Last month, ILP students Samir Grover (3L), Clayton Kinsey (3L), Sadie Red Eagle (2L) and Natalia Sells (3L) competed in the annual National Native American Law Students Association (NNALSA) Moot Court Competition hosted at the University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law. This year’s teams were coached by the Indian Legal Clinic Director Patty Ferguson-Bohnee and Native Vote Democracy Director Joel Edman.

Congratulations to Clayton Kinsey (3L) and Samir Grover (3L) for advancing to the elite 8.

Participating in the NNALSA Moot Court for a second time, Kinsey built on his skills and approached each round with confidence. “It pushes the competitors to expand their advocacy skills beyond the traditional law school curriculum,” said Kinsey. “Second, the competition and skills are preparing Native law students for the real-world of appellate advocacy – a space that is, unfortunately, lacking in diversity and rarely includes Native representation despite the many cases focused on Native issues. Finally, the competition is fun and a great opportunity to meet other students and practitioners interested in Indian Law from across the country. This year included 51 teams! It was awesome to be involved.”