The National Tribal Trial College Certificate in Tribal Court Legal Advocacy is a free, 6-month, skill building course empowering laypersons to practice law in Tribal Courts across the United States of America. 203 Tribal Court Legal Advocates representing 92 Tribes from 26 states have completed the intensive litigation Certificate in partnership with the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women and the University of Wisconsin Law School.
An Advanced Certificate in Tribal Court Legal Advocacy will again be offered in 2024.
Now in its 9th year, the National Tribal Trial College addresses the shortage of legal practitioners in Indian Country and Alaska by training laypersons to litigate in the areas of greatest need: divorce, child custody, visitation, child support, domestic violence protection orders, and victim rights. NTTC graduates have served thousands of American Indian/Alaska Native clients across the United States who otherwise would have had no access to foundational legal services.
Taught by Indian Country’s leading litigation experts, students complete a 20-week/200-hour, interactive, online course before attending a 40-hour, onsite, hands-on trial skills training at the University of Wisconsin Law School. All coursework employs Native American adult learning style principles and is focused on meeting the real-world justice needs of Tribal communities.
Students learn legal research and writing skills in addition to practical, ‘’nuts and bolts” trial skills. The legal skills acquired in the 240-hour NTTC course also empower graduates to serve in important leadership roles within their Tribes as elected Chairpersons, Councilmembers, prosecutors, and judges promoting safety, sovereignty, and the rule of law."