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Biography

Kelley has worked over the last two decades with large, mid-size and small corporate clients in a wide variety of complex business litigation, including breach of contract, automotive supply chain disputes, financial services litigation, insurance coverage disputes, class actions, trademark infringement and appeals. Kelley has appeared on behalf of clients in numerous state and federal courts around the country and has argued cases before the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court.

In addition to her courtroom litigation practice, Kelley also advises clients with respect to litigation avoidance and business dispute resolution. She understands the practical aspects of her clients’ business goals and risk-tolerance and develops strategies to find the most successful outcomes for her clients.

Kelley is a leader in both her practice and her professional community. She is active in the Michigan State Bar, including prior service as past-chair of the U.S. Courts Committee and as an advisor member and state bar counsel on the Standing Committee for Character and Fitness. Kelley is also a graduate of Leadership Detroit Class XXXV, and has held several leadership positions in the DRI Women and the Law Committee.

Other Info About Kelley

Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Successfully resolved prior to trial a multi-million dollar breach of contract claim between a Tier 1 vehicle chassis manufacturer and its Tier 2 stamping supplier.

Lead counsel for automotive manufacturing clients in breach of warranty and breach of contract claims under the UCC and common law claims, each successfully resolved prior to trial.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a financial institution regarding alleged breach of contract and conversion claims related to consumer bank account funds.

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of insurer for alleged breach of contract regarding life insurance coverage and payment of benefits, upheld on appeal.

Member of litigation team which successfully represented an energy industry client in a federal class action and numerous state court actions arising out of an oil pipeline discharge.

Successfully represented numerous corporate clients on appeal before the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court.

Education

Law School

University of Michigan, J.D. 2001

Undergraduate School

University of Michigan, B.A., with distinction, 1998

Bar Memberships

Kelley is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Michigan, 2001

Recognition

Local & National Recognition

Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2009-2011 in Business Litigation Law

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Defense Research Institute (DRI): Commercial Litigation Committee; Appellate Practice Committee

DRI Women in the Law Committee: Past Chair, Community Subcommittee; Annual Seminar Subcommittee – Planning & Marketing; Past Vice-Chair Public Service Subcommittee

State Bar of Michigan: Past-Chair, Standing Committee on U.S. Courts

Washtenaw County Bar Association

Federal Bar Association

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

University of Michigan Alumni Association

Leadership Detroit Class XXXV

Firm Committees

Kelley serves or has served in the following leadership role(s) at Frost Brown Todd:

Ethics Committee, Member

Presentations

Kelley was invited to speak at the following events:

Speaker, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Annual Summit, “How to Make Sure Your ‘Privileged’ Communications are Truly Confidential: Protecting Legal Advice and Attorney WorkProduct Material in the Modern Business Environment”, 2011

Keynote Speaker, Britton-Macon High School Commencement, 2002

Major Publications

Kelley is an author or contributor to the following publications:

Author, “ICLE Ten Tips in Ten Minutes: Preparing a Witness for Trial,” 2011

Author, State Bar of Michigan Litigation Section Newsletter, “Michigan Courts Have Yet to Determine the Effect of the Adverse Inference Spoliation Sanction on Summary Disposition,” 2007

Co-Author, State Bar of Michigan Litigation Section Newsletter, “Managing Pretrial Discovery of Electronic Data,” 2002