Our Interview With Ashley Hamilton, President and Colin Tompson , Moot Court Administrator of National Native American Law Students Association

By The Juris Education Interview Team

Ashley Hamilton is the President, and Colin Tompson is the Moot Court Administrator of the National Native American Law Students Association.

1. What are some of the biggest takeaways or real-world benefits that students gain from participating in a mock trial or moot court competition?

The National Native American Law Students Association (NNALSA) Moot Court is a fantastic way to build your legal research, drafting, and advocacy skills while gaining exposure to current issues in Federal Indian Law. When I competed, I could feel myself growing more comfortable with public speaking and oral argument every round and I left the competition feeling much more comfortable in a courtroom. Also, competing gave me something unique to talk about in job interviews as most lawyers aren’t that familiar with Federal Indian Law issues and were excited to talk about something different.

2. What’s the most challenging and the most rewarding aspect of participating in such a competition?

Certainly, the most challenging aspect is the legal research and preparation. It can be anxiety inducing to not know if you are approaching a legal issue the same way as other competitors. Of course, that’s also true of real legal work. Conversely, getting to put all of that research to work in an oral argument is really satisfying.

3. How would you say mock trials help students feel prepared for a career in law?

If you think you may spend any time at all in a courtroom during your legal career, NNALSA Moot Court is a fantastic opportunity to build and practice some of those fundamental advocacy skills you will need later on. NNALSA is also a great networking opportunity for Native students and law students with an interest in Federal Indian Law as you will engage with other law students with similar interests and the competition judges who represent all areas of Federal Indian Law and appellate advocacy.

4. What advice would you give to those who are trying to find the right mock trial competition for them?

Moot court problems offer you an opportunity to spend much more time on specific legal topics than you will in a law school class; they also allow you to cover entire areas of law that you may not come across in a typical law school curriculum. As such, NNALSA moot court is a fantastic opportunity to think deeply and critically about Federal Indian Law issues that you do not get to see otherwise as a law student. NNALSA looks forward to welcoming competitors to Northwestern Pritzker School of Law on February 13 and 14, 2026 for our 34th Annual Moot Court Competition.

Juris Education is proud to interview experts like Ashley Hamilton and Colin Tompson to help future lawyers understand the benefits of extracurricular involvement in college. Learn more about how our experts can help you get into law school today.