As both a former federal prosecutor and a long-time senior in-house legal and compliance executive, Kevin J. Cloherty brings unique experience and insight, successfully guiding clients through litigations and arbitrations on a range of issues, including tax, securities, investment management, fraud, insurance and reinsurance. He is also considered a go-to trial lawyer.
Kevin J. Cloherty represents companies and individuals in connection with government investigations and examinations, regulatory enforcement matters, and complex litigation. He draws on more than three decades as a line prosecutor, supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney and senior in-house legal and compliance executive to provide practical, strategic guidance, with a focus on achieving efficient, effective outcomes for his clients.
Kevin brings extensive experience representing organizations and individuals in government investigations and examinations, tax disputes, criminal prosecutions, and complex civil litigation. He has managed matters at both the federal and state levels, guiding clients through every stage of the legal process—from pre-charge investigations through trial and appeal.
Kevin is known for his strategic approach, meticulous preparation, and ability to distill complicated legal issues into clear, practical advice.
Prior to joining Donnelly, Conroy & Gelhaar, LLP, Kevin spent over twenty years with a global financial services company serving in various senior roles including as the Global Chief Compliance Officer and as Deputy General Counsel with global oversight for the legal functions in the various insurance and asset management businesses in North America, Asia, and Europe.
Prior to his in-house career, Kevin was a partner at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP, focusing on internal investigations and white-collar criminal defense. Earlier in his career Kevin spent 11 years in the U.S. Department of Justice in various roles including as a line prosecutor, where he managed a broad caseload involving white-collar offenses, including tax fraud, corruption, insurance fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and other serous financial crimes. In that role, he developed significant courtroom experience and a deep understanding of how government agencies investigate and litigate cases—insight he now leverages to the benefit of his clients.
Kevin also served as the Chief of the Drug Unit in the Boston U.S. Attorney’s Office and was the lead Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) prosecutor for New England as well as the first Director of the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).
Kevin’s practice focuses on achieving efficient, effective outcomes while minimizing disruption and risk. He works closely with clients to develop tailored legal strategies, always with an emphasis on responsiveness, discretion, and results.
Oversaw the defense of three related purported class actions in Ontario, Quebec and the S.D. New York (SDNY), including defending 10b-5 fraud allegations in the SDNY.
Oversaw outside counsel and handled multiple witnesses in a 22-day, 50+ witness leveraged lease trial against the IRS in U.S. Tax Court.
Directly negotiated settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), on so-called “directed brokerage” practices.
Directly oversaw multiple exams conducted by the SEC, the Ontario Securities Commission and the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission.
Over ten years as the Chief Compliance Officer of a global financial services company with oversight of compliance obligations throughout Canada, Asia, Europe and the United States. This oversight included: internal investigations; AML/ATF; Privacy; Anti-Corruption; Anti-Fraud; the Ethics Hotline; and Regulatory Risk Management.
As Deputy General Counsel, Global Markets, for a global financial services company had responsibility for the legal functions in the operating segments, including legal personnel in Canada, in the U.S., throughout Asia, and in Australia, England and Ireland. Kevin also had global oversight of the Corporate Security and Global Investigative Services teams.
This oversight included all global litigation in the United States, Canada (including direct oversight of matters in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Saskatchewan), Asia and Europe.