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Donald Edward Kelly
About Donald
Biography
Attentive to details, aggressive in the courtroom, and always open to listening to clients, Don is an ally to anyone charged with a felony or misdemeanor crime in Central New York. He has 25 years of experience and operates Kelly Law Center PC. Don has helped people facing weapon possession charges avoid jail time, and he has helped people facing assault charges avoid criminal convictions that could hurt their employment prospects. He has even won the dismissal of indictment charges against accussed bank robbers.
Although he is well-versed in trial tactics, Don also knows that it is often more beneficial to win cases before trial. That is why he carefully examines the charges and the proof from the inception of a criminal case. Don strives to leave no stone unturned in his endeavor to provide his clients with a successful defense. Don represents clients in state and federal court and has served as lead counsel on over 50 felony trials.
Don is actively involved in the community. He serves as a Senior Hearing Examiner for the City of Syracuse Parking Violations Bureau, where he presides over hearings to examine contested parking tickets. Additionally, he is a past Vice President of the Onondaga County Bar Association's Assigned Counsel Program Board of Directors.
Don received his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Oswego and his Juris Doctor with honors from the Syracuse University College of Law.
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 29 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Location
Kelly Law Center, P.C.
2717 Bellevue Avenue, Suite 6, Syracuse, NY, 13219
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Donald Edward Kelly's Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Alaina | July 25, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Professional, Prompt, Knowledgeable
Mr. Kelly assisted me with two small legal items. He and his team were prompt to set up the retainer and kept me up to date on all important matters. The resolution on both items far surpassed my expectations. I could NOT be more pleased!!!
Posted by anonymous | November 16, 2012
Easy to work with
Mr. Kelly helped me with a relatively simple matter. Never-the-less, he was able to set up the retainer quickly, offered a solution and was able to ensure that my claim was dismissed. Getting the right result was the most important thing and he came through.
Posted by anonymous | November 6, 2012
Review Donald Edward Kelly
He is very knowledgeable, kept me informed of everything going on, contacted me several times, answered all my questions, and was very professional and polite. He represented me as well as I expected.
Posted by Kate | November 6, 2012
A top notch attorney
I have used Donald E. Kelly as my personal attorney as well as a referral for all my real estate clients. He is very knowledgable and proffessional. He treats his clients with respect, and keeps them informed. My clients have been very satisfied that I referred an attorney that gets the job done in a...
Donald Edward Kelly's Lawyer Endorsements
"Don is a thorough and attentive attorney. He proactively pursues the best possible outcome for every client he represents. I endorse this lawyer without hesitation."
"Don is a great attorney: wonderful to work with and proactively works to save clients money. I highly endorse Don."
"I endorse this lawyer. Don has one of the finest lawyers I know."
"I endorse this lawyer. Don is an aggressive and proactive attorney and manager. Don has a vast amount of experience, which would be valuable to any future client."
"I endorse this lawyer. One of the finest attorneys in upstate New York. Highly regarded in legal community."
"Few Criminal Defense attorneys have the great track record of Donald Kelly and that is because he's aggressive in the courtroom and pays attention to all the details. As a Criminal Defense attorney myself I know that many times it's the digging into details that gives our clients the best possible verdict. I know Donald's track record and you can'd do better than to put your case in is very capable hands."
"The difference between a good criminal defense attorney and a great one depends on two traits: being aggressive in court and pinning down every detail. As zealous as Don is at trial, he knows the value of winning cases even before they go to trial. He is effective, thorough and attentive to every detail that help his clients. I endorse Don without hesitation or reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Donald. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Don Kelly is an experienced, competent criminal defense attorney with many trial victories. He cares deeply about his clients and works hard to get them the best possible outcome in their cases. Don’s inclusion in the “Top 100 Trial Lawyers” by the National Trial Lawyers was hard earned and well deserved."
"Don Kelly is an excellent defense lawyer with a vast amount of experience in defending complex cases. He has representation experience at all levels of the state and federal court systems. He is extremely prepared and knowledgeable when he enters a courtroom. I recommend him enthusiastically for any criminal defense matter in the Syracuse area."
"With his extensive knowledge of the laws of New York state and his expansive trial experience, Don Kelly is one of the premiere criminal defense attorneys in central New York. His dedication to his clients is unmatched, and his unwavering determination in his representation of his clients is nothing less than fierce."
"Don Kelly’s aggressive representation of his clients in a wide array of criminal matters has placed him amongst the preeminent criminal defense attorneys in Central New York. His knowledge of the law and his ability to stand up to even the most determined of prosecutors has earned Mr. Kelly numerous acquittals for his clients, as well as accolades and invitations into elite associations of trial attorneys. I would highly recommend Mr. Kelly to defend any client accused of a crime."
"I highly recommend Don as a Criminal Defense attorney. Don’s legal knowledge, professionalism and dedication to his clients is unmatched."
"I had the pleasure of working with Don for several years. He is very bright. His legal research and writing were top notch and I always looked to him for advice and opinions. A client would be well served to hire him. I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2021
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
Best Criminal Defense Attorneys Upstate New York, Super Lawyers
2021
Top Criminal Defense Attorneys Central New York, Expertise
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Principal Attorney, Kelly Law Center, P.C.
2014 - 2017
Managing Partner, Tully Rinckey, PLLC
2012 - 2018
Partner, Tully Rinckey, PLLC
2002 - 2012
Principal, Kelly Law Offices
1998 - 2001
Child Support Enforcement, Onondaga County Depatment of Social Services
Associations
2015 - Present
Fifth District New York State CourtsPart 137 Attorney/Client Fee Dispute Arbitrator
1996 - Present
Onondaga County Bar AssociationSustaining Member
2007 - 2013
Onondaga County Bar Association, Assigned CounselVice President
2003 - 2017
Syracuse Parking Violations BureauSenior Hearing Examiner
1998 - 2001
Onondaga County Department of Social ServicesChild Attorney
Sample of Legal Cases
People v. Edwin Martinez
Charges Dismissed
Supreme Court Decision
All charges were dismissed
Client v. Sexual Assault Charges
Acquitted On All Charges
Client Faced 15 years in Prison
Charged with a Lesser Sentence
llegal Search Trial
Dismissed all charges
Education
1992
Syracuse University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor Cum Laude
1987
State University of New York, College at Oswego
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2014
Making it to the Top
White Collar Criminals
2014
Daily Defense: Life as a Criminal Attorney
Like as a Criminal Attorney
2012
Ask The Lawyer - Radio Segment
Liability and Self Defense
Publications
2014
National Trial Laywers
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
2014
Syracuse Public Media
CNY Drunk Driving Arrests
2014
Syracuse Public Media
Police Interrogations
2013
2013
WSYR - Radio Segment
Plea Bargains for Speeding
2013
Galaxy Communications
Ask the Lawyer: Missing Court Dates
2012
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How much time can I get for drug court violation?
29 May 2021
Q&A
Now that pot is legal in New York State can I be violated on my probation and go to jail?
14 Apr 2021
Q&A
Can a defense attorney not tell a client about a plea that was offered? It was discovered later that a plea was offered
08 Mar 2021