General for Wisconsin, and legal academic appointments at multiple institutions.

Education:

• University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D. 1998, LL.M. 2010)
• University of Houston (B.A. Journalism 1993)

Research Interests: Focuses on tribal sovereignty, federal-state-tribal relations, and indigenous rights. Specializes in tribal governance structures, political participation mechanisms, and legal frameworks for preserving cultural sovereignty. His work explores topics such as citizenship requirements, voting rights legislation, and sustainable tribal development strategies.

Professional Achievements:

• Published in North Dakota Law Review and William Mitchell Law Review
• Presented at tribal law conferences and legal writing symposia
• Authored Tribal Administration Handbook chapter on federal/state political influence

Advising & Practice: Advised Ho-Chunk Nation’s Department of Business on multimillion-dollar projects including casino renovations and IT vendor disputes. Served as judicial officer in tribal courts. Active in legal writing pedagogy innovations.

Labs/Teams: Leads research initiatives at Native American Law & Policy Institute. Collaborates with Tribal In-House Counsel Association and Legal Writing Institute.