Brian T. Kelly

Brian T. Kelly


Nixon Peabody LLP

Recognized since 2020

Boston, Massachusetts

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: General Practice

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

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With 25+ years of experience in government investigations and white-collar defense, Brian Kelly is a nationally recognized former federal prosecutor and high-profile trial attorney. Brian has tried numerous federal cases including, most notably, U.S. v. James “Whitey” Bulger. His seasoned judgment and strategic counsel comes from decades of experience in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in both Boston and San Diego.

Brian defends corporations and executives in federal and state investigations of all sorts including health care fraud cases, False Claims Act (FCA) allegations, SEC inquiries, internal corporate investigations, insider trading charges, white-collar criminal defense, and NCAA compliance matters.

What do you focus on?

My current practice focuses on complex criminal and civil matters involving government investigations, insider trading, white-collar criminal defense, and regulatory compliance on behalf of public and private clients.

I work extensively in health care and life sciences representing pharmaceutical and medical device companies and executives with issues involving allegations of health care fraud and False Claims Act violations. I also represent individuals facing SEC and DOJ probes. I recently obtained summary judgment in federal court against the SEC in favor of a client accused of securities fraud. The court’s ruling unequivocally vindicated my client.

As a federal prosecutor, I handled some of the most sensitive and complex government trials and investigations including RICO, health care fraud and abuse, public corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, mail and wire fraud, labor racketeering, union corruption, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations. I also achieved successful results in running major investigations in well-known, high-profile cases involving official misconduct, embezzlement, obstruction of justice, perjury, extortion, and homicide.

My background gives me a unique perspective and allows me to protect my clients’ interests by proactively identifying risks and providing an objective assessment of the severity of possible violations, as well as the likely response from government investigators and prosecutors. I help my clients develop and implement strategies to mitigate their exposure and damages to their reputations and businesses.

Contact & Links
Location
  • Exchange Place
    53 State Street
    Boston, MA 02109-2835
Education
  • Dartmouth College, B.A., magna cum laude
  • University of Pennsylvania, J.D.
Bar Admissions
  • California, California Bar Association
  • Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Nixon Peabody LLP
Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts

177 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

101 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

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Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
  • Criminal Defense: General Practice
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Publications

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