Introduction
Bill Kelly represents investment fund managers, broker-dealers, and registered investment advisers, and counsels fund managers and institutional investors regarding regulatory compliance matters and the organization and structure of pooled investment vehicles. He also serves as general counsel and transactional special counsel for companies ranging from very early stage ventures to publicly traded corporations with international operations.
My focus
I began my career working with venture capitalists and venture-backed companies. That practice has evolved into the representation of a range of investment advisers, fund managers, and institutional investors. While my focus is now primarily on issues under the federal and state securities laws, I continue to devote a substantial part of my time to companies that are developing innovative technologies. Among my clients have been a number of genomics and drug discovery companies, an audio equipment manufacturer, enterprise software developers, alternative energy companies, and developers and manufacturers of medical devices.
I often work with clients that do not have in-house general counsel, so that I advise my clients’ senior management and boards of directors as well as coordinating a team of lawyers from Nixon Peabody serving all of their legal needs.
Through my service on a number of nonprofit boards (including the Institute of Contemporary Art, La Salle University, and the AIDS Action Committee) I have been able to apply my extensive experience in corporate governance to issues relating to the governance and oversight of charitable and nonprofit institutions.
Looking ahead
Increased regulation of the securities markets and more comprehensive disclosure requirements will place increasing burdens on issuers of securities and managers of collective investment vehicles. We are working on strategies to help clients manage their compliance and reporting obligations effectively.
In the news
- Bisnow
This week’s Boston deal sheet
May 8, 2023This article highlighting recent real estate deals in the Greater Boston region mentions NP for advising The United Company in the sale of Boston’s Church Park Apartments complex to Brookfield Asset Management. The NP team was led by Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Alex Rosso and included Boston Complex Disputes partner Steve LaRose, Los Angeles Corporate partner Shahzad Malik, Washington, DC Community Development Finance partner Elizabeth Young, Boston Corporate senior counsel Bill Kelly, Washington, DC Corporate associate Brian Kenney, and Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate associate Jason Kim.
- Boston Business Journal
One of Boston’s largest apartment buildings sells for $439 million
May 2, 2023This article mentions NP for advising United Companies in the sale of Boston’s Church Park Apartments complex to Brookfield Asset Management. The NP team was led by Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate partner Alex Rosso and included Boston Complex Disputes partner Steve LaRose, Los Angeles Corporate partner Shahzad Malik, Washington, DC Community Development Finance partner Elizabeth Young, Boston Corporate senior counsel Bill Kelly, Washington, DC Corporate associate Brian Kenney, and Boston Affordable Housing & Real Estate associate Jason Kim.
- Boston Globe
SJC decision on EMC lawsuit could have broad implications for Mass. Boards
Boston government investigations and white collar defense associate Eric Walz, commercial litigation partner George Skelly and M&A and corporate transactions senior counsel Bill Kelly provided insight about how legal decisions can have broader business implications for clients in this article about a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision involving former EMC corporation chief executive Joe Tucci and EMC’s shareholders.March 23, 2017 - Law360
Recent merger ruling is good for Massachusetts directors
Boston commercial litigation partner George Skelly, M&A and corporate transactions senior counsel William Kelly and government investigations and white collar defense associate Eric Walz contributed this article about the Massachusetts SJC’s guidance regarding fiduciary duties of directors of publicly traded Massachusetts corporations.March 17, 2017
Admitted to practice
Massachusetts
Maryland
U.S. Tax Court
Education
Harvard Law School, J.D.
Harvard University, A.M.
La Salle University, A.B., summa cum laude
University of the East, Manila, M.A.
Professional activities
- American and Boston bar associations
- Institute of Contemporary Art, trustee emeritus and honorary trustee
- Speakeasy Stage Company, overseer
- NVCA Model Document Working Group, former member
- National committee of leading venture capital attorneys which, under the auspices of the National Venture Capital Association, has developed a set of venture investment model documents
- La Salle University, former trustee
- AIDS Action Committee, former director
- Boston Lyric Opera, former overseer
- Theater Offensive, former director
Recognition
- Massachusetts “Super Lawyer” in Securities and Corporate Finance (2005–2019)
- 2012 Commitment to Action Award, in recognition of his work in the fight against AIDS
- Massachusetts Bar Association’s 2012 Excellence in the Law Award for pro bono legal work
- “Top Attorneys in Corporate and Securities Law” (2009)
- New England “Super Lawyer” in Securities and Corporate Finance (2008)
- AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating from Martindale Hubbell®, the highest possible rating for ethics and legal ability
Insights And Happenings
View AllProfessionals in the Practice Area
View AllChristopher P. Keefe
Partner / Chair, Business & Finance Department- Boston
- Office:+1 617.345.1350
- ckeefe@nixonpeabody.com
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Todd Tidgewell
Partner / Leader, Corporate Practice Group- Albany
- Office:+1 518.427.2705
- ttidgewell@nixonpeabody.com
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Lori B. Green
Partner / Co-Leader, M&A and Corporate Transactions Team / Co-Leader, Cannabis Practice- Rochester
- Office:+1 585.263.1236Mobile:+1 585.281.3076
- lgreen@nixonpeabody.com
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Robert A. Drobnak
Partner / Practice Group Co-leader, Global Finance- Chicago
- Office:+1 312.977.4348
- radrobnak@nixonpeabody.com
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