About
The National Native American Law Student Association (NNALSA) Moot Court Competition is the only national law school competition that focuses on issues relating to Tribal Nations and federal Indian law. The competition simulates an appellate argument before the U.S. Supreme Court. Participants work in teams of two students and collaborate on a written appellate brief and the subsequent oral argument. The competition usually includes between up to 70 teams from around the country.
NNALSA Moot Court Competition academic credit
NNALSA Moot Court Competition participation results in 2 credits which are earned in the spring semester or with special permission may be split between JTerm and the spring semester for 1 credit each. The participation is graded on a pass/fail basis.
Student Eligibility
All student members of our Mitchell Hamline NALSA chapter are welcome to participate. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in or have completed the 4313 Native American Law course. Students selected for the competition should not enroll in any J-Term courses. In October, the Competition Coach provides notice on the eligibility requirements and invites students to apply for spots to represent Mitchell Hamline NALSA in the competition. Students are selected and assigned to two-person teams for the competition.
Competition Information
Law schools from around the country bid to host the NNALSA Moot Court Competition every spring. The host law school then releases registration information and the moot court problem by early November. The competition is hosted in a different law school location each year.
When the problem is released, the two-person teams research, draft and finalize a brief in November and December with submission in early January. After the briefs are submitted by all teams, the Moot Court coach provides a practice schedule for January and February. NALS Institute alumni are called upon to serve as practice judges for the law school teams.
The competition is held the last weekend in February. The NNALSA Moot Court Competition is often mentioned as the highlight of law school for many of the alumni who were NALSA officers and members.
Coach Contact
For more information, please contact the coach: Professor Angelique EagleWoman.