The National Animal Law Competitions were originally conceived in 2004 by Lewis & Clark Law School, with support from the Animal Legal Defense Fund and in collaboration with Harvard Law School. The competition was created by Laura Ireland, who went on to become associate director of Vermont Law & Graduate School's Animal Law and Policy Institute. From the first competition through 2016, Lewis & Clark led the organization and administration — first through its animal law faculty, and from 2008 onward through its newly established Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) — building the NALC into the most prestigious student competition in the field.

At its peak, the NALC drew over 70 law students from nearly 30 law schools across the country, competing in three distinct events: Appellate Moot Court, Closing Argument, and Legislative Drafting & Lobbying. The competition was unique in its scope — it addressed animal law not just as a litigation exercise, but as a policy and legislative challenge as well, anticipating the field's evolution toward movement lawyering.

After a hiatus from 2017 through 2022, the competition was revived in March 2023 thanks to the generous support of The Brooks Institute for Animal Rights Law & Policy, which organized the 2023 and 2024 competitions in partnership with Harvard Law School, Lewis & Clark Law School, and Vermont Law & Graduate School. The competition returned to its traditional home at Harvard Law School for both years.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund now leads the NALC, bringing institutional depth, a national student chapter network, and direct connection to the frontlines of animal protection law. ALDF has been a partner in this competition since its inception — and its current Executive Director, Chris Green, won the closing argument competition at the inaugural 2004 event as a Harvard Law student.