James Patrick Kelly

James Patrick Kelly

3.0
Rating: 8.8

Licensed for 34 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Crystal Lake, IL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Family, Business ... +2 more

101 N. Virginia Ave., Crystal Lake, IL

About James

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 35%

I defend juveniles and adults in felony and misdemeanor cases throughout Illinois. I primarily represent criminal defendants in McHenry, Lake, and Kane Counties. I also represent individuals in DUI's and traffic cases

34 years

35%
Family 25%

I represent individuals in all aspects of divorce matters, including both contested and uncontested divorces, child custody disputes, enforcement of Marital Settlement Agreements, Child Support, and distribution of assets.

34 years

25%
Business 20%

I provide businesses with both corporate transactional services and litigation services. These services range from the sale or purchase of small businesses, to employee issues. I also represent business in litigation both as plaintiff and defendant.

34 years

20%
Bankruptcy and Debt 15%

I represent creditors and debtors in Chapter 7, 11, and 13's

24 years

15%
General Practice 5%

We represent a wide range of consumer clients and business clients. In addition, we represent numerous local governments.

34 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 200-280 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 34 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1991

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Matuszewich Kelly & McKeever LLP

101 N. Virginia Ave., Crystal Lake, IL, 60014

Matuszewich Kelly & McKeever LLP

228 S Wabash Avenue, Suite 410, Chicago, IL, 60604-2380

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James Patrick Kelly's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.0 /5.0

2 Client Reviews

5 star (1)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Mary | September 8, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Keep Looking

I hired Jim a few years ago about a local issue. He totally ripped me. After we parted ways my new lawyer told me what a terrible job he did and that he had given no real defense for me in the case. This man will rob from the poor and seemingly has no worry about it. I firmly believe he likes his ...wealthy friends even to the detriment of his clients. Too bad I can't give him a zero.

Posted by Jerry | October 3, 2012

Estate Planning

From the first time that my wife and I met with Mr. Kelly, he gave us a feeling of confidence, and my being an engineer this is something difficult to achieve with me. He listened to everything we had to say and never once gave us the feeling that there was a timer going, as with some other lawyers.... He was very thorough in going over the pros and cons of doing the estate planning and what we wanted to achieve by doing this. He went over in detail everything we talked about and made sure that we understood everything. We were very impressed with his knowledge and warm and caring attitude.

See All Client Reviews

James Patrick Kelly's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Mark V. Clay headshot
Mark Clay

Family lawyer | Aug 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Mr. Kelly. Very knowledgeable and caring attorney who gets great results in representing clients! I want all people with legal problems to contact him first."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | May 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Daniel Jeffery Regna headshot
Daniel Regna

Business lawyer | Aug 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Since 1995, I have known Jim Kelly to be a highly skilled legal professional practicing law in the NW Chicago suburbs. Jim has a myriad of legal experience including business law, civil litigation, criminal defense, family law and governmental law. I would not hesitate to recommend Jim Kelly to anyone needing legal services."

Mekisha Jane Walker headshot
Mekisha Walker

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Jun 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Raymond M. Flavin III headshot
Raymond Flavin

Litigation lawyer | Apr 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Jim Kelly is a fine attorney who has worked for both the State's Attorney and in private practice. I would recommend him highly."

Robert Thomas Kuehl headshot
Robert Kuehl

Unknown lawyer | Apr 26

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I highly endorse this lawyer. I've known Jim for years. He is an outstanding attorney--smart, responsive, wise, and a superb communicator."

David N. Rechenberg headshot
David Rechenberg

Government lawyer | Apr 29

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I endorse Jim Kelly without reservation. He is an excelent attorney who is hardworking, agressive and gets results for his clients. He has a long list of satisfied clients."

David Brian Franks headshot
David Franks

General practice lawyer | Dec 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Attorney James Kelly since 1995, when we served together as Assistