Christopher Kenney, Litigation Practice Area Co-Leader, is a nationally recognized litigator and trial advocate who has successfully tried cases and argued appeals before the state and federal courts in Massachusetts and several other states. He brings deep experience as an exceptional trial lawyer to all work with clients – advice, risk management, negotiation, mediation, arbitration and courtroom strategy. Chris also frequently serves as a mediator, arbitrator, and expert witness.
Chris advises and defends companies, organizations and individuals on contracts and agreements, corporate/shareholder disputes, construction and development, employment law, and product integrity and safety. He works with local and national clients, representing industries as diverse as real estate, construction, manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and food service. Chris also represents public officials and political candidates on election law and public policy matters.
Whether defending a multi-million dollar development project or negotiating the dissolution of a business partnership, Chris is known for his determination, passion, and preparation as he devises effective strategies to achieve clients’ objectives. While known as a formidable, tenacious adversary, Chris values and advances respectful working relationships with all parties to a dispute.
Over the years, Chris has fostered strong business connections and professional relationships through work with local, national and international bar associations and appointments to commissions and committees. The Massachusetts Attorney General appointed Chris to a six-year term as a Special Assistant Attorney General representing the Commonwealth in construction defect claims, constitutional law and eminent domain matters.
Chris has served on the adjunct faculty at Boston University School of Law, and frequently writes and lectures for business groups, trade associations and bar associations. He is frequently retained as a mediator by other attorneys to help them effectively resolve their disputes before trial.
Besides Bowditch
Chris’ favorite time is spent with his family at their cabin in central Maine.
Affiliations
- Treasurer & Director, Massachusetts Trial Lawyers Association
- Secretary, American Board of Trial Advocates – Massachusetts Chapter
- Boston Bar Association
- Proctor in Admiralty, Maritime Law Association
Previous
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- President (2018-2019)
- Chair, Litigation Section, House of Delegates (2005-2006)
- Commissioner, Governors Judicial Nominating Commission (2006-2007)
- American Bar Association
- TIPS Leadership Academy (2006-2009)
- Chair, Trial Techniques Committee (2008-2009)
- Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association
- President (2006-2007)
- Board of Directors (2002-2010)
- Federal Bar Association
- President, Massachusetts Chapter (2009-2010)
- Executive Committee (2003-2012)
- Founding Member & Co-President, Boston Inn of Court (2001-2002)
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Trial Academy Director (2018)
- Trial Academy Faculty
- Construction and Insurance Committees
- Defense Research Institute
- Massachusetts State Representative (2008-2010)
- Northeast Regional Director (2010-2013)
- National Membership Chair (2013-2014)
- State Advisory Council, New England Legal Foundation
- Past Chairman & Director, Associated Builders and Contractors
Honors
- “Massachusetts Lawyer of the Year,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2020)
- “Massachusetts Defense Lawyer of the Year,” Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association (2012)
- Boston Magazine
- Top Lawyers, Construction Law (2024)
- Top Lawyers List (2023)
- “Top 100 Lawyers in Massachusetts”
- Best Lawyers in America® “Lawyer of the Year” (2024)
- Best Lawyers in America® (2024-2025)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers list (2023-2024)
- Rated AV by Martindale Hubbell
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
- United State Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Education
- J.D., Paul J. Liacos Scholar, Boston University School of Law
- B.A., NCAA Scholarship, Holy Cross College
- Certified in Mediation/ADR
- Cormier v. Securitas Security Services, USA, Inc., 578 F.Supp.3d 263, 2022 DNH 002 (USDC NH) (2022)
- Bourgeois v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, 531 F.Supp.3d 407, 2021 WL 1209590 (2021)
- Brady v. State Ballot Law Commission, 485 Mass. 345, 149 N.E.2d 209 (2020)
- Pullman Arms, Inc. v. Healey, 364 F. Supp.3d. (D.Mass.2019)
- Ellicott v. American Capital Energy, Inc., 2016 WL 696089 (USDC MA) (Not Reported in F. Supp. 3d)
- Sirva Relocation v. Tynes, 2014 WL 3892202 (USDC MA) (Not Reported in F. Supp. 3d)
- Gill v. JetBlue Airways Corp., 836 F. Supp. 2d 33 (2011)
- Fordyce v. Town of Hanover, 457 Mass. 248, SJC-10643 (2010)
- Norfolk & Dedham Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Morrison, 456 Mass. 463, 924 N.E.2d 260, 2010 WL 1345156, Mass., April 08, 2010(SJC – 10513)
- Normandin v. Eastland Partners, Inc., 68 Mass.App.Ct. 377 (2007)
- Humphrey v. Byron, 447 Mass. 322 (2006)
- Or v. Edwards, 62 Mass.App.Ct. 475 (2004)
- Polonsky v. Massachusetts Port Authority, 60 Mass.App.Ct. 922 (2004)
- Nelson v. Massachusetts Port Authority, 55 Mass.App.Ct. 433 (2002)
- Calhoun v. Bechtel/Parsons/Brinckerhoff, Not Reported in N.E.2d, 2002 Mass.App.Div. 79, 2002 WL 948282, Mass.App.Div., May 06, 2002(No. 9760.)
- Massachusetts Port Authority v. Johnson Controls, Inc., 54 Mass.App.Ct. 541 (2002)
- League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Secretary of Com., 425 Mass. 424 (1997)
- Dean ex rel. Estate of Dean v. Raytheon Corp., 399 F.Supp.2d 27 (2005)
- RLI Ins. Co. v. Wood Recycling, Inc., Not Reported in F.Supp.2d, 2004 WL 1895132, , D.Mass., August 16, 2004(No. Civ.A.03-10196-RWZ.)
- Irish Venture, Inc. v. Fleetguard, Inc., 270 F.Supp.2d 84 (2003)
- In re Computer Engineering Associates, Inc., 278 B.R. 665, 2002 WL 974664, , D.Mass., March 15, 2002(Bankruptcy No. 95-17971-JNF. Adversary No. 97-1599. Civ. Nos. 01-10131-REK, 01-10143-REK.)
- D’Amico v. Compass Group USA, Inc., 198 F.Supp.2d 18 (2002)
- Iverson v. Comsage, Inc., 132 F.Supp.2d 52 (2001)