Kelley’s practice focuses on commercial appeals and litigation, particularly business disputes and energy-related matters, and she is Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Kelley has guided clients through every stage of the litigation process, as well as in arbitration. Additionally, Kelley clerked for the Texas Supreme Court and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, giving her a behind the scenes look at the decision-making processes at both the appellate and trial court levels.

She has extensive experience representing upstream and midstream oil and gas clients, ranging from energy-specific disputes over operating agreements, title and royalty issues, regulatory matters, and surface owner disputes, to traditional business litigation involving commercial contracts, fraud, fiduciary duties, and patent infringement claims. Kelley has also represented construction and downstream clients in litigation involving diverse issues, including contract, indemnification, and insurance coverage disputes.

Experience

  • Partner, Wright Close & Barger, 2023 – present
  • Associate, Gray Reed & McGraw, 2016 – 2022
  • Associate, Bracewell, 2014 – 2016

Clerkships

  • Law Clerk to Hon. Lynn N. Hughes, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, 2022 – 2023
  • Law Clerk to Hon. Paul W. Green, Supreme Court of Texas, 2013 – 2014

Certifications

  • Board Certified, Civil Appellate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Memberships

  • State Bar of Texas (Appellate and Oil, Gas & Energy Resources Law Sections)
  • State Bar of New Mexico (Appellate Section)
  • Houston Bar Association (Appellate and Federal Practice Sections)
    • Appellate Section Pro-Bono Committee
    • The Appellate Lawyer Editorial Board
  • Houston Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Houston Young Lawyers Foundation, Life Fellow
  • Texas Supreme Court Historical Society
  • The College of the State Bar of Texas