New attorney comes to town

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
While being in a small community has its perks, it also comes with its challenges. One such challenge is the lack of legal services close to home. However, Michael Stulken, new deputy county attorney in Weston County, is the new lawyer in town, and he also has a private practice here in Newcastle. 
After Weston County Attorney Alex Berger’s previous deputy attorney, Sage Smith, accepted a job elsewhere, Berger searched for someone to fill the spot. 
“I was looking for a replacement that would move to Newcastle,” Berger said. 
Berger said he wanted someone with enough experience to branch out in a private practice in addition to serving as deputy county attorney. Berger has known Stulken for about a year, he said, and worked on a couple of cases with him. Because Stulken has about 15 years’ experience and has done private practice, Berger said he knew he would be good for the job. 
“I thought he’d be a good fit,” Berger said. “The county attorney’s office is now fully staffed.” 
Stulken worked as a lawyer in Sweetwater County and then had a private practice in Gillette for a while, but he wanted to be closer to family in Spearfish. The job in Newcastle seemed like a perfect opportunity, Stulken said. He also knew that Newcastle lacked local attorneys, so he wanted to give Weston County an opportunity to seek local legal advice. 
Stulken started at the county attorney’s office part time in March, and he began working there full time the beginning of April. His private practice also opened for business the beginning of April.
“I really like the area,” Stulken said. 
Stulken’s interest in law began when he was in college. After he graduated from Spearfish High School, he attended Black Hills State University. He obtained a political science degree and decided he wanted to put it to practical use, he said, so he attended law school at the University of Wyoming. 
After earning his law degree in 2005, he clerked for a judge in Casper for a year, before entering private practice, which he has been doing since. 
“I’ve done private practice for over a decade,” Stulken said. 
Stulken’s mission as an attorney stems from his desire to do his best to repair situations as much as possible when someone has been wronged, he said. It is important to have a perspective centered on advocating for one’s clients, he said, but not at all costs. Justice is always top priority, he said. 
“It has given me a more grounded and realistic view of the world,” Stulken said, noting that those he has met through his job – different people he has encountered from various walks of life – have given him differing views of the world that have deepened his perspective. 
Stulken said that he is excited to become a part of the community and help the people of Newcastle with any of their legal needs. 
“My biggest goal is that this is a long-term endeavor,” Stulken said. “It’s very exciting to start this new adventure.”