Neil Fulton

Neil Fulton serves as Dean of the University of South Dakota School of Law, bringing extensive practical legal experience to academic leadership. A summa cum laude University of Minnesota Law graduate (1997), he previously served as Federal Public Defender for North/South Dakota and Chief of Staff to South Dakota's Governor.

His educational credentials include:

• JD, University of Minnesota, 1997
• BA in Political Science, Yale University, 1994

Fulton's scholarship centers on Legal Ethics, Tribal Law, and Criminal Sentencing, with significant contributions to understanding tribal sovereignty in federal guidelines and ethical crisis planning. His work consistently bridges theoretical legal concepts with practical courtroom and policy applications, particularly regarding Native American legal systems and evolving trial advocacy challenges.

His publication record reveals evolving focus from banking law (2006-2007) to tribal sovereignty (2019) and contemporary challenges like fake news in trials (2018). Recent scholarship emphasizes leadership ethics in legal education and systemic analysis of constitutional amendments, reflecting his dual perspective as scholar and administrator.

Notable recognitions include:

• Devitt Award for Trial Advocacy Excellence (1997)
• Kaplan Award for Academic Achievement (1997)

Fulton maintains active engagement with legal practice through testimony before federal sentencing commissions and presentations on tribal justice issues. His leadership extends beyond scholarship to managing complex legal operations, evidenced by his oversight of 45-staff federal defender offices and state government operations during his gubernatorial service.