J. Michael Conley
Senior AttorneyJ. 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.
Associations & Memberships
