Braintree, MA

J. Michael Conley

J. Michael Conley, one of the founders of Kenney & Conley, P.C., has dedicated his professional career to advancing the rights of Massachusetts injury victims and their families. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Martindale-Hubbell recognizes Michael Conley as an AV® rated attorney, the highest such rating available to any individual lawyer for legal ability and integrity. Michael Conley grew up and attended school in Cambridge and Newton, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he played baseball for four years. Thereafter, Michael graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School, where he served as a writer and Literary Editor of the Law Review. In 1982 he joined the firm of Murphy, Lamere & Murphy in Braintree, Massachusetts, where he practiced in the areas of municipal labor law, employment law, and civil litigation. In 1985, Michael helped found Kenney, Conley, Sullivan & Smith, P.C. to pursue his interest in civil litigation and trial work on behalf of individuals rather than corporations and government institutions. At Kenney & Conley, P.C., Michael Conley concentrates his practice on representing injured victims of negligence and other misconduct. He is a frequent writer and lecturer for a number of organizations, including the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (for which he serves on the Civil Litigation Curriculum Advisory Committee), and the Massachusetts Bar Association. He has volunteered his time in educational programs to teach or update other lawyers on topics such as automobile liability insurance, uninsured and underinsured motorists’ coverage, premises liability, police and firefighter injuries, trial practice, and settlement of personal injury cases. Michael has served as an arbitrator in personal injury cases and insurance coverage cases, and frequently volunteers to judge students in trial practice and moot court competitions. In addition to teaching, Michael attends annual seminars to remain current on the law, and the most advanced trial techniques and approaches. Michael is the Past President of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, having led the Academy in 2013-2014. Before assuming the Presidency, he chaired the Academy’s volunteer Amicus Curiae Committee which prepares and files with the Supreme Judicial Court and the Appeals Court “friend of the court” briefs supporting victims’ rights. In an effort to advance victims’ rights, Michael has written or co-authored more than twenty amicus briefs. He also served as Editor of the MATA Journal. Michael is one of many MATA trial lawyers who demonstrate commitment to community safety by participating with EndDD.org (End Distracted Driving) in bringing Distracted Driving presentations to Massachusetts high school students and others. In addition to MATA, Michael is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association for which he is a member of MBA’s Appellate Bench Bar Committee and is a member of MBA’s Civil Litigation Section. Michael is also a member of the American Association for Justice, and is a member of AAJ’s Products Liability Section, Insurance Law Section, Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability Section, as well as the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (“RSD”) - Litigation Group. Michael has also been active at home in Easton, Massachusetts. He has been a volunteer coach in youth recreational and travel baseball and recreational and travel basketball. He has provided pro bono legal services to various local non-profit organizations. He is a past President of Easton Babe Ruth League and a past Chair of The Foundation for Excellence in Education in Easton (F.E.E.E.), a non-profit organization that raises funds for the benefit of the students in the Easton Public Schools.

Paul F. Kenney

Paul Kenney was raised in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Catholic Memorial High School and the University of Massachusetts. He received his law degree from Boston University Law School, where he developed an affinity for trial work. Paul began to develop his trial skills as a legal intern in the office of the Norfolk District Attorney. After graduating from law school, he accepted a position as an attorney with the Massachusetts Defenders Committee. In 1978, Paul Kenney was invited to join the firm of Murphy, Lamere & Murphy, where he concentrated in trial work. There he developed additional specialties in civil litigation, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and other complex personal injury litigation. In 1985, Paul successfully negotiated one of the first million-dollar settlements in Massachusetts for a failure to diagnose cancer. Thereafter, Paul became a founding partner of Kenney, Conley, Sullivan & Smith, P.C., a general practice law firm, where he continued his litigation practice, specializing in the areas of wrongful death, construction site accidents, personal injury, and medical malpractice. As a partner of Kenney & Conley, P.C., Paul now concentrates on the litigation of catastrophic injury cases in the state and federal courts. He has lectured and written on a variety of subjects related to trial practice, and recently at the request of the Massachusetts Bar Association, chaired a seminar on wrongful death cases, for which he prepared an article entitled Maximizing Wrongful Death Damages From Interview To Verdict. Apart from the practice of law, Paul Kenney has served as the Chairman of the Board of Caritas Communities Inc., a non-profit corporation that provides safe and affordable housing for working men and women throughout greater Boston. Paul is a member of the Bar Association of Norfolk County, Massachusetts Bar Association, and the American Association for Justice.

Cathryn L. Crowley

Cathryn Crowley received a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Emmanuel College in Boston, MA. She thereafter went on to receive her law degree from Suffolk University Law School in 2002. She has been a member of the Massachusetts Bar since 2002 and the United States District Court since 2003. She began her career as an associate at The Rezendes Law Group in 2002 and has focused her career as a trial lawyer representing personal injury victims of workplace accidents, premises liability, nursing home abuse and neglect, and motor vehicle accidents. She is an experienced litigator and has tried numerous jury trials on behalf of injured parties. She is experienced in alternative dispute resolutions including arbitration and mediation. She is an active member of Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, serving on the Board of Governors, and the American Association for Justice.

