Knudson School of Law Announces Tom Simmons as Inaugural Trusts and Estates Endowed Chair
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“I am humbled that I was chosen for this position,” said Simmons. “South Dakota is the premier trust jurisdiction in the world. The state has only one law school and only one position for an academic who teaches trust and estates law. The recognition that the chair position lends to the support for innovation, reform and continued excellence in trust law is invaluable.”
The appointment recognizes Simmons as one of the state’s leading experts in trusts and estates and affirms the central role the Knudson School of Law plays in sustaining South Dakota’s position in the trust industry.
Simmons also currently serves as the Commissioner of the Uniform Laws Commission, a gubernatorial appointee to the Governor’s Task Force on Trust Administration Review and Reform. He previously held the position of state chair of the American College of Trust and Estates Council.
The endowed chair position was made possible thanks to gifts from Pierce McDowell III, Al King III and the South Dakota Trust Company. Gifts to endowments support a stable and ongoing source of funding. With this support, USD will ensure that South Dakota’s future lawyer leaders continue to have the opportunity to learn from one of the brightest minds in trust and estates law.
“This endowed chair position puts USD and the Knudson School of Law in the spotlight. It showcases the emphasis on trust law that benefits not only South Dakota, but trust settlors and beneficiaries across the country and the world,” Simmons explained. “USD students will benefit from this position by tracing their education lineage to an institution that values educational excellence and reform, as well as to donors who share those same commitments.”
Neil Fulton, J.D., dean of the Knudson School of Law, emphasized that Simmons embodies the model of a practitioner-scholar that the law school seeks to cultivate.
“The trust industry has had a tremendous and positive impact on South Dakota. A critical part of that has been developing a body of law that sustains that industry and developing lawyers with expertise to serve clients well. The law school has been a partner in that work by having a strong commitment to faculty in trust and estate law who combine practical experience with technical expertise,” said Neil Fulton, J.D., dean of the Knudson School of Law. “Tom Simmons is the model of what that faculty position can be. The creation of the McDowell, King, and SDTC Chair recognizes Tom’s leadership and ability and will facilitate recruiting and retaining his successors to sustain this important partnership.”
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