National Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) Moot Court

The National Native American Law Student Association (NNALSA) Moot Court Competition is the only national law school competition that focuses on issues relating to Federal Indian Law and Tribal Nations. The competition simulates an appellate argument, typically one that would take place 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 60 and 70 teams from around the country.

Credits

Participation is worth two (2) credits.

You receive pass/fail credits for participating in National NALSA Moot Court. Those credits can be split between J-Term/Spring or solely placed within the Spring semester.

When/Where?

The moot court problem is usually released in early November each year, and two-person teams are required to research and write a brief, without any outside assistance, which is typically due on the first Monday of classes during the winter term (i.e., early January). After briefs are submitted, teams practice at least twice a week (5 hours) throughout the months of January and February with the coaches, as well as before guest judges who are typically Native American Law and Sovereignty (NALS) Institute alumni or practitioners.

The competition is usually two days (over a weekend), but we typically require teams to arrive at the location at least one day prior so we have an opportunity to rest, settle in, and practice before the competition begins.

Who can participate?

All student members of our NALSA Chapter are welcome to participate. In addition, students must have taken Federal Indian Law (offered every Fall & Spring semester). Students cannot take any J-Term courses during the year they participate in the competition, because in our experience, competitors need to spend this time working on their briefs. The coaches accept students who satisfy these prerequisites and express interest in the competition.  In recent years we have sent between four and seven teams to the competition, depending on our fundraising.

Coaches

For more information, please contact the coach: Professor Angelique EagleWoman

 

2022-23 Competition Information:

(as of 10/13/2022)

Dates

February 25 & 26, 2023

Format

In-Person @ University of Oklahoma, Norman – School of Law

Materials

2022-23  Rules & Problem – Coming Soon

Registration Opens

Dates TBA

Registration Closes

Dates TBA

Briefs Due

Dates TBA

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2021 Competition

Team Placement

• Round of 16, Cameron Giebink & Erika Mortenson

2015 Competition

Team Placement

• First place, Joshua Peterson and Scott Jurchisn

Brief Award

• First place, Joshua Peterson and Scott Jurchisn

2014 Competition

Team Placement

• First place, Ryan McCarthy (Eastern Cherokee) and Joshua Peterson
• Quarterfinals, Anna Light and Brieanna Hoban
• Round of 16, Kelly McGinty and Nicholas Leverson
• Round of 16, Melissa Lorentz and Rachel Mowry

 

Brief Award

• First place, Anna Light and Brieanna Hoban

 

2013 Competition

Individual Oralists

• Second place, Ryan McCarthy (Eastern Cherokee)
• Third place, Rachel Kowarski

Team Placement

• Third place, Veronica Newcomer (Turtle Mountain) and Rachel Kowarski
• Quarterfinals, Courtney Allensworth and Aram Desteian
• Quarterfinals, Ryan McCarthy (Eastern Cherokee) and Rachel Vesely
• Round of 16, Brieanna Hoban and Anna Light

2012 Competition

Individual Oralists

• Third place, Cecilia Knapp

Team Placement

• Round of 16, Jeffrey Holth, and Michael Murphy

2011 Competition

• Quarterfinals, David Abraham (Cherokee) and Doug Biglow
• Quarterfinals Stephanie Gassert (Fond du Lac) and Michael Murphy

2010 Competition

• Round of 16, Stephanie Gassert (Fond du Lac Band), and Lilo Kaiser