Dara Z. Kesselheim

Dara Kesselheim is a member of the firm’s Government Enforcement & Compliance and Major Commercial Litigation practice groups.  Her practice focuses on representation of individuals and corporations in both government and internal investigations.  She is also experienced in complex civil litigation.  Her management and organizational skills make her a valued team member in large, complex investigations.  Ms. Kesselheim also has prosecutorial experience.  She recently served as a Special Assistant District Attorney in Boston,  where she gained considerable criminal trial experience.  While in law school, she worked as an intern in the Major Crimes Unit of the United States Attorney’s Office in Boston. 

Ms. Kesselheim is committed to public interest work.  In 2007, the Boston Bar Association selected Ms. Kesselheim as a fellow in its Public Interest Leadership Program. 

Ms. Kesselheim is listed as a Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Star.

Practice Focus

Government Enforcement & Compliance:  represent individuals and corporations in government investigations and internal investigations involving health care fraud, securities fraud and government contracting.

Major Commercial Litigation:  experienced in all aspects of complex commercial civil litigation from initiation of  lawsuit through trial preparation.

Representative Engagements

• Defense of numerous individuals in connection with federal criminal investigations.
• Member of team representing major pharmaceutical company in large, multi-year federal investigation into sales and marketing practices.
• Defense of individuals in SEC investigations.
• Managed internal investigation of federal defense contractor.
• Assisted in defense of pharmaceutical company in contractual dispute involving drug delivery technology.

• Assisted in successful representation of utility company in litigation involving $50 million in fuel adjustment payments under electricity contract.

Publications and Presentations

“The Associate’s Role in Trial Preparation,” co-presenter, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Boston, November 2010.

Professional and Community Involvement

Ms. Kesselheim was recently appointed to the Public Policy Committee of the Boston Bar Association’s Criminal Section Steering Committee.  In addition to her work as a Boston Bar Association Public Interest fellow, she is also active in the Citizen Schools Program.  Ms. Kesselheim served as a member of the firm’s Hiring Committee.  Prior to law school, Ms. Kesselheim spent two years as a fifth grade teacher in the Chelsea Public Schools.