Student Involvement

Native American Law Student Association (NALSA)

The Native American Law Student Association provides support for Indian as well as non-Indian students who are interested in pursuing a career in Indian law. NALSA also works with other law student organizations on campus to address issues important to minority students and to educate the larger community through speaker panels and other activities.

NNALSA Moot Court

The National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court Competition is an annual appellate advocacy competition sponsored by the National Native American Law Students Association. The competition topic presents issues on Federal Indian law and tribal governance. Each year, the competition attracts local NALSA teams from around the country to compete, network, and develop lasting friendships with other individuals who wish to practice Indian law. The competition is hosted by a law school each year during the first week of March.

Indian Law Writing Competitions

Students looking to publish their legal research and persuasive papers, as well as earn financial reward, should consider submitting their work to one of the Indian Law writing competitions.

2021-2022:

The 21st Annual National Native American Law Student Association’s Writing Competition  was hosted by Lewis & Clark Law School, in partnership with Lewis & Clark Law Review and the Indian Law Program.  Coordinated by Lewis & Clark Law student Rohan Hiatt, the competition received a diverse range of papers centered around the theme of “Innovation in Indigenous Sovereignty and Independence.” Here are the results!

First: Anela Summers, University of Washington School of Law, Sovereign Safety Measures: Applying the Second Montana Exception to Fight COVID-19 and Strengthen Tribal Sovereignty
Second: Mitchell Forbes, University of Michigan Law School, Beyond Indian Country: The Sovereign Powers of Alaska Tribes Without Reservations
Third: Nicholas Stamates, University of Michigan Law School, The Aftermath of McGirt: Problems and Possible Solutions Relating to White Collar Crime in the City of Tulsa
Dr. Carma Corcoran (Chippewa-Cree) and Professor Christina Parker (Chippewa-Cree) served as competition judges. The Indian Law Section of the Oregon State Bar generously contributed the scholarship funding for the winners. Dante Pavan served as our supporting representative from National NALSA, and  the LC NALSA Board provided advice and assistance throughout the organization of the competition.