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

        Alerts and Newsletters

        Can AI Pass the Doctor Test? FDA Considers Physician-Inspired Evaluation of GenAI Devices and Other Regulatory Measures

        AI is entering healthcare with indomitable will. It promises to increase efficiency, reduce administrative burden (which healthcare providers so...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Attorney Annabel Rodriguez Named Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill attorney Annabel Rodriguez has been recognized as a Top Women of Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, and will be...
        Blog

        What Employee Benefits Lawyers Do (and How to Make the Best Use of Us)

        What do employee benefits lawyers do all day and how can clients make the best use of them? This post offers an overview of the kinds of things...
        Media Mentions

        Bloomberg Law Quotes Robert Keach on Expanded Access to Small Business Reorganization

        Verrill attorney Bob Keach was recently featured in Bloomberg Law, discussing legislation that would raise debt limits for bankruptcy relief and...
        Blog

        Phil Bartlett to Step Down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission

        On September 15, 2026, Governor Janet Mills announced that Phil Bartlett will step down as Chair of the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC)...
        Published Works

        Jay McCormack and Michael Fee Co-Author AHLA Article on Skin Substitute Enforcement Trends

        Verrill Partners Jay McCormack and Michael Fee co-authored an article for the American Health Law Association's Fraud and Abuse Practice Group...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Health Care & Life Sciences Attorney Elpida Velmahos

        BOSTON, Massachusetts – Verrill is pleased to announce that Elpida Velmahos has joined the firm’s Health Care & Life Sciences Group as an...
        Press Releases

        Verrill Welcomes Litigation & Trial Attorney Emma Pooler

        PORTLAND, Maine – Verrill is pleased to announce that Emma Pooler has joined the firm’s Litigation & Trial Group as an Associate, resident in...
        Published Works

        Four Verrill Attorneys Co-Author Massachusetts Trends and Developments Chapter for Chambers and Partners Child Relocation 2026 Guide

        Verrill attorneys Mary H. Schmidt, Rachel A. Deering, Hannah R. Zukoff, and Mariah G. Tappan co-authored the “Trends and Developments” chapter...
        Blog

        A New Protected Class in Maine: Holders of Final Protection Orders

        In the lead-up to Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, employers may be taking a closer look at how their policies and practices respond to...
        Alerts and Newsletters

        Verrill Secures SJC Victory for Boston Legacy FC in White Stadium Litigation

        Verrill has secured a significant appellate victory for Boston Legacy FC in the litigation challenging the redevelopment of White Stadium in...
        Blog

        Hurry Up and Wait

        This is the third in a series of Verrill blog posts on Maine’s packaging extended producer responsibility (“EPR”) law[1]. In July we reported...