Overview
Kelly is a partner in WSHB’s New York office and managing partner of the firm’s New Jersey office. With more than 25 years of experience successfully defending complex litigation matters, Kelly is the lawyer to whom General Counsel and claims professionals turn to when they face a “bet the company” lawsuit. Kelly’s practice includes trying cases to verdict in state and federal court in New Jersey.
Kelly’s product liability practice includes defending complex product liability matters for a number of regulated products including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, consumer products, foods, automotive and construction/industrial machines in either single plaintiff cases or by way of class actions. In addition to her trial experience, Kelly has participated in numerous multi-party mediations. Her ability to identify the issue, appropriately value the case and seek an early and practical resolution has led to early and successful resolutions for the benefit of her clients. Through her work with product manufacturers, Kelly has developed a related commercial practice advising manufacturers and distributors in commercial, and consumer-related matters.
Kelly's construction practice includes defending landowners, builders and developers in all aspects of private and public construction litigation, including public accommodation issues under the ADA and personal injury actions relating to construction site accidents. Her employment practice includes defending employers and management-side employees against claims of discrimination and wage and hour violations under state and federal laws. With this background and her risk management skills, Kelly also serves as General Counsel to a number of small and medium-sized businesses where she provides advice on personnel issues, risk management strategies, litigation management, employment and general commercial best practices. Kelly was at the forefront of developing Covid-19 return to work policies for various industries, including film.
Her professional liability practice involves the defense of errors and omissions matters, involving professionals in the medical, legal, insurance, real estate, accounting and financial fields. Kelly also assists our national insurance coverage practice by advising and representing domestic and international insurers on first-party property (Homeowner’s and Commercial), commercial general liability, construction defect, and professional errors and omission claims.
In addition to her extensive litigation experience, Kelly serves as a Municipal Court Judge in the Townships of Union and Scotch Plains, New Jersey.
Kelly is a fellow on the Litigation Counsel of America, an invitation-only trial lawyer honorary society limited to 3,500 fellows, representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. She is also a member of the Trial Law Institute and Diversity Law Institute. Additionally, for more than twenty years, Kelly served as a Trustee for the New Jersey Metro Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and is one of the Founders of the Women on the Move Luncheon which raises money to fund research and provide services for people diagnosed with MS. She currently serves as Secretary and Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of America, a national, not-for-profit organization which raises money to fund services for people living with MS. She is a founder and the former President of the Board of Directors of the Vanguard Theater Company, a community theater located in New Jersey dedicated to bringing diversity to the stage. She also currently serves as First Vice President and Human Resources Chair for the Union County Performing Arts Center and is also a member of the Ad Hoc Committee advising the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs.
Experience
- Gayles v. Go Ahead and Jump, LLC, et. al
- Defina v. Might As Well Jump, et. al. A-1861-17T2 (N.J. App. Div. June 13, 2019)
- Defina v. Might As Well Jump, et. al., A-1861-17T2 (N.J. App. Div. June 5, 2018)
- Kenny v. Bridgewater Golden Eagles, et. al., A-3571-10T2 (N.J. App. Div. August 6, 2012)
- Arlandson v. Hartz Mountain Corp., et al., 792 F.Supp.2d 691 (D.N.J. 2011)
- Snyder v. Farnam Companies, Inc., 792 F. Supp 2d 712 (D.N.J. 2011)
- Arlandson v. Hartz Mt. Corp., 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 94049 (D.N.J., Aug. 23, 2011)
- Johansson v. Cent. Garden & Pet Co., 804 F. Supp. 2d 257, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56463 (D.N.J., 2011)
- Smith v. Merial, Ltd., 804 F. Supp. 2d. 257 (D.N.J. 2011)
- Harrow v. Prudential Insurance Company, 76 F. Supp. 2d. 558 (D.N.J. 1999)
Credentials
Education
- New York Law School (J.D.)
- Rutgers University (B.A.)
Licensed to Practice in
- New Jersey
- New York
Newsroom
News
Events, Seminars & Speaking Engagements
- Medmarc Insurance Company, A Proassurance Company, Presenter, How To Train the Next Gen Trial Attorneys, June 2021
- Claims & Litigation Management's Cyber, Management & Professional Liability Conference, Speaker, Girl on Fire: The Price of Pursuing the Truth in the #MeToo World, July 2019
- Medmarc Insurance Company, a Proassurance Company, Presenter, Medical Technology – Are Humans Becoming Obsolete, June 2019
- Medmarc Insurance Company, a Proassurance Company, Presenter, Mock Trial, June 2018
- Claims & Litigation Management's Professional Liability Conference, Speaker, Sexual Harassment Front and Center: Harvey, Spacey, and Louis C.K. Exposed!, June 2018
- Medmarc Insurance Company, a Proassurance Company, Presenter – How to Identify and Defend Against the Reptile Theory, June 2015
- Network to Network Consortium of Women, Panel Presentation, Advancing Your Career Purposefully with Leadership and Influence, Verizon North America, Basking Ridge, New Jersey, June 6, 2014
- Magna Legal Services Annual Conference, Mock Trial Challenge, Atlantic City, New Jersey, November 12 -13, 2014, supporting The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- In-House Training, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation Update, September 2011
Publications
Community
Community Activities
- Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs, Ad Hoc Committee Member
- Union County Performing Arts Center, First Vice President, Chair Human Resources and Legal Committee
- Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, Secretary and Chair, Governance and Nominating Committee, National Board of Directors
- Multiple Sclerosis Association of America, Women of Action Luncheon Committee Member
Memberships
- Trial Law Institute
- Diversity Law Institute