Mar 10, 2025
Hon. Kathleen A. Kelly (Ret.) Joins ADR Services, Inc.
Judge Kelly brings with her over 20 years of distinguished judicial experience and an exceptional reputation for her expertise in civil litigation and dispute resolution, and innovative work in collaborative problem-solving courts.
Since her appointment to the San Francisco Superior Court in 2003, Judge Kelly has presided over a wide range of civil jury and bench trials, mediations, and settlement conferences, excelling in managing high-stakes cases involving employment disputes, contracts, personal injury, construction, and housing matters. Judge Kelly’s leadership in the Civil Settlement Program, as well as her pivotal role in the Family Treatment Court, has set new standards for judicial excellence and innovation.
Judge Kelly has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the legal field, including being named the 2024 Trial Judge of the Year by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association. Known for her pragmatic, persistent, and collaborative approach, she prepares thoroughly for each case and fosters open communication to achieve practical and meaningful outcomes. Her commitment to follow-up and her use of mediator’s proposals demonstrate her dedication to guiding even the most complex disputes to resolution.
Judge Kelly’s extensive trial experience and legal background, both before and during her judicial service, have given her in-depth knowledge across numerous areas of law. Prior to her time on the bench, she served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of California, as a Senior Trial Attorney in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, and in private practice focusing on civil litigation and insurance coverage. She earned her J.D. from UC Law San Francisco, where she served as Executive Editor of the Hastings Journal of Communications and Entertainment Law. Her undergraduate degree is from UC Berkeley.