Newton, MA--BC Law third year students Debra Eichenbaum and Kate Connolly took away the championship at the National Religious Freedom Moot Court Competition last Saturday at George Washington University Law School.

Eichenbaum and Connolly competed against 23 teams from 18 law schools. This year’s problem dealt with the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act and its application to zoning decisions. In the final round, Eichenbaum and Connolly defeated the same team from George Washington University they had competed against earlier that Saturday in the quarterfinals.

Team advisor and Professor Gregory Kalscheur said Eichenbaum and Connolly approached intense questioning from the final round bench “with creativity and skill,” responding with “remarkable poise and podium presence” under immense pressure.

In addition to taking home the championship, Connolly was also awarded the prize for Best Oralist in the competition.

“Debra and Kate did a tremendous job,” Kalcheur said. “[They] were just terrific.”

The National Religious Freedom Moot Court Competition began at George Washington University Law School in order to recognize the important part that religion plays in our society. Each competition focuses on a particular problem that reflects present religious freedom issues that raise First Amendment concerns. For more information on the competition and past problems, you can visit the National Religious Freedom Moot Court Competition website at http://www.religionmootcourt.org/index.php.