Patricia J. Rezendes

Patricia Rezendes began her career with The Rezendes Law Group as an associate in 2009. For seven years, she had the luxury and privilege of working alongside her father, Michael R. Rezendes, the founding partner of The Rezendes Law Group. Patricia received an immense amount of training and invaluable experience from her father’s thirty-five years as an exceptional trial attorney. Since the passing of Michael Rezendes in 2016, the firm was re-structured under the name of Rezendes Law Group, LLC. Together with her partners, Patricia Rezendes is fully immersed in the firm’s continued mission of helping injured workers and their families as well as victims of negligence. Patricia’s practice is dedicated to Personal Injury Litigation, including automobile accidents, construction and workplace accidents, nursing home abuse and neglect injuries, premises liability, and products liability. Patricia is experienced in alternative dispute resolutions including arbitration and mediation. She has successfully tried multiple cases to verdict. She has developed a strong reputation for her negotiation of settlements, and aggressive advocacy in litigating personal injury cases. Patricia is admitted to practice in the State courts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as the Federal District Court of Massachusetts. She received her law degree from Suffolk University Law School in 2009. She received a B.S. in Mathematical Business from Wake Forest University in 2005. She is an active member of the Norfolk County Bar Association and Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, serving on MATA’s Board of Governors.

Brendan G. Carney

Brendan Carney is a Massachusetts attorney who focuses his practice exclusively on representing injured workers in workers’ compensation claims. Over the course of his career, he has built a strong reputation for providing diligent, effective, and compassionate legal representation to individuals injured on the job. With extensive experience before the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents, Brendan handles all aspects of workers’ compensation cases-from initial claim filing to conferences, hearings, and appeals. His practice emphasizes client-centered service, thorough case preparation, and strategic advocacy designed to secure full and fair benefits under Massachusetts law. Brendan is a past President of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA) and continues to be active in the organization’s efforts to advance justice and protect the rights of injured individuals. He is also a proud member of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) Workers’ Compensation Attorney Panel, representing former professional football players who have suffered career-ending injuries. His professional excellence has been consistently recognized by his peers: Brendan has been named a Boston Magazine “Rising Star” and “Super Lawyer” every year since 2012-an honor that reflects his dedication, legal skill, and strong results on behalf of his clients. He earned his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School and holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. Brendan is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is an active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and the Massachusetts Bar Association, including the Workers’ Compensation Section. Outside of the office, Brendan enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters, skiing in the winter, and boating in Buzzards Bay during the summer months.

John T. Ford

John Ford first came to Kenney & Conley, P.C. as a law clerk during the summer following his first year of law school. He returned to the firm the following summer and remained there throughout law school before eventually joining the firm as an attorney in 2019. John is a summa cum laude graduate of the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he earned his degree in criminal justice and homeland security, before going on to graduate cum laude from Suffolk University Law School. Throughout his third year of study, John served as a student attorney with the Accelerator Practice at Suffolk Law, representing low and middle-income individuals in landlord-tenant, housing, and consumer protection matters. John views his practice as a means through which he can contribute to making our society a safer and more just place, seeking accountability when carelessness results in needless injury, pain, loss of life, and suffering. His practice covers all aspects of his cases, from initial claims practices through litigation in state and federal courts. His work experience encompasses a variety of personal injury practice areas, including construction site and worksite injuries, motor vehicle collisions, trucking accidents, premises liability claims, insurance coverage issues, and unsafe product litigation. He is also particularly passionate about consumer protection cases, especially the prosecution of claims of unfair and deceptive business and insurance practices. Lastly, he is specially drawn to insurance coverage disputes, and has co-authored briefs to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st circuit, as well as an amicus brief to the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, successfully arguing on behalf of an insured individual to establish insurance coverage for injuries in an underlying lawsuit. John is a proud member of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys and is licensed to practice in all State and Federal courts within the Commonwealth, as well as the State Courts of New Hampshire.

Kristen Barnes

Kristen Barnes is a senior trial attorney lawyer. Her practice focuses on complex personal injury matters including construction accidents, products products and premises cases. She attended Saint Anselm College, where she graduated, magna cum laude, in 1994. Kristen went on to Suffolk University Law School and earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, in 1997. While attending law school, she worked as a law clerk for Kenney, Conley, Sullivan & Smith, P.C., and gained courtroom and trial experience as a certified Student Attorney Prosecutor for Plymouth County District Attorneys’ Office. Kristen joined Kenney, Conley, Sullivan & Smith, P.C. in 1997 and concentrated her practice in the areas of special education and civil litigation. She continues her practice with Kenney & Conley, P.C., specializing in the area of civil litigation, representing injured plaintiffs in the trial and appellate courts. Kristen Barnes is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, and the American Bar Association. She has written and lectured with respect to the intricacies of Massachusetts automobile insurance law in programs sponsored by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and the Massachusetts Bar Association.