2025 News UMass Law News: UMass Law student Catherine E. Hancock earns national employment law writing award

Second-place finish in New York State Bar Association competition recognizes scholarship on disability law

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's School of Law (UMass Law) student Catherine (Kate) E. Hancock, MBA '08, JD '27, has earned second place in a national employment law writing competition for a scholarly paper developed during a Summer Research and Writing Seminar.

Hancock's paper was selected for recognition in the Stein Memorial Writing Competition, sponsored by the Labor and Employment Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. The annual competition honors outstanding law student scholarship in labor and employment law and includes a $2,000 monetary prize.

"I am both thrilled and surprised to be recognized for this honor; I really couldn't be happier," said Hancock. "Having worked in the field of Human Resources for over 20 years, I have a strong interest in employment law topics. I enjoyed the opportunity to apply scholarly attention on one of the most frequent and challenging issues faced by HR professionals: interpretation of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act."

"Professor Owens' support, both during the writing of my paper and throughout law school, has been invaluable to me. I would never have thought of submitting my paper to a national competition without her suggestion and encouragement."

The paper, titled "A Tail of Two Accommodations: The Reasonableness of Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, in a Post-Pandemic World," examines issues arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and addresses complex questions of statutory interpretation and real-world application within employment law.

Hancock developed the award-winning paper during her Summer 2025 Research and Writing Seminar for Law Students course with Assistant Professor Lisa Owens. Following the conclusion of the seminar, Owens encouraged her to submit the paper to the national competition.

"Kate is an exceptional student and a leader in the classroom," said Owens. "She approached her topic with curiosity, energy, and sustained focus, and I always looked forward to reading her drafts and hearing about her progress each week. This national recognition comes as no surprise, and I am very proud of her work."

Hancock was later notified that her work earned second place among submissions from law students across the country, reflecting her ability to translate nuanced legal doctrine into clear, persuasive analysis.

"Professor Owens' support, both during the writing of my paper and throughout law school, has been invaluable to me," said Hancock. "She is a professor who takes a keen interest in her students and their success, and I feel lucky to be the beneficiary of both her kindness and her incredible legal expertise. I would never have thought of submitting my paper to a national competition without her suggestion and encouragement."

As part of the award, Hancock was invited to attend the New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting on Friday, Jan. 16, in New York City, where she presented her paper at the Labor & Employment Luncheon.

"Presenting my work in New York is something I'll remember for the rest of my life. I don't think I stopped smiling the entire day, and I was told that my enthusiasm for my topic was apparent and contagious," said Hancock. "I was also able to make some wonderful connections with the other winners and New York employment attorneys. The attorneys I met demonstrated real interest in my research and in reading my paper when it is published later this year. That is an immense compliment: that some of the best of the best would take a genuine interest in me and my work."

Hancock's paper will be published later this year in the New York Bar Association Labor and Employment Section Labor and Employment Journal.

"Kate's recognition highlights how our students are engaging meaningfully with real-world legal issues while still in law school," said UMass Law Dean Sam Panarella. "Her work showcases the thoughtful, practice-ready scholarship that is central to our mission at UMass Law."

UMass Law student Catherine E. Hancock earns national employment law writing award

close

Previous Next