Dennis J. Kelly is a civil litigation attorney and mediator whose practice focuses on commercial litigation. He regularly handles matters involving real estate and professional liability. Born in Rockville Centre, New York, Dennis received his J.D from New York Law School and his LLM in Corporate/Securities Law from New York University (NYU) School of Law. After law school Dennis worked at the New York home office of Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker where he gained his litigation skills and trial experience, including several large arbitrations, one of which took place in Bermuda. While at Wilson Elser with its nationwide offices, Dennis handled cases throughout the country. Dennis then became a Claim Director in the Financial Institutions group at American International Group (AIG) where he oversaw a department handling lawsuits involving the securities and banking industries, including the infamous “Boom Boom Room” sexual harassment suit against Smith Barney. Dennis moved to San Francisco to join another nationwide firm, Zelle & Larson, where he continued his law practice as a partner. Dennis was recruited to join Dillingham & Murphy as a partner by one of its founders, the late William Dillingham. Dennis also has extensive experience as a mediator. He is a mediator for the Northern District of California’s Federal mediation program and is a Settlement Conference Officer for the San Francisco Superior Court Settlement Conference Program. Dennis is also on the panel of mediators for the California Lawyers for the Arts to atone for being only a middling guitarist.
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The New York firm combines with Dillingham & Murphy, establishing its first West Coast office at 155 Sansome Street. New York-based McLaughlin & Stern is…
Share ThisRELATED PRACTICES (Defined)
Commercial Litigation – business disputes, breach of contract cases, partnership disputes, claims of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and negligence
Employment – representing employers in civil litigation as well as administrative investigations and hearings in matters with the EEOC and California Civil Rights Department.
Real Estate Litigation – representing real estate developers, contractors, commercial landlords, agents and brokers, property inspectors, title insurers and escrow agents.
Miscellaneous Professional Liability – representing a variety of professionals and service providers, as well as corporate officers in civil litigation and arbitration.
Miscellaneous Litigation – in state and Federal Courts, as well as arbitrations administered by FINRA, AAA, JAMS and private mediation. Matters include class actions concerning the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and life settlement investments, customer disputes with investment advisers and securities broker-dealers, cases under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), reverse mortgages, product liability, commission disputes, and premises liability.
CASES OF INTEREST
Rush v. White Corporation (2017) 13 Cal.App.5th 1086: Represented defendants and obtained summary judgment in multi-plaintiff suit concerning real estate development in Big Sky, Montana. Successfully defeated plaintiff’s appeal to the First District Court of Appeal.
George v. Pacific West Securities: Represented Pacific West Securities, et al. in a lengthy FINRA arbitration in which the Georges’ claims were denied in their entirety. Obtained an order in Federal District Court confirming the arbitration award and succeeded in having the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals uphold the Order confirming the arbitration award.
Ashburn v. Sagepoint Financial, Inc.: Represented Respondent Sharon A. Kearney in a lengthy FINRA arbitration and successfully obtained an award that the claimant’s claims were denied in their entirety.
Habersham Funding v. Mills Potoczak & Company: Represented Mills Potoczak & Company and successfully opposed Habersham’s motion for contractual attorney fees and Habersham’s subsequent appeal.
Sawyer v. Horowitz & Associates, Inc.: Represented the Respondents and obtained a favorable award in a lengthy FINRA arbitration where the claimant’s claims were denied in their entirety. Successfully opposed claimant’s motion to vacate the award and succeeded in our cross-motion to confirm the award.
Chandler v. Asset Preservation, Inc.: Successfully defended Respondent in a AAA arbitration. Succeeded in having claimants’ claims denied in their entirety and having our client declared the prevailing party and awarded fees and costs of over $150,000.00.
EDUCATION
- L.L.M., N.Y.U. School of Law, 1990
- J.D., New York Law School, 1984
- B.A., State University of New York, College at New Paltz, 1980
BAR ADMISSIONS
- California
- New York
- New Jersey
FEDERAL COURT ADMISSIONS
- Northern District of California
- Eastern District of California
- Central District of California
- Southern District of California
- Southern District of New York
- Eastern District of New York
- District of New Jersey
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Second Circuit Court of Appeals
Over the course of his legal career, Dennis has appeared in matters in Federal District Courts in California, New York, Connecticut, Ohio, Missouri, and Idaho