About John
John Kelly trained as a business undergraduate before turning to law. He earned a B.S. in Business from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1999 and a J.D. from Creighton University School of Law in 2003. Those years set the groundwork for a career that has moved between public service and private practice.
He began legal work in the public sector soon after law school. In 2004 he served as a law clerk at the Douglas County Lawyer’s Office. Two years later he joined the Maricopa County Lawyer’s Office as a deputy county lawyer assigned to major crimes. That role placed him in a county prosecutor’s office handling serious criminal matters and courtroom work early in his career.
After several years in public prosecution, Kelly transitioned into private practice. He worked at Suzuki Law Office in 2011, where he handled cases typical of a small firm environment. In 2013 he opened his own practice, Kelly Law Team, PLLC, and continues to serve as owner and lawyer. Running a firm has meant overseeing case strategy, managing client relationships, and supervising any staff or contract attorneys engaged on matters before the firm.
Kelly’s professional memberships trace a path through both local and national organizations. He joined the State Bar of Arizona in 2006 and is listed as a member of the Maricopa County Bar Association beginning in 2014. He has been part of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona membership since 2011, which reflects admission to federal court practice. His affiliations also include the Arizona Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and the American Society of Legal Advocates. He held membership in the New York State Bar Association from 2013 through 2016. Outside the bar, he has an accreditation from the Better Business Bureau starting in 2014.
Those positions mirror a career that has moved between prosecuting major crimes and advising and representing clients in private practice. His background includes courtroom experience at the county level and admission to federal court, along with ongoing involvement in trial-oriented professional groups. He now operates Kelly Law Team, PLLC, handling litigation in Arizona state and federal courts.
