Native American Law Student Association

Mission Statement

Membership Information

Activities

Officers

Mission Statement

The Native American Law Students Association provides an organization for American Indian Law Students to promote unity and cooperation among the Indian law students, and to provide a basis for which work can be done for the advancement of Indian people.  Our goals are to provide better communication among American Indian law students and the Indian people, Indian lawyers, the general public and to provide a forum for the discussion of legal problem relating to law affecting American Indians.

Why should you consider joining NALSA?

Oklahoma hosts the second largest Native American population in the United States.1  No matter what area of law you plan to practice, chances are you’ll encounter issues relating to Indian law.  The fields include administrative law, property law, contract law, family law and environmental law just to name a few.  While once considered a practice area for small firms and solo lawyers, some of the nation’s largest firms have begun building practice groups to meet the needs of tribes and their members.2

NALSA provides not only the opportunity to learn more about Indian law and culture but also opens the door to networking opportunities with legal professionals in the Native American community.  In addition, NALSA is committed to service-oriented projects where you will have the opportunity to help make a positive influence in the community.   

1 Census 2000 Brief, U.S. Census Bureau, The American Indian and Alaska Native Population: 2000 (February 2002).

2 Lisa Stansky, Sovereignty and Culture Stand Out in Indian Law, 32 Student Lawyer 8 (April 2004). 

Activities

Next Meeting is Thursday, October 14

5:00 pm, Sarkeys Room 104

Topic: Agenda for Upcoming Year

National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court Competition

The National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court Competition will be held in Seattle, Washington on February 10th and 11th, 2005.

Each two-member team will be judged on both a written brief and oral arguments.  Professor Kelly Stoner, Director of the Native American Legal Resource Center, and Casey Ross-Petherick, Assistant Director, will select two teams for entrance in the competition.  Upon satisfactory completion of the requirements, each member of these two teams may receive his or her writing credit for participation in the competition. 

As part of the selection process, Professor Stoner and Ms. Ross-Petherick will interview those interested in competing.  Interviews will be held on September 22nd and 23rd  in the Native American Legal Resources Center. 

You will be required to submit a short writing sample at the time of your interview. 

If you have a partner in mind for your team, please coordinate with that individual, as both of you will need to be interviewed.  Please keep in mind that individuals will be paired to make the most competitive teams, based on the interviews and writing samples, so your team may or may not be comprised with your chosen partner. 

In order to schedule an interview, please email Casey Ross-Petherick, Assistant Director, Native American Legal Resources Center, at CRossPetherick@okcu.edu.  Interviews will last approximately 15 minutes each. 

Official Deadlines for the Competition are as follows:

Officers