Paul V. Kelly

White Collar and Investigative Experience

Paul is a trial attorney with substantial experience in both state and federal courts. He was an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts for 10 years, during which time he prosecuted a wide array of federal criminal violations, including racketeering, fraud, corruption, money laundering and murder. Upon leaving government service, he focused his practice on defending companies, executives and others being investigated or prosecuted for the alleged commission of criminal offenses. Paul has successfully defended cases, or convinced the government not to file charges, in the following areas: health care fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud, trade secret theft, immigration violations, bribery and other forms of corruption, mail and wire fraud, racketeering, cyber crime, and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He has obtained “not guilty” verdicts for clients in several jury trials, both state and federal.  

Paul also has significant experience conducting internal investigations for companies, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, government entities, and professional sports teams. By way of example:

• He conducted an extensive internal investigation on behalf of a private security company in connection with the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
• He served as a special prosecutor/legal advisor to the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago and conducted a series of criminal investigations of suspected bribery and other corrupt activities by former government officials and private parties within that country.
• He probed allegations of sexual abuse of minors by employees and volunteers of a well-known national organization that provides educational opportunities and activities for children.  
• He conducted an investigation on behalf of a MLB team of improper activity by a member of its scouting staff.
• He has conducted investigations for companies in several different industries involving alleged wrongdoing by company employees, subcontractors and outside vendors. These matters have involved acts of fraud, theft, embezzlement, bribery, receipt of kickbacks, theft of trade secrets, and falsification of records.

Civil Litigation Experience

Paul also has significant experience as a civil litigator. By way of example:

• He has successfully represented municipalities, law enforcement officers and state drug lab officials in civil rights actions.
• He has successfully argued appeals before the First Circuit Court of Appeals, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and the Massachusetts Appeals Court.
• He has represented attorneys, physicians, pharmacists and other professional in state licensing and disciplinary proceedings.
• He has successfully represented professional and collegiate athletes in civil, criminal and administrative proceedings.

Collegiate and Professional Sports Experience

In addition to his background as a trial attorney, Paul has management and legal experience within collegiate and professional sports. He served as executive director of the National Hockey League Players Association, representing the 740 players of the NHL. Upon leaving the NHL, Paul established and served as executive director of College Hockey, Inc., representing the 60 institutions that compete in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey. He also has substantial working knowledge of NCAA bylaws and regularly represents universities and coaches in NCAA investigations and infractions cases.

Paul currently serves on the Board of Directors of the NHL Alumni Association, and is a past director of the Hockey Hall of Fame. 

Honors and Recognitions

• The Best Lawyers in America©, "Criminal Defense: White Collar," "Employment Law - Management," "Litigation - Labor and Employment, and "Sports Law" (2006-present)
• Boston Magazine, “Top Lawyers” (2021)
• The Hockey News, 50 Most Influential People in the Sport of Hockey (2007-2011)
• Martindale-Hubbell®, "AV Preeminent® - Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence" (1995-present)
• Massachusetts Super Lawyers®, "Super Lawyer" (2004-2007, 2014-present)
• U.S. Department of Justice, Director's Award for Superior Performance (1992)

Professional Associations and Activities

• American Bar Association
• Boston Bar Association
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• National Association of College and University Attorneys
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Sports Lawyers Association