Joseph P. Kelly - Partner

Practice areas and experience

Joe has experience litigating commercial matters, insurance coverage disputes, claims against professionals, and personal injury and property damage claims; failed bank investigations and litigation; counseling insurers on insurance claims and handling claim reserve audits; counseling businesses on a wide range of matters including leasing, employment issues, contracting, acquisitions, financing, real estate and corporate governance; counseling professional corporations such as for dental practices; and handling business start-ups.

Education

Chicago-Kent School of Law, J.D., 2004; University of Illinois, B.S., 2001.

Admitted to Practice

Illinois; and United States District Court for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois

Representative Litigation and Other Matters

• National claims and regulatory counsel for a major life and disability insurer (2015-present)
• Sale of 11 commercial properties in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin in conjunction with a sale of assets of wholesale and retail building and supply company and manufacturer (2021)
• Sale of shares in a family farm (2020)
• Purchase of shares of glass and glazing company (2019) 
• Sale of assets of manufacturing business in US and UK (2017)
• Purchase of assets of wholesale and retail building supply company (2015 Iowa; 2015 Illinois)
• Purchase of shares of property tax consulting company (2016)
• Purchase of assets of printing company (2014)
• Sale of assets of automation company (2013)
• Purchase of assets of multi-location wholesale and retail building supply company and manufacturer (2011-2012)
• Defnse of lawyer and law firm in a case involving legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty claims
• Investigation and litigation involving bank failures including claims against directors, officers, and professionals
• An insurance coverage case involving a multi-million dollar financial institution bond claim about fraudulent letters of credit
• A declaratory judgment claim seeking recission of an insurance policy due to false statements in the insurance application 
• Multiple declaratory judgment claims in Illinois state and federal court regarding coverage under directors' and officers' insurance policies 
• Defense of bariatric surgeon in a case involving medical malpractice claims
• Defense of a general contractor in a case involving a construction accident fall at a Chicago highrise

Reported Cases

• Robert W. Gaylor et.al. v. Campion, Curran, Rausch, Gummerson and Dunlop, P.C. 366 Ill. Dec. 415, 980 N.E. 2d 215 (2d Dist. 2012), petition for leave to appeal denied, 368 Ill. Dec 732, 985 N.E. 2d 305 (Ill. 2013)

Blog 

Co-author of Jones Lemon employment Law Tracker, Business Law Blog, D&O Digest, Financial Institution Bond Blog, Lawyers Malpractice Digest, Professional Liability Insurance Digest

Professional associations

American, Illinois State and Kane County Bar Associations, including the ABA Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice section; Professional Liability Underwriting Society; Society for Human Resources Management

Other activities

Director, Geneva Community Chest

Former Director The Growing Place Preschool at Fox Valley Presbyterian church