Kevin P. O'Flaherty
Of Counsel
Boston
koflaherty@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 6413Kevin P. O'Flaherty
Of Counsel, Boston
koflaherty@goulstonstorrs.com+1 617 574 6413Related Expertise
From real estate developers and public agencies to commercial corporations, cultural institutions, and individuals, clients rely on Kevin O’Flaherty to resolve difficult business and real estate related disputes.
Kevin is first and foremost a trial lawyer who understands and can successfully lead clients through the complex and difficult litigation process. Kevin has routinely achieved successful pre-trial resolutions of disputes, but, when necessary, can take matters to trial and has tried more than 30 cases to judgment. He has represented clients in complex land use and real estate disputes involving projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.He also has successfully litigated a variety of high stakes commercial disputes.Finally, Kevin also has appeared often before state and federal appeals courts in Massachusetts and other jurisdictions to defend the judgments he has won in the trial courts.
Chambers USA recognizes Kevin as “very good to work with in litigation. He can be tough but can also use humor and humility to his advantage in court interactions."
Supporting Community Pro Bono Needs
In addition to his robust trial practice, Kevin provides pro bono support to Caritas Communities, Inc., Massachusetts' largest provider of low-income, single room occupancy permanent housing. Kevin has served on Caritas’s Board of Directors for over 15 years—including a stint as the chair of the Caritas Board. Currently he is the Board’s clerk. Through Kevin’s connection to Caritas, several other G&S lawyers have provided legal services pro bono to Caritas.
Related Representative Matters
Obtained a summary judgment in favor of a joint venture between a private real estate company and a group of investors in defense of permits to develop a large mixed-use property in Cambridge, MA.
Defeated an appeal of zoning approvals granted to our client for a $700 million office building, hotel, and retail development in air rights above the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Obtained a judgment upholding municipal approvals for an affordable housing development in Boston.
Defeated opponents’ attempt to block a University’s proposed Campus expansion project. Prevailed at trial court and before the Massachusetts Appeals Court in Nahant Preservation Trust, Inc., et al. v. Northeastern University, 104 Mass.App.Ct. 698 (2024).
Obtained summary judgment upholding a comprehensive permit issued to developer of affordable housing project and successfully defended that judgment on appeal before the Supreme Judicial Court in Standerwick, et al. v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Andover, et al., 447 Mass. 20 (2006), identified by Massachusetts Lawyers' Weekly as one of the ten most significant decisions made by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2006.
A developer of affordable housing project in obtaining summary judgment upholding a comprehensive permit issued and defending that judgment on appeal before the Supreme Judicial Court in Standerwick, et al. v. Zoning Board of Appeals of Andover, et al., 447 Mass. 20 (2006), identified by Massachusetts Lawyers' Weekly as one of the ten most significant decisions made by the Supreme Judicial Court in 2006.
Real estate owners and developers in an array of real estate related cases, including commercial landlord/tenant cases, residential subdivision appeals, wetland appeals, MEPA Appeals, Chapter 91 Appeals, Conservation Commission appeals, adverse possession cases, matters involving easements and servitudes, and disputes related to real estate purchase and sale agreements.
A developer of multifamily housing in Brookline, Massachusetts in litigation where the town and certain abutters sought an injunction to stop the large project. Successfully defeated the injunction and subsequently obtained dismissal of the case, allowing the development to proceed without delay.
A national developer of multifamily housing who was denied a permit for a 250-unit residential development. project. Following a four-day administrative trial before the State Housing Appeals Committee, secured a decision overturning the denial and ordered the municipality to grant the permit.
The Boston Redevelopment Authority in several eminent domain matters related to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, obtaining jury verdicts favorable to the authority.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in eminent domain matters related to the MBTA’s takings for a new commuter rail line.
Caritas Communities and its joint venture partner South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation in the development of a 47-unit affordable housing development in South Boston, which will provide much needed housing for seniors.
A developer undertaking mixed-use redevelopment of the 20-story former Edward Sullivan Courthouse in East Cambridge. Secured summary judgment in favor of the client and successfully defended the judgment on appeal, clearing the way for the redevelopment to proceed.
Related InsightsSee all
Accolades
- Best Lawyers in America® (2023-2026): Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Real Estate
- “America’s Leading Business Lawyers," Chambers USA
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, 2006-2026
- Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent™
- Martindale Hubbell™ Top Rated Lawyer in "Land Use And Zoning," 2013
Affiliations
- Board of Directors, Caritas Communities, Inc. (current)
Admissions
- Massachusetts
- United States Federal District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Education
Harvard Law School ( J.D. , cum laude , 1992 )
Saint Louis University ( A.B. , summa cum laude , 1976 )