KU Law team wins championship at national Indian law moot court competition

Margaret Hair

LAWRENCE – For the second consecutive year, a University of Kansas School of Law team won first place at the National Native American Law Students Association (NNALSA) Moot Court Competition.

Emily Depew, left, and Douglas Bartel, right, in front of Green HallSecond-year law students Emily Depew, of Neodesha, and Douglas Bartel, of Olathe, defeated a team from Boston University School of Law in the final round of the virtual competition Feb. 27. Depew and Bartel also won the third-place award for best overall advocates. Forty-seven teams from law schools around the country competed.

"This year's problem was exceptionally challenging because it required us to be compassionate advocates in light of unsettling factual circumstances. I am grateful for the coaches, faculty and alumni who pushed us in practice rounds to be strong and respectful advocates, regardless of if we were representing the Indian Nation or the government,” Depew said.

Depew was also on KU Law’s NNALSA national championship team in 2021, taking the top prize with teammate Zachary Kelsay, L’21. KU Law won the national title in 2016 and 2019. Teams brought home second-place finishes in 2015 and 2017, and a third-place finish in 2020.

NNALSA moot court team members in front of Green HallThree additional teams competed at the event, including Kevin Barnett, of Portsmouth, Rhode Island; Clay Karpowich, of Lenexa; Braydn Monhollon, of Berryton; Heddy Pierce-Armstrong, of El Dorado; Brittany Ussery, of Jackson, Missouri; and Alexandra Valin, of Haifa, Israel.

“This year's NNALSA Moot Court squad faced immense pressure to repeat as national champions,” said Shawn Watts, KU Law lecturer and team co-coach. “All four teams worked hard to help one another sharpen their mastery of the law and hone their oral argument skills. The best part of KU's NNALSA Moot Court program is our willingness to make the success of the entire squad our priority. The hard work and sacrifice of our team members are the reasons we perform so well every year.”

The NNALSA competition tests students’ knowledge of Indian law by evaluating their legal writing and oral advocacy skills. Students submit written briefs and participate in a simulated courtroom experience.

“Competing in NNALSA has been one of the most challenging, mentally stimulating and rewarding parts of my law school experience,” Bartel said.

Watts coached the moot court teams with 2019 KU Law graduates Nancy Musick and Chris Carey. Several KU law faculty and alumni assisted in judging practice rounds.

“We are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication all of our teams showed this year,” Musick said. “The students showed up for early morning strategy sessions and weekend practice rounds, on top of their other school obligations. Most importantly, all the students supported each other through the process, sharing ideas, arguments and outline tips. Our victory this year is truly a team effort, and we can't wait to represent KU at the competition again next year.”

KU Law’s moot court program is ranked No. 13 in the country, based on 2021 rankings from the University of Houston Law Center. Additional highlights from the 2021-2022 competition season so far: