KEVIN G. POWERS 
Kevin Powers has practiced law since 1978, concentrating in the areas of labor and employment law. He has tried over 100 cases and has received some of the largest jury verdicts in the field, including the $5.5 million verdict in the Clifton v. MBTA case. He has argued numerous employment cases before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and Appeals Court, as well as the First Circuit Court of Appeals. In 2000, Mr. Powers was inducted into the prestigious College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and currently serves on the College’s Credentials Committee. Mr. Powers is an active member of the Massachusetts and American Bar Associations and currently chairs the Massachusetts Bar's Individual Rights & Responsibilities Council. He is a former president of the National Employment Lawyers Association Massachusetts chapter. He lectures throughout the United States and has co-authored numerous books and articles on employment law topics. Named one of the best lawyers in America, Kevin is listed every year as one of the State’s “Super Lawyers.” Kevin represented two individuals held prisoner in the infamous Guantanamo Bay Prison. Both prisoners have been released. Kevin is a lifelong resident of Boston and a graduate of Stonehill College and Suffolk Law School. He served as a legislative aid to Congressman William Delahunt when the Congressman served in the State Legislature. Kevin also served as the co-chair of “Attorneys for Kennedy” during Edward M. Kennedy's presidential campaign. While very involved in Boston community issues, Kevin has forsworn inside politics and takes pride in his willingness to challenge the politically and economically powerful on behalf of those who deserve aggressive representation. Despite his very heavy caseload, Kevin is an outdoor sports enthusiast and has competed in 43 (and counting) regional triathlons since 1986. He also enjoys mountain climbing, cross-country skiing, and ocean kayaking. |
A SAMPLE OF CASES TRIED BY KEVIN POWERS
Pellegrino v. NAGE
Disability discrimination and retaliation.
Norfolk Superior court.
Judgment for the Plaintiff in the amount of $820,000.00, including $500,000.000 in punitive damages.
Enos v. Mayor, City of Brockton
First Amendment case brought by Brockton police official.
Federal Court jury awarded $350,000.
Clifton v. the MBTA
Race discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Suffolk court jury awarded the plaintiff $5.5 million.
DeBiase v. the MBTA
Gender discrimination.
The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination awarded the plaintiff $33,000.00, with attorney’s fees to be decided.
Finley v. Digital Corp.
Age discrimination.
Middlesex jury awarded the plaintiff $504,000.00.
Dartt v. BFI
Handicap discrimination.
Suffolk County jury awarded the plaintiff $197,000.00.
DeMichelle v. Guardsmark
Handicap discrimination.
Federal jury awarded the plaintiff $245,000.00.
Sampaio v. Agar Supply
Age and race discrimination.
Suffolk County jury awarded the plaintiff $950,000.00.
Burroughs v. Hogg Robinson Insurance
Age discrimination case.
Middlesex County jury awarded the Plaintiff $109,000.00.
SELECT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
“Guantanamo and the Rule of Law”
Massachusetts Bar Association Conference, 2006
Faculty member of the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education's Trial Advocacy Workshop 1996, 1999, and 2000.
"Evidentiary Issues in Employment Cases"
Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys February, 2000
Massachusetts Bar Association Annual Conference, 2000
"Litigation of Racial and National Origin Discrimination Claims"
National Employment Lawyers Association Annual Convention, 2000, Washington, D.C.
"Representing Your Client in Labor Employment Mediation and Arbitration"
Boston Bar Foundation, 1999.
American Bar Association, National Institute Sexual Harassment
Faculty member and speaker, 1998, Washington, D.C.
"Litigating and Winning Race Discrimination Cases"
Sponsored by the National Employment Lawyers Association
March 20, 1998, Chicago, IL
"Trying Employment Cases in the Superior Court"
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 1998
"Defamation in the Workplace"
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, 1997
"Top 10 Mistakes Employment Lawyers Make"
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Seminar, 1996, Boston, MA.
"Practical Consideration in Sexual Harassment Cases"
Massachusetts Bar Association Seminar, 1995
National Employment Lawyers National Convention, 1995
CO-AUTHORED PUBLICATIONS
“Non-Compete Agreements: A Proposal for Fairness and Predictability,”
2 Employee Rights Quarterly 1 (2001)
"A Multi-Disciplinary View of the New Generation of Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures"
National Institute of Sexual Harassment
American Bar Association (1998)
"Defamation Claims in the Workplace"
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (1998)
"Wrongful Termination Law in Massachusetts"
Massachusetts Bar Association Publications (1992)
SELECT APPELLATE CASES
Cappucci v. Boston University
Massachusetts Court Of Appeals
The Court reversed the trial court’s summary judgment.
Dartt v. BFI
Handicap discrimination.
Massachusetts Supreme Court
Clifton v. MBTA
Race discrimination and retaliation.
Appeals Court and Supreme Judicial Court
Karin Clarke v. Kentucky Fried Chicken
Sexual harassment issues.
Federal Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit
Wright v. Shriners Hospital
Wrongful discharge.
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Chamberlin v. 101 Realty
Sexual harassment.
Federal Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
White v. Vathaly
Gender discrimination.
Federal Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
Dodi v. Putnam Investments
Race discrimination.
1996 Federal Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
University Hospital v. Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
Supreme Judicial Court 1984, regarding the scope of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination’s statutory authority.
Stathos v. The Peabody Municipal Light Company
Gender discrimination.
United States Court of Appeals, 1st Circuit 1982
FAVORITE WEB SITES
PROFESSIONAL
Massachusetts Employment Lawyers Association
www.massnela.com
Lawyers Weekly
www.masslaw.com
National Labor Relations Board
www.nlrb.gov
United States Court of Appeals
www.law.emory.edu/1circuit
American Arbitration Association
www.adr.org
My Stock Options
www.mystockoptions.com
NON-PROFESSIONAL
USA Triathlon Association
www.usatriathlon.org
Climbing Magazine
www.climbing.com
North Shore Paddlers Association
www.nspn.org
Amnesty International
www.amnesty.org