Moot court team advances to final rounds in competition

The Indian Legal Program and the ASU National Native American Law Students Association recently sent two teams to compete in the National NALSA Moot Court competition at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

“Our teams made a strong showing and the judges commented on both teams’ command of the law and complex legal issues,” said Patty Ferguson-Bohnee, faculty director of the Indian Legal Program.

The issues involved complex constitutional, administrative and federal Indian law issues, which mirrored issues currently facing Native Hawaiians.

Four students, Stephanie Whisnant, Matthew Murdock, Stephanie Skogan and Brett Stavin, competed. Stavin and Skogan advanced to the Sweet 16 and ranked 10th going into the final rounds, Ferguson-Bohnee said.

“The NALSA Hawaii Moot Court Competition was a great experience,” Skogan said. “The competition develops brief writing and oral advocacy skills, focusing on the area of federal Indian law. It was fantastic to meet National NALSA members from all over the country.”

The students practiced for five weeks, at least four times a week, said Ferguson- Bohnee.

“Thanks to all who assisted in prepping our students for the competition,” Ferguson-Bohnee said. “Their preparation was clearly evident to those who witnessed their presentations.”