Kevin J. O'Connor
Partner
T: 212.508.6144
Mary Larson
860.256.8542
Kevin O'Connor, former Associate Attorney General of the United States, the third-ranking official at the U.S. Department of Justice, and United States Attorney for Connecticut, is a partner in the Connecticut and New York offices of Bracewell & Giuliani. Mr. O'Connor's practice focuses on the representation of companies and individuals in government investigations. Mr. O'Connor conducts internal investigations and advises clients on compliance and corporate governance matters. Mr. O'Connor also practices commercial litigation in state and federal courts.
As Associate Attorney General, Mr. O'Connor was responsible for overseeing the work of thirteen components in the Department of Justice, including the Tax Division, Antitrust Division, Environment and Natural Resources Division, Civil Rights Division, Civil Division, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Information and Privacy, Foreign Claims Settlement Commission and the United States Trustees. He has litigated numerous environmental cases, including civil and criminal enforcement proceedings at the state and federal level.
As the United States Attorney for Connecticut, the state's chief federal law enforcement officer, a position he held for more than five years, Mr. O'Connor's office garnered a reputation for the prosecution of environmental crimes, bringing many significant cases, including one that resulted in the largest criminal penalty in New England history. During his tenure, the United States Attorney's Office also prosecuted significant public corruption and corporate fraud matters. Mr. O'Connor personally prosecuted or litigated many of those cases, appearing in court on behalf of the government and negotiating deferred prosecution agreements.
During his recent government service, Mr. O'Connor also served as Chief of Staff to the United States Attorney General, Associate Deputy Attorney General of the United States and Chair of the Department's Intellectual Property Task Force. Mr. O'Connor's broad experience with the Department of Justice in both Washington, D.C. and the field included testifying before Congress on tax, intellectual property and other matters, participation in numerous national and international law enforcement forums as a panelist and speaker and litigating matters on behalf of the United States in both federal district and circuit courts.
Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Mr. O'Connor served as Senior Counsel with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement, as Corporation Counsel for the Town of West Hartford, Connecticut, and as a litigation partner and associate in private law firms in New York and Connecticut.
Mr. O'Connor served as a law clerk to Judge William H. Timbers of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit from 1992-93.
Legal and Community Service
Trustee, Federal Bar Council, 2008 - present
Trustee, University of Connecticut Law School Foundation, 2009-present
Board Member, Connecticut Science Center, 2009-present
Board Member, World Affairs Council of Connecticut, 2009-present
Corporator, Hospital of Central Connecticut, 2009-present
Corporator, St. Francis Hospital, Hartford, CT, 2008-present
Corporator, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, 2001-2008
Board Member and Advisor, University of Notre Dame Monogram Club, Notre Dame, IN, 2001-present
Chairperson, Connecticut State Commission on the Death Penalty, 2001-2002
Education
J.D., with high honors, University of Connecticut School of Law, 1992
B.A., with honors, University of Notre Dame, 1989
Bar Admissions
Connecticut
New York
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit
U.S. District Court Connecticut
U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
Noteworthy
Edmund J. Randolph Award, U.S. Department of Justice, 2009
Distinguished Graduate Award, University of Connecticut School of Law, 2008
Impact Award, Connecticut Law Tribune, 2002
Irish Legal 100
Editor, Connecticut Law Review