Current Position and Past Experience
Stephen (Steve) D. Easton, J.D., was named the 13th permanent president of Dickinson State University during a State Board of Higher Education meeting March, 26, 2020, after serving in an interim role for more than four months. Easton graduated summa cum laude from DSU in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in accounting and a minor in business administration. He was the third generation of his family to choose Dickinson State. After earning his undergraduate degree at DSU, Easton enrolled in Stanford Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1983.
Easton practiced law for more than 20 years before returning to higher education as a professor and administrator. During this time, he was a law clerk to The Honorable Joseph T. Sneed of the United States Court of Appeals in San Francisco, California; an associate and partner with the Pearce & Durick in Bismarck, North Dakota; and the United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota in Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota.
Education, Honors and Achievements
Easton has a strong personal connection to Dickinson State University. Easton, who graduated summa cum laude from DSU in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a minor in business administration, was the third generation of his family to choose Dickinson State. After earning his undergraduate degree at DSU, Easton enrolled in Stanford Law School where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1983.
Personal Details and Community Involvement
As a professor, Easton's research, writing, and speaking focused on expert witnesses, effective trial advocacy, and professional responsibility (ethics). He is the author of How to Win Jury Trials: Building Credibility with Judges and Jurors, a handbook for trial attorneys. He is a popular continuing legal education speaker who has been invited to speak to groups of practicing trial attorneys in dozens of states. He has led two Spence Law Firm Historic Trials: State of Wyoming v. Amos W. Barber (regarding the Johnson County Cattle War) on October 29, 2014, and U.S. v. John Wilkes Booth (regarding the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln) on April 11, 2016.
