Conroy

Kevin C. Conroy

Partner
Boston
Kevin Conroy is a partner in Foley Hoag’s Administrative Law Department, with a primary focus on state regulatory matters and government investigations. He co-chairs the firm’s Cannabis and State Attorneys General groups.

Kevin has considerable experience developing proactive strategies to guide clients through every aspect of a state’s regulatory process, including attorney general investigations, cannabis and gaming licensing and administrative hearings. He has advised many large companies in matters before state Attorneys General Offices, cannabis regulatory bodies and public utility commissions.

Kevin knows firsthand how government investigations work, and has helped companies find workable solutions within highly scrutinized industries. His work with DraftKings led to first-in-the-nation regulations around fantasy sports, ultimately avoiding an outright ban in Massachusetts and providing a roadmap forward for many other states. Kevin represents a variety of cannabis investors and operators regarding state licensing matters including approvals to open and changes in ownership.

Kevin previously served as the Massachusetts Deputy Attorney General assisting in the overall management of the Attorneys General Office and supervising nearly all civil matters in the office including employment, labor, non-profit, consumer enforcement, insurance, financial services, civil rights, health care and energy. Before this appointment, he served as the Chief of the Attorneys General Business and Labor Bureau, overseeing divisions including Business, Technology and Economic Development, Energy, Fair Labor, Medicaid Fraud and Non-Profit/Public Charities.

Kevin began his legal career at Foley Hoag before joining the New England Council as General Counsel in 2005. He returned to the firm in 2012.

Education

  • Boston College Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1999
  • Tufts University, B.A., 1994

Bar and Court Admissions

BAR ADMISSIONS
  • Massachusetts
COURT ADMISSIONS
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Experience

CANNABIS
  • Obtained regulatory approval for New England Treatment Access, LLC’s sale to Surterra Wellness. The cash and stock transaction is one of the largest acquisitions to date in the U.S. cannabis industry.
  • Provided regulatory advice to Columbia Care Inc. in its pending acquisition of The Green Solution, the largest vertically integrated cannabis operator in Colorado.
  • Successfully resolved complex investigation by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) of a large multi-state operator regarding question whether operator had changed ownership without seeking CCC approval.
  • Successfully resolved investigation by the CCC and the Massachusetts Division of Agricultural Resources regarding questions whether large cultivator had inappropriately used pesticides for cultivation.
  • Drafted application in New Jersey competitive RFP for Vertically Integrated ATCs with client NETA NJ that scored highest out of applications from more than 146 applicants.
  • Assisted clients in drafting some of the first adult use applications to the CCC, and continue to successfully obtain state marijuana establishment licenses.
  • Advised California law firm on its potential establishment of a cannabis practice.
  • Represented a variety of ancillary businesses regarding providing services or partnering with cannabis companies.
  • Successfully challenged Massachusetts Governor and Department of Public Health’s ban of medical marijuana vaping products in Suffolk Superior Court.
STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL
  • Successfully resolved State Attorney General investigation of a national telecommunications company regarding allegations of consumer protection violations.
  • Successfully persuaded State Attorney General to terminate her investigation of technology disruptor in transit space that was accused of violating state’s insurance laws.
  • Obtained a favorable settlement with State Attorney General after two years of investigation of a for-profit collage in connection with questions regarding whether college made appropriate disclosures to students.
  • Represented DraftKings regarding Massachusetts Attorneys General Office’s first-in-the-nation regulations around fantasy sports, ultimately avoiding an outright ban in Massachusetts and providing a roadmap forward for many other states.
  • Represented hospital system in State Attorney General investigation that ultimately led Attorneys General Office to issue favorable report about hospital system’s activities.
ENERGY
  • Successfully represented large national energy company in proceeding before the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities concerning utility incentives to support electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
  • Successfully represented a group of large electricity generators that intervened in a public utility proceeding concerning natural gas pipelines.
  • Obtained Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities approval of long-term contracts for large scale offshore wind farm client.
  • Successfully persuaded group of state attorneys general to oppose proposed state generator tax that would have raised energy prices for consumers.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Former Massachusetts Deputy Attorney General
  • Former Chief of Staff and General Counsel of the New England Council

Honors & Involvement

HONORS
  • Chambers USA, Leading Lawyer for Cannabis Law: Eastern United States (2021-2023)
  • The Best Lawyers in America (2023-2024)
  • Boston College Law Review
INVOLVEMENT
  • New England Council, Board Member
  • Regis College, Board of Trustees
  • Boston Bar Association, Cannabis Steering Committee
  • Newton Lacrosse, Board of Directors
  • Newton Metrowest Basketball, Coach
  • Newton Community Access Corporation, Former President, 2012-2014

Speaking Engagements

  • Panelist, “State Policy & Regulations,” CannabizMD Cannabis Science & Policy Forum: Patient Care, Policy & Emerging Trends (2023)
  • Moderator, “Policy and Regulatory Leadership Perspectives on the Best Path to Energy and Environmental Transformation,” NECBC Energy Conference (2020)
  • Speaker, "State Attorneys General and COVID-19,  What Businesses Need to Know," Webinar (2020) 
  • Moderator, New England Canada Business Council Energy Conference (2019)
  • Presenter, MJ Biz Next Conference, New Orleans (2019)
  • Moderator, Comply, New York (2019)
  • Moderator, BBA Cannabis Law Conference (2018)
  • Moderator, New England Canada Business Council Energy Conference (2017)
  • "New Massachusetts Cannabis Law – What it Means," Foley Hoag Webinar (2017)
  • "Massachusetts Medical and Adult Use Cannabis Laws and Regulation," Foley Hoag Webinar (2017)