National Tribal Judicial Academy
The Indian Nations Gaming & Governance (INGG) Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the National Tribal Judicial Center at the National Judicial College have joined forces to expand training and professional development opportunities for tribal judges across Indian Country. This year’s National Tribal Judicial Academy is designed to prepare tribal citizens — including those without formal legal training — to serve effectively on the bench. Participants may have started their tribal judicial service or their Tribe may have expressed interest in their service on the Tribal Court.
This landmark program brings together academic instruction and hands-on practical experience tailored to the unique needs of tribal legal systems, offering an immersive 3.5-day training academy held August 10–13, 2026, at the William S. Boyd School of Law in Las Vegas. Registration is $1,000, with full and partial scholarships available to ensure broad access for participants from tribal communities nationwide.
The National Tribal Judicial Academy offers training on substantive legal principles, judicial practice and courtroom management. Over the course of the program, participants will engage in practical courtroom simulations for bench-skills development, expert-led sessions on modern court management, technology, and judicial wellness, as well as collaborative discussions on alternative dispute resolution, evidence, and working with law enforcement. The academy culminates in a final mock trial and graduation ceremony, equipping judges and court administrators with the tools, resources, and professional network needed to strengthen tribal court systems in their communities.