The National Tribal Trial College Certificate in Tribal Court Legal Advocacy is a tuition-free, 6-month, legal skill-building course empowering laypersons to practice law in Tribal Courts across the United States of America. Close to 400 Tribal Court Legal Advocates representing 127 Tribes from 27 states have completed the intensive litigation Certificates in partnership with the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, the University of Wisconsin Law School, and the University of Wisconsin Madison Division of Extension.
Certificate in Tribal Court Legal Advocacy
Now in its 13th 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 serve thousands of American Indian/Alaska Native clients each year who otherwise would have had no access to foundational legal services and representation.
Taught by Indian Country and Alaska’s leading litigation experts, students complete a 20-week/200-hour, interactive, online course before attending a 40-hour, on-site, hands-on trial skills training at the University of Wisconsin Law School. All coursework employs Native American adult learning 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, council members, prosecutors, legal services providers, and judges, promoting safety, sovereignty, and the rule of law.
Advanced Certificate in Tribal Court Legal Advocacy
Now in its 7th year, the Advanced Certificate in Tribal Court Legal Advocacy trains National Tribal Trial College graduates who have successfully completed the foundational course to litigate contested family law cases against law school trained opposing counsel in their own tribal courts. Held every other year, Advanced Certificate students also learn enforcement of tribal court orders and judgments across jurisdictions, basic appellate practice, and the effective use of expert witnesses at trial.
Taught by Indian Country and Alaska tribal court judges, attorneys, and legal advocates, students complete a 7-week/70-hour, interactive, online course before attending a 32-hour, onsite, hands-on trial skills “boot camp” at the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Foundational Course
- The Foundational Course is held every year
- Applications are open December 1st 2026 – January 15th 2027
- The course is tuition-free
- This is a 20-week online course (1 week in person at the University of Wisconsin Law School in July)
- Priority of admission is reserved for advocates who serve American Indian/Alaska Native survivors of sexual assault & domestic violence
Advanced Course
- The Advanced Course is held every even year
- Applications are open in February of every even-numbered year
- The course is tuition-free
- This is a 7-week online course (with 4 days in person at the University of Wisconsin Law School in July)
- Only graduates of the Foundational Course can apply for admission to the Advanced Course
Who should attend?
Priority admission is reserved for advocates who work with American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Other individuals who show a connection to working with AI/AN sexual assault or domestic violence survivors will also be considered.
How is the course taught?
This 6-month Certificate is taught in 2 parts: The first part consists of 20 weeks of interactive, online instruction requiring a time commitment of approximately 10 hours per week from each student. All course materials are free and provided online. There is no textbook for students to purchase. Students view weekly videotaped lectures and complete written assignments tailored to their own tribal justice systems. Discussion forums allow students to learn about each other’s Tribal justice systems while sharing troubleshooting and problem-solving techniques helpful for advancing safety and justice. The second part of the course is a 40 hour, in-person, hands-on litigation institute at the University of Wisconsin Law School. The 40-hour course is held in Madison, Wisconsin and provides a safe, but challenging space for students to build upon their litigation skills. Students gain practical experience litigating a case in mock courtrooms with the assistance of witnesses and tribal court judges to enhance the trial experience. There is no textbook for students to purchase. However, it is highly recommended that students purchase their own copy of American Indian Law in a Nutshell, 7th Edition by William Canby, Jr. (available on Amazon) as a resource for use throughout the course and their future legal careers.
How much does it cost to enroll?
There is no tuition for qualified participants to take the online course. However, students are required to fund their travel, lodging and meals while attending the required on-site portion of the course. The National Tribal Trial College does not provide scholarships for travel, meals, or lodging. However, the Office on Violence Against Women traditionally authorizes expenditure of grant funds awarded to your Tribe or program to cover your onsite costs for the 40-hour course in Madison, Wisconsin. Please consult with your OVW grant program manager for additional information and approval.
Graduates and Courses
