Kelly is actively licensed in both California and New Mexico and has gained practical experience over the last fifteen years successfully operating and managing family businesses in both California and New Mexico. Her experience in managing employees and day-to-day business operations gives her the ability to understand and address complex, overlapping, and sometimes hidden issues business owners face.
Kelly began her legal career in New Mexico after earning both a Master of Business Administration and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa. Initially, she practiced general civil litigation and insurance defense, before becoming a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico where she gained invaluable experience as a litigator. During her time in New Mexico and following her relocation to Santa Maria in 2013, she managed several family businesses while also serving as general counsel.
Kelly enjoys serving the legal needs of businesses as well as handling real estate and commercial transactions. Kelly also enjoys providing aggressive representation in litigation involving trust administration, employer-side labor and employment matters, and general business or real property disputes.
Kelly met her husband, a native of Santa Maria, while in law school in Oklahoma. They have three children and spend their spare time at the children’s sporting events each weekend. Kelly also spends time gardening when she’s not assuming her mom-coach-taxi role.
