Neel U. Sukhatme, a renowned legal expert, has been named the David A. Breach Dean of Law and professor of law, with tenure, at the Law School. His appointment, approved by the Board of Regents on March 20, takes effect on July 1, 2025, and is set to last through June 30, 2030, with the possibility of renewal. This announcement brings a new chapter of leadership to the institution, highlighting Michigan Law’s commitment to excellence in legal education.
Provost Laurie K. McCauley expressed enthusiasm for Sukhatme’s appointment, noting his career marked by innovation and commitment to public good. “Professor Sukhatme’s career has been defined by relentless innovation and a consistent dedication to the public good. I am so pleased to welcome him to Michigan,” she stated. Sukhatme aims to enhance the Law School’s reputation in legal education and research.
Sukhatme, coming from Georgetown University Law Center where he was associate dean for research, emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in legal education. “I look forward to building on the Law School’s many strengths and helping it shape the future of legal education, practice and interdisciplinary collaboration in a time of rapid technological change,” Sukhatme said.
At Georgetown, Sukhatme led strategic initiatives in research and academic programming, faculty recruitment, and budgeting. He joined Georgetown in 2015, was promoted to professor in 2021, and has held the Anne Fleming Research Professor title since 2023.
His academic credentials include a B.S. in computer engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and a Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University. His diverse expertise in criminology, patent law, public law, and election law is recognized in esteemed publications, including the Duke Law Journal and Harvard Law Review. Sukhatme’s research has influenced public policy and media discussions, particularly in felony disenfranchisement.
Beyond academia, he served as a visiting scholar at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and co-founded Free Our Vote and Spindrop. These roles showcase his commitment to voting rights and innovation in music technology.
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