Kevin J. O'Connell

        Partner

        Kevin gives practical advice to businesses and is a trusted advisor to many of New England’s finest middle-market manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and technology companies. He maintains a sophisticated and diverse practice with a particular focus on transactional representation, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, the structuring of joint ventures and strategic relationships, and angel, venture, private equity, commercial lender, and other financings.

        Kevin counsels clients in the food and beverage, healthcare, technology, telecommunications, energy, engineering, transportation, manufacturing, and professional services sectors on a broad range of business issues, including ongoing general representation, licensing, contracts, and commercial matters. Kevin’s business clients especially value his candor and pragmatism.

        The principal focus of Kevin’s practice is mergers and acquisitions. He has negotiated and closed countless mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and similar transactions in his 35 years of practice. Kevin serves many of his clients as outside general counsel.

        Since 2017, Kevin has served as Partner in Charge of Verrill’s Boston office.

        Outside the office, Kevin is an active member of the community. He is a trustee of The Timothy O’Connell Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to pediatric cancer-related causes, which he and his wife Joanne founded in loving memory of their son Timothy. Kevin has also served as a member of the boards of directors of Make-a-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island and other charitable organizations. He is a member of the Finance Council St. Mary’s Parish (Holliston, Massachusetts).

        Services/Industries

        Education

        • Boston College Law School (J.D.)
        • College of the Holy Cross (B.A.)

        Public Service

        • Board of Directors, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island (2013-2019)
        • Board of Directors, Find the Cause, Inc. (formerly known as Art beCAUSE Breast Cancer Foundation) (2008-2018)
        • Board of Trustees, The Timothy O’Connell Foundation (2008-present)

        Bar Admissions

        • Massachusetts
        • New York

        Honors

        • AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
        • Selected by peers for inclusion in New England Super Lawyers under Business/Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions and Closely Held Business
        • Named Go To Business Transactions Lawyer by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        Learn more about the third-party ratings, rankings, and selection processes used for inclusion.

        Firm Highlights

        Blog

        Will the Knicks Beat the Spurs? (Are Prediction Market Event Contracts Gambling?)

        For those of you who like to keep score, currently 18 states are engaged in litigation over prediction markets, such as Kalshi and Polymarket,...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        DOJ Announces Faster Review and Enhanced Enforcement for Benefits-Fraud FCA Matters

        On May 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Division issued a new memorandum, “Accelerating Review and Enhancing Enforcement in...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        DOJ Announces Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown; Signals Intensified Medicaid Enforcement Nationwide

        On May 21, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced a first-of-its kind Minnesota Health Care Fraud Takedown charging 15 defendants, including...
        Media Mentions

        Lauren Galvin Quoted in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on Arbitration and Anti-SLAPP Protections

        Verrill Partner Lauren Galvin was recently featured in a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly article highlighting a notable Superior Court decision...
        Blog

        Section 530A Accounts: What Employers Should Consider Before Offering Contributions to “Trump” Accounts

        Section 530A accounts, commonly referred to as Trump accounts, have attracted attention since the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in...
        Blog

        Navigating PBM Reform: Regulatory Changes, Market Shifts, and Practical Guidance for ERISA Fiduciaries

        Pharmacy Benefit Manager (“PBM”) arrangements have long relied on rebates with limited transparency into true drug costs. Recent regulatory and...
        Blog

        DOL’s Proposed Regulation on Selecting Alternative Investments: Broad Implications for 401(k) and 403(b) Plan Fiduciaries

        On March 30, 2026, the Department of Labor issued a proposed regulation purporting to implement an executive order to expand access to “alternative...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Attorney Gracie Castle

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to welcome Gracie Castle to the firm’s Private Clients & Fiduciary Services Group as an Associate,...
        Published Works

        Francesco De Vito Authors Article in the Journal of the American College of Mortgage Attorneys

        Verrill Partner Frank De Vito authored an article featured in the Spring 2026 issue of The Abstract, the journal of the American College of Mortgage...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Recent FinCEN Advisory Highlights Rising Health Care Fraud Risk for Financial Institutions

        As the federal government intensifies its “whole of government” approach to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, particularly in Federal Health Care...
        Press Releases

        Two Verrill Attorneys Featured in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers List

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill attorneys Roger A. Clement, Jr. and Robert J. Keach have been featured in the 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global...
        Published Works

        Verrill Attorney Mark Googins Co-Authors Maine Commercial Lending Handbook

        Verrill attorney Mark Googins has co-authored the Maine Commercial Lending Handbook (Second Edition), published March 2026.  A trusted, practical...