Kathleen M. Guilfoyle

BIOGRAPHY

Kathleen M. Guilfoyle focuses her practice on aviation/aerospace defense, products liability and drug and medical device defense.

Kathy represents several airlines, airport authorities, manufacturers, ground handling companies and airport and airline contractors in cases pending throughout the state and federal courts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Vermont. This litigation includes the defense of claims involving personal injury and death, premises liability, the Air Carrier Access  Act, discrimination, kidnapping and general commercial litigation. Kathy successfully argued dispositive motions seeking to limit damages or preclude a liability finding under the Montreal Convention and other treaties. Kathy and her firm represented one of the non-carrier airlines in the litigation pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York arising out of the terrorist attacks of September 11th. In this litigation, she also worked on responding to requests for information from the Kean Commission, and participated in non-public witness interviews of various airline personnel by Kean Commission staffers. Kathy was a presenter at the International Aviation Womens Association Annual Conferences in Lisbon and San Francisco and multiple ACI Aviation Conferences in Boston. Kathy also participated in a panel on crisis response and the lessons learned by the airlines at DRI’s Corporate Counsel Roundtable.  Most recently, Kathy was a speaker at SMU Air and Law Forum in Dallas, Texas.

In addition to her aviation/aerospace practice, Kathy is actively involved in defense of drug and medical device manufacturers, trucking litigation, and the defense of a variety of products liability cases involving such diverse products as printing presses, heaters, toys, food and medication. She has handled cases in these fields from pre-suit to verdict. She has also handled the defense of various environmental claims for fuel suppliers involving 21E claims, releases, propane tank explosions and faulty regulators.

Kathy was selected as a Top Woman of Law for 2011 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Kathy has served on the Board of Directors of the International Aviation Womens Association since 2007. She was elected a National Director of DRI at the Annual Meeting in October 2012 and served a three- year term, followed by one year on the executive committee as secretary/ treasurer. Kathy is listed in Who’s Who Legal International Who’s Who of Aviation Lawyers. Kathy was elected Director of the National Foundation for Judicial Excellence in January 2014 and continues to serve as a director.

Representative Experience:

• In re September 11 Litigation
• Laura Arbeitman, as Administratrix of the Estate of Margaret Alene Sanders v. AT Systems New England, Inc., et.al.
• In re Panacryl Suture litigation
• Stone v. Federal Express Corporation (VT)
• West, v, Bell Helicopter, et. al. (NH)
• Currie v The Boeing Company
• Guzman v. The Boeing Company
• Katz v, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, et.al.
• Rossini v. Cirrus Design Corp, et.al.
• Goodwin v. British Airways PLC
• Clifford Gorfinkle v. U.S. Airways
• Combe v. Continental Airlines, Inc.
• Jackson v. Janssen Pharmaceutical, et.al
• Ground Contamination by Heating Oil Prompts Claims
• Milward v. Acuity Specialty Products Group, Inc.
• Johnson v. National Sea Products
• Edward Judge v. Pyramid Gun Mall
• Augusto v. The Sherwin Williams Company, et. al.
• Walsh v. PACCAR, Inc.

MEMBERSHIPS

• International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA)
  • President-Elect, 2021
  • Board of Directors, 2007-Present
  • Vice President, Annual Conference 2020
  • Vice President, Next Generation 2017-2019
  • Executive Vice President and Secretary, 2014-2016
  • Vice President, Membership, 2012-2014
  • Vice President, Annual Conference, 2010-2012
  • Treasurer, 2007-2010

• DRI
  • DRI Board of Directors, National Director, 2012-2015
  • DRI Secretary Treasurer, 2015-2016
  • Chair, Management Council, The Center for Law and Public Policy, 2020-Present
  • Vice Chair, Management Council, DRI Center for Law and Public Policy, 2019
  • Vice Chair, DRI Center For Law and Public Policy, 2016-2018
  • Drug and Medical Device Committee, Board Liaison, 2015
  • DRI Membership Committee, 2007-2012
  • Judicial Task Force, Chair, 2014-2015
  • Committee Engagement Committee, Chair, 2015
  • Jury Service Task Force, Vice Chair, 2010
  • Lawyers Professionalism and Ethics Committee, Vice Chair, 2003-2005, Chair, 2005 – 2007
  • External Policy Group, 2015
  • Diversity Scholarship Committee, 2013
  • Issues and Advocacy Committee, 2012-Present
  • Non-Dues Revenue Task Force, 2013
  • Committee Memberships, Women in the Law, Drug and Medical Device, Aviation Products, Commercial Litigation, Lawyers Professionalism and Ethics

• National Foundation for Judicial Excellence
  • Executive Committee, 2021
  • Board of Directors, 2014-2020 Development Committee
  • NFJE Judicial Liaison, Massachusetts, 2015

• Federation of Defense Corporate Counsel
  • Chair, Aviation Law Section, 2021

• The Harmonie Group
  • Vice Chair, Aviation Practice Committee, 2009 – 2012

• International Association of Defense Counsel

• Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association

• Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Speaker at CLE Programs

• American Bar Association

• Boston Bar Association

• Federal Bar Association

AWARDS

• Voted a Top Woman in Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
• AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
• Named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer, 2006, 2013 – Present
• Who’s Who Legal Transport: Aviation Contentious, 2013-Present
• Best Lawyers in America, 2020-Present

Laura Arbeitman, as Administratrix of the Estate of Margaret Alene Sanders v. AT Systems New England, Inc., et.al.

April 2015

James Campbell and Kathleen Guilfoyle obtained a defense verdict on April 11, 2013 in Northampton Superior Court in Laura Arbeitman, as Administratrix of the Estate of Margaret Alene Sanders v. AT Systems New England, Inc., et.al. This wrongful death action arose out of a fatal collision between an armored vehicle and a bicyclist at the…

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Campbell Conroy & O’Neil Obtains Dismissal of MCAD Claim

Campbell Conroy & O’Neil Obtains Dismissal of Passenger Complaint Filed with the MCAD

Campbell Conroy & O’Neil Obtains Summary Judgment in Lampron v. Ethicon, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson

Campbell Campbell Edwards & Conroy obtained summary judgment in favor of J&J and Janssen Pharmaceuticals in a Risperdal action

September 11 Litigation

Ground Contamination by Heating Oil Prompts Claims

PUBLICATIONS

Co-Author and Presenter, “The Ethical Duty of Technological Competence: The Impact of Digital Data on the Practice of Law”, SMU Air Law Forum, March 28-29, 2019, Las Colinas, Texas

Presenter, “Practicing in the District Court,” Massachusetts Bar Association—Ongoing

Presenter, 2016 DRI Leadership Conference, “Update on the DRC Center for Law and Public Policy”

Presenter, 2016 DRI Northeast Regional Meeting on the work of The Judicial Task Force and its progress in its grass roots efforts and work with the SLDOs.

Presenter, 2015 DRI Atlantic/Northeast Regional Meeting on the work of The Judicial Task Force and the plan for the grass roots effort to be mounted in states most impacted by funding cuts and the opportunity of the SLDOs to partner with The Judicial Task Force.

Presenter, 2015 DRI Leadership Conference on The Economics of Justice and the work of The Judicial Task Force.

Panelist, “Crisis Response: Lessons Learned by the Airline Industry,” 2015 DRI Corporate Counsel Roundtable, The St. Regis, New York, (January 22-23, 2015)

Author, Op-Ed, “A Penny for the Courts,” which was published on September 17, 2014 in The Boston Globe online newspaper.

Author, “Where Have all the Women Gone: Making the Case for Focused Mentoring,” On the Record, For the Defense (August 2014)

Presenter, SLDO Conclave, 2014 DRI Annual Meeting, on The Economics of Justice and on the work of The Judicial Task Force and the partnership opportunities with the SLDOs.

Co-Author, “Proving the Details of the 9/11 Attacks: The Admissibility of the Kean Commission Findings,” Defense Counsel Journal, July 2012

Co-Moderator, “In-House Counsel and Claims Officer Think Tank: Manufacturers, Carriers and Insurers Speak Out on Case Evaluation and Managing Costs of Litigation and Insurance,” 2012 ACI Aviation Conference in Boston, June 26-27, 2012

Presenter, “Proving Medical Causation in Product Liability Cases,” AALNC 2010 National Education Conference, American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, Pittsburgh, PA, 2010

Presenter, “Aviation Insurance for the General Practitioner: Demystifying the Types of Coverage,” 2009 ACI Aviation Conference in Boston, June 23-24, 2009

Presenter, “Tips for Effective Mediation,” Women Drive Results in Transportation, National Program, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association, Dearborn, Michigan, 2008

Presenter, “Legal Issues for Fixed Base Operators,” Independent Fixed Base Operators Association Regional Aviation Trade Show, Hyannis, Massachusetts, 2008

Presenter, “The September 11th Litigation after the Closure of the VCF and the Issuance of the Kean Commission Report: What’s Left and What’s Next?,” 16th Annual IAWA Conference, San Francisco, California, 2004

Presenter, “Compensating the Victims and Preventing the Collapse of the Aviation Industry: The Aftermath of September 11th,” 15th Annual IAWA Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, 2003

Co-Author, “Evidentiary Requirements for the Admission of Enhanced Digital Photographs,” published in the IADC Newsletter, October, 2002

Co-Author, “Alleged Improper Handling of In-Flight Medical Emergencies: A Cognizable Claim Under the Warsaw Convention?,” International Association of Defense Counsel, Aviation and Space Law Committee Newsletter, No. 1., 2002

Co-Author, “Asserting Claims for Sexual Assault Under the Warsaw Convention,” International Association of Defense Counsel, Aviation and Space Law Committee Newsletter, No. 10., 2000

Presenter, “Be a Parent, Not a Pal,” a social host liability presentation that our firm makes at high schools around the state in an effort to educate both parents and teenagers on the dangers and criminal and civil liability for underage drinking and/or procuring alcohol for underage individuals

NEWS

Kathy Guilfoyle: Leading with Innovation, Empowering with Vision. Celebrating Women’s History Month

March 2024

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The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Edition Includes 22 Attorneys from Campbell Conroy & O’Neil

September 2023

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Campbell Conroy & O’Neil Congratulates our 2022 Super Lawyers

October 2022

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Kathy Guilfoyle Speaks at European Leadership Forum

August 2022

Boston member Kathy Guilfoyle spoke at the International Aviation Womens Association’s (“IAWA”) Leadership Forum in Geneva, Switzerland on June 10th. Hosted by the International Air Transport Association (“IATA”) the Forum was attended by people from more than 7 countries and topics focused on “Emerging from Covid-19:  A European Perspective.”  Ms. Guilfoyle, who serves as President…

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Campbell Conroy & O’Neil’s Kathy Guilfoyle Appointed President-Elect of IAWA

May 2021

Boston Member Kathy Guilfoyle has been appointed President-Elect of the International Aviation Womens Association.  IAWA is dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in the aviation and aerospace industries at all levels worldwide.  Kathy will serve in this position until December, 2021 at which time she will begin her two year term as president.  Kathy…

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