Distinguished Alumni: Katie Mooney, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Distinguished Alumni of the Appalachian School of Law: 

Kathryn "Katie" Emily Mooney, 

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Kathryn "Katie" Emily Mooney began working as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in the Tazewell County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office immediately after graduating from law school. As an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Katie carries a large caseload of a variety of criminal matters. She serves as co-lead counsel over prosecutions in Tazewell County General District Court; Tazewell County Circuit Court, and the Tazewell County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court.

Katie also serves as a TRIAD representative for the Tazewell County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. As a TRIAD member she facilitates the cooperation between law enforcement agencies, hospitals, senior citizens, senior organizations and the community with the goal of reducing crimes against vulnerable senior citizens. 

Along with her co-workers, Katie acts as a legal advisor on criminal issues for many state and local law enforcement agencies.  Katie plans to continue to dedicate her career to public service with the prosecution of criminal cases.

She was born in Hollywood, Florida and grew up in the town of Vero Beach, Florida where her father was a law enforcement officer and her mother was a registered nurse.  These role models inspired her interest in public service.  

In 2009, she received a B.A. degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida with a major in criminal justice. While at Florida Atlantic, Katie served as President of Lambda Alpha Epsilon Criminal Justice Fraternity (American Criminal Justice Association). During this time, she assisted and shadowed attorneys in both her home town of Vero Beach and Fort Lauderdale. 

Katie graduated from the Appalachian School of Law in 2012. She recieved the Book Award for the highest grade earned in the Trial Advocacy and in the Certified Civil Mediation courses. She also earned a place on the 2012 Dean’s List.  

She is pictured here with her fiance, ASL grad Jason Gallagher, an associate with The Street Law Firm in Grundy, Virginia.  

During her time at ASL, Katie served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Buchanan County; as a third-year Student Bar Association Senator; and as both Sergeant at Arms and Vice President of the ASL International Law Society.  She also became a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity; the American Trial Lawyers Association; and the American Bar Association Law Student Division, for which she served as Chairperson of the Mental Health Initiative. 

During law school, she gained more legal experience by working as a legal intern for the State Attorney’s Office for the 17th Judicial Circuit in Broward County, Florida and later for Conrad & Scherer, LLP in Fort Lauderdale. The time Katie spent as a legal intern for the Broward County State Attorney’s office solidified her passion and dedication for public service and prosecution.