Hank Brennan Biography – Hank Brennan Wiki

Hank Brennan is a prominent criminal defense attorney in Boston, Massachusetts. A former prosecutor in Essex and Suffolk counties, Brennan served as co-lead counsel in the South Boston murder trial of reputed mobster James “Whitey” Bulger in 2013. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Suffolk University Law School.

On September 18, 2024, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey announced that he had appointed Brennan as a special prosecutor, an outside name to run the Commonwealth’s case against Karen Read at her second trial.

“Attorney Brennan is a highly respected and skilled former prosecutor and long-time defense attorney with over 25 years of experience in state and federal courts and has expertise handling complex law enforcement matters,” Norfolk County DA Michael Morrissey said in a statement.

“I assume full responsibility and all obligations for prosecuting this case and will do so meticulously, ethically, and zealously, without compromise,” Attorney Brennan said in a statement. “I have two core obligations. The first is to make certain that Karen Read receives a fair trial. Ms. Read will receive the dignity and fairness that every defendant deserves in our criminal justice system. The second is to ensure that the facts surrounding John O’Keefe’s death are fully and fairly aired in the courtroom without outside influence.”

Attorney Brennan has been recognized by Super Lawyers of Massachusetts and has been named as one of the country’s top 100 trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Karen Read Trial

Hank Brennan is leading the prosecution in the second trial of Karen Read. Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, on a snowy night back in January 2022 in Canton. Prosecutors allege she hit O’Keefe with her car after a night of drinking and an argument. Read’s first trial ended in a mistrial on July 1, due to a hung jury.

Brennan will be paid up to $75,000 for his services, at a rate of $250 per hour. He is being compensated under a “maximum obligation” contract which expires on June 30, 2025. If his fees exceed that amount or the case goes on past June 30, a new contract will be written, per the agreement.