Atty. Brian T. Kelly
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.
Profile Summary
About Brian T. Kelly at a glance
Brian T. Kelly is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in Boston, Massachusetts, practicing at Nixon Peabody LLP. Admitted to practice in California, California Bar Association and Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bar Association. Educated at University of Pennsylvania (J.D., 1986) and Dartmouth College (B.A.). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026) and Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Serands clients in Boston, MA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- 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
Practice Areas Explained
Brian T. Kelly's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Brian T. Kelly handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
Brian T. Kelly is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Massachusetts →
Brian T. Kelly is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Massachusetts →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Massachusetts
Practicing law in Massachusetts. Legal matters in Massachusetts are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Boston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Massachusetts state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Massachusetts brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Massachusetts courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Massachusetts attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Boston or all attorneys in Massachusetts.
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