On March 6-7, 2026, Catholic Law proudly hosted the Ninth Annual Ellen A. (Nell) Hennessy Moot Court Competition in partnership with the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel (ACEBC). Sixteen teams from law schools across the nation competed in this event, which challenged participants to navigate a complex case involving healthcare plan governance under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The University of Virginia School of Law claimed first place, with Alex Kang and Emily Kopp leading the charge. UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law secured second place, followed by DePaul University College of Law in third and the University of Connecticut School of Law in fourth.

From L to R: J. Mark Iwry, Phyllis C. Borzi, and W. Thomas Reeder Jr.

The competition also celebrated individual achievements. Baylor University School of Law earned Best Brief, thanks to William Tucker and Thomas Martin, while Alfie Arun from the University of Virginia School of Law was named Best Oralist. The final round was judged by an esteemed panel: J. Mark Iwry, former Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury; W. Thomas “Tom” Reeder, Jr., former Director for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; and Phyllis C. Borzi ’78, former Assistant Secretary of the Employee Benefits Security Administration. Borzi, a Catholic Law alumna, was a classmate, longtime friend, and colleague of Nell Hennessy, adding a personal connection to the event.

Professor Regina Jefferson, the faculty representative from Catholic Law, oversaw the competition, while Trenton Shook, a third-year law student and Vice Chancellor of the Ellen A. (Nell) Hennessy Employee Benefits Moot Court Competition, played a pivotal role in organizing the event. The competition was generously sponsored by Platinum sponsors DLA Piper and P&E Benefits Law (Palmieri & Eisenberg) and Gold sponsor CALFEE.

The case at the heart of the competition involved the tragic death of Marianne Dashwood, a participant in a healthcare plan governed by ERISA. After being prescribed vancomycin to treat a life-threatening MRSA infection, her medication was switched to Bactrim by ABC Pharmacy, a subsidiary of Willoughby RX, without consulting her doctor. This switch, allegedly driven by cost-saving measures, ignored Marianne’s documented allergy to sulfa drugs, resulting in a fatal allergic reaction.

The case raised critical legal questions about fiduciary duties, state pharmaceutical laws, and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare administrators, providing participants with a rigorous and thought-provoking challenge. The Amended Complaint and District Court Opinion were written by ACEBC member Elizabeth Hopkins, while Jeff Lewis, also of ACEBC, authored the Bench Brief.

ACEBC Co-Chairs Jonathan Rose and Erin Riley played a key role in organizing the competition, ensuring its success alongside Catholic Law. At the close of the ceremony, Trenton Shook expressed his gratitude, saying, “This competition would not have been possible without the incredible support of so many people. I want to especially thank Professor Regina Jefferson, Audrey Ganley, and Renee Stack, as well as Jonathan Rose and Erin Riley from ACEBC, for their dedication and hard work.”

The event honored the legacy of Ellen A. (Nell) Hennessy, a trailblazer in employee benefits law, while providing a platform for future legal professionals to showcase their skills and engage with pressing issues in the field.

As the competition approaches its 10th anniversary next year, Catholic Law and ACEBC are excited to continue growing this event. They look forward to inspiring even more students and expanding the competition’s impact in the years to come.

 

Ninth Annual Ellen A. (Nell) Hennessy Moot Court Competition Winners