Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Matthew L.M. Fletcher is the Harry Burns Hutchins Collegiate Professor of Law and Professor of American Culture at the University of Michigan. He specializes in Federal Indian Law, Anishinaabe legal philosophy, constitutional law, and legal ethics. He serves as Chief Justice for multiple tribal nations and appellate judge for additional tribes. Previously, he taught at Michigan State University College of Law and the University of North Dakota School of Law. He has authored influential works such as Federal Indian Law and co-edited the Restatement of the Law of American Indians. His scholarship has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court, and he leads the law blog Turtle Talk. Educated at the University of Michigan Law School (1997) and undergraduate (1994), he has extensive tribal legal experience including roles as a tribal attorney and judiciary member.

Education:

• J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1997
• B.A., University of Michigan, 1994

Research Interests: Fletcher’s work bridges legal scholarship and tribal governance, focusing on tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and Anishinaabe jurisprudence. His recent projects explore AI in tribal courts, Indigenous legal theory, and the federal trust responsibility. He advocates for decolonizing legal frameworks through interdisciplinary approaches.

Professional Contributions: As a judicial leader across multiple tribal nations, Fletcher emphasizes equitable legal practices. His 2022 Restatement project codifies key principles of federal Indian law. He frequently teaches at Indigenous pre-law programs and advises on tribal court reforms.

Labs/Teams: Maintains Turtle Talk, a leading blog analyzing current Indian law issues, and collaborates with tribal legal institutions on policy initiatives.