On November 30, 2018, as part of the American Collegiate Moot Court Competition, the College of the Holy Cross hosted the 2018 New England Regional Tournament. Collegiate teams of two from all over the United States and Canada traveled to Worcester to compete against one another in the event.
The various rounds of competition were judged by local attorneys and judges. Attorneys Katie M. McDonough and Michael G. McDonough, of Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, volunteered to serve as judges. Katie McDonough is an alumna of Holy Cross. They were joined by former Egan, Flanagan & Cohen attorney, Hon. Edward J. McDonough Jr., Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, who also volunteered as a judge.
Attorney Katie M. McDonough is no stranger to appellate advocacy, having successfully petitioned the New Jersey Supreme Court in 2014 to expand attorney practice rules in that state on behalf of military spouse attorneys stationed in New Jersey as a result of their spouse’s service obligations. Prior to that, in both college (Holy Cross) and law school (Seton Hall), she competed in numerous moot court tournaments herself.
Above: Attorney Katie Manzi McDonough
The Moot Court Tournament featured a fictitious legal problem and fact pattern involving free speech rights under the First Amendment. Competitors were required to argue both sides of the problem set and were scored on substantive knowledge, legal research, oral advocacy, and presentation.
“It was a pleasure to give back to aspiring attorneys who are willing to give up their free time to learn about appellate advocacy and the law,” said Attorney Katie M. McDonough. “The level of competition was excellent and we hope to be a part of this tournament again in the future.”
For the student-competitors, the opportunity to practice their skills before a sitting Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court added greatly to the experience. “The students argued their cases with great skill. Although these were undergraduates, their presentations were law school quality,” said Judge McDonough. “We were very impressed indeed.”
Hon. Edward J. McDonough Jr. (above) enjoyed providing feedback and encouragement to the student-competitors.
