Kevin L. Kelley
Practice Areas
Experience
- Commercial Finance
- Investment Funds
- Lodging & Accommodations Real Estate
“Kevin Kelley handles an array of real estate matters across the country, including transport and residential projects. He offers particular experience on high-profile developments such as corporate headquarters and campuses. Interviewees stated: 'Kevin is a very smart lawyer, and his clients have a lot of confidence in him.' 'Kevin is a great lawyer whose expertise is of standout quality,'”
— Chambers USA Guide
Biography
Kevin L. Kelley is a veteran real estate lawyer with over 30 years’ experience representing developers, owners, lenders, and investors in real estate development, investment, and financing in Texas and around the U.S. His practical, accessible, and reasonable approach combined with his work ethic and highly effective negotiation style make him a trusted counselor and zealous advocate for his clients and their interests.
Kevin’s clientele includes large, sophisticated, and active commercial real estate developers of hospitality properties and hotels, stakeholders in high-profile urban developments, and developers of corporate headquarters and campuses, including Canadian investors with large portfolios of multifamily properties in the U.S.
With extensive experience in loan restructures, workouts, and foreclosures, Kevin is regularly involved in construction financing and the placement of equity in development projects.
Education
B.B.A., with honors, Texas Christian University, 1981
J.D., St. Mary’s University School of Law, 1985
- Articles Editor, St. Mary’s Law Journal
Bar Admissions
Texas
Professional Certifications
Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law
- Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1992-Present
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Real Estate – Texas, 2004-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2013-2025
- Lawyer of the Year – Dallas/Fort Worth, Real Estate Law, 2023
- Lawyer of the Year – Dallas/Fort Worth, Leisure and Hospitality Law, 2024
- Leisure and Hospitality Law, 2013-2025
- Real Estate Law, 2013-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2020, 2024
- “The Dallas 500,” D CEO, 2016-2018
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas” – Real Estate, D Magazine, 2007-2015, 2017, 2021
- The Legal 500 United States, Real Estate, 2011, 2013
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
- Volunteer of the Year Award, Arthritis Foundation North Texas Chapter
- Member, Salesmanship Club of Dallas
- Board Member, Charitable Golf of Dallas, 2012-2013
- Chair, Web.com Tour Championship, 2012
- Vice Chair, HP Byron Nelson Championship, 2009-2011
- Chair, Legal Committee, 2010, 2016
- Board Member, Youth and Family Centers, 2006-2009
- Membership Committee, 2005
- Member, The Real Estate Council
- Board Member, 2015-present
June 5, 2025
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Releases 2025 USA Guide Featuring 79 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 28 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 79 attorneys and 28 departments for inclusion in the 2025 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 29 departments, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 9 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 12 recognized for the first time.
September 17, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2024
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2024 “Texas Super Lawyers” list.
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
June 6, 2024
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Releases 2024 USA Guide Featuring 67 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 23 Ranked Departments
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 67 attorneys and 23 departments for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 27 departments, with 3 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 8 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 15 recognized for the first time.
September 19, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
June 1, 2023
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2023 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 51 attorneys and 17 departments for inclusion in the 2023 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys recognized in the guides were ranked in 19 practice areas, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas and 6 named among the top attorneys nationwide in their respective areas.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
June 1, 2022
Spotlight
Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2022 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 48 attorneys and 16 departments for inclusion in the 2022 edition of the Global and USA guides.
August 19, 2021
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Recognition & Accolades
- Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1992-Present
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Real Estate – Texas, 2004-2025
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2013-2025
- Lawyer of the Year – Dallas/Fort Worth, Real Estate Law, 2023
- Lawyer of the Year – Dallas/Fort Worth, Leisure and Hospitality Law, 2024
- Leisure and Hospitality Law, 2013-2025
- Real Estate Law, 2013-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2020, 2024
- “The Dallas 500,” D CEO, 2016-2018
- “Best Lawyers in Dallas” – Real Estate, D Magazine, 2007-2015, 2017, 2021
- The Legal 500 United States, Real Estate, 2011, 2013
- AV Preeminent, Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings
- Volunteer of the Year Award, Arthritis Foundation North Texas Chapter
Community Involvement
- Member, Salesmanship Club of Dallas
- Board Member, Charitable Golf of Dallas, 2012-2013
- Chair, Web.com Tour Championship, 2012
- Vice Chair, HP Byron Nelson Championship, 2009-2011
- Chair, Legal Committee, 2010, 2016
- Board Member, Youth and Family Centers, 2006-2009
- Membership Committee, 2005
- Member, The Real Estate Council
- Board Member, 2015-present