Press Release: Bowditch & Dewey, Kenney & Sams Announce Merger

December 18, 2025

Top firms knit Boston, MetroWest and Worcester offices to strengthen client services

Worcester and Boston – December 18, 2025 – Bowditch & Dewey LLP and Kenney & Sams, PLLC, two leading Northeast law firms that clients rely on for strategic representation in complex business and legal matters, today announced they are merging to further strengthen their practice areas and provide a broad range of services to corporate, individual, and non-profit clients.

The two firms have decades of experience in the Boston, Worcester, and MetroWest markets. Bowditch, established in 1914, has deep expertise in the areas of business and finance, real estate and environmental, litigation, employment, family law, and estate and tax planning, delivering outstanding client satisfaction and quality legal services. Kenney & Sams is a 20-year-old boutique civil trial law and risk management firm principally serving the Northeast, with offices in Boston, MetroWest, and Providence, Rhode Island. Kenney & Sams handles all types of civil litigation, including construction, employment, business, and real estate matters, as well as insurance coverage, products liability, and personal injury matters.

“This merger with Kenney & Sams will solidify our presence in Central Massachusetts, MetroWest and Boston, and add a significant number of experienced trial attorneys to our firm as we continue our growth,” said John Shoro, managing partner of Bowditch. “This talent merger will add new expertise and depth to our firm as we continue to provide valued counsel to our clients.”

“Aligning our courtroom experience with Bowditch’s wide array of practice areas and extensive legal resources produces a combined law firm that is bigger, better, and stronger,” said Chris Kenney, co-founder and shareholder at Kenney & Sams. “Their well-earned reputation for high-quality legal representation for more than a century will enable us to branch out professionally and geographically, all for the benefit of our clients.”

“This is an exciting moment for our firm and our attorneys,” said Michael Sams, co-founder and fellow shareholder at Kenney & Sams. “The Bowditch brand as a law firm is so highly regarded in this region. The significant high-end practice area depth that Bowditch brings combines so well with our strengths in trial work, litigation, and risk management to make for a true full-service law firm for our clients.”

Both Kenney and Sams will become equity partners and Co-Practice Leaders at Bowditch & Dewey in its litigation department, which will be the combined firm’s name. The firm will maintain main offices in Boston, MetroWest, and Worcester, with other offices in Plymouth, MA and Providence, RI.

“This merger will further elevate our position as the premier law firm in Central Massachusetts and MetroWest, with a strong presence in Boston as well,” said Tina M. Bussone, Chief Operating Officer at Bowditch. “As we approach 2026, we will be able to attract and retain legal talent in this competitive market and offer new opportunities to our attorneys and staff.”

The merger is effective January 1, 2026. For more information, contact Jim McManus at jim@sloweymcmanus.com or 617-413-9232.

About Bowditch & Dewey LLP

Bowditch is a highly regarded law firm handling sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation, and complex regulatory issues for businesses, families, and institutions throughout Massachusetts, the region, and beyond. With more than 70 lawyers seamlessly connected in four strategic Massachusetts offices – Boston, Framingham, Plymouth, and Worcester – Bowditch is deep in the areas of business and finance, real estate and environmental, litigation, employment, family law, and estate and tax planning, delivering outstanding client satisfaction and quality legal services.

About Kenney & Sams, PLLC

Kenney & Sams, PLLC is a boutique litigation law firm representing businesses, individuals, and public authorities in disputes and risk management. Based in Boston, Kenney & Sams clients are located throughout New England and across the U.S. The firm distinguishes itself from other law firms by the trial experience, accomplishment, and leadership of its attorneys. Kenney & Sams’ reputation is based on delivering client desired results, not excuses, while maintaining respectful collaborative and professional relationships at all times.