May 3, 2016 -Springfield, MA- Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni has announced the promotion of Assistant District Attorney Katherine E. McMahon to the position of Chief Appeals for the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.

District Attorney Anthony Gulluni stated, “I proudly announce Kate’s promotion to Chief of Appeals. Kate has a long and accomplished history of public service and exemplary appellate work. I am exceedingly confident that Kate will lead our Appeals Unit with great skill and energy. The residents of Hampden County will be well served by Kate in her new role.”

Assistant District Attorney McMahon stated, “I am deeply honored that District Attorney Gulluni has entrusted me with this position. My team and I will continue to serve the office and the people of Hampden County with honesty, integrity, and a commitment to justice.”

McMahon, a native of Holyoke, is a graduate of Fairfield University (’77) where she earned a B.A. cum laude and Western New England University School of Law (‘82) earing a J.D. cum laude.  Attorney McMahon’s legal career spans thirty-three years in five district attorney’s offices, including serving as the chief of appeals units in the Suffolk and Middle (Worcester) District DA’s Offices. Other past positions include; former attorney for the Department of Social Services and an appeals attorney for the clerk’s office of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Additionally, Attorney McMahon is an editor of the Massachusetts Law Review, a position held since 1997.

Attorney McMahon joined the Hampden District Attorney’s Office in May, 2001, and will celebrate fifteen years in Hampden County on May 7, 2016. Her work as an ADA has been in appeals, which includes regular appearances before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Massachusetts Appeals Court, as well as post-conviction matters in superior court.

The Appellate Unit is responsible for: representing the Commonwealth when a defendant exercises their right to appeal his or her conviction. Handles interlocutory appeals, which are filed either by the Commonwealth or by the defendant during the course of a trial rather than after a conviction; Opposes defendants’ motions for a new trial and stays of execution of sentences pending appeal; Provides legal support to the trial prosecutors in murder prosecutions and other designated cases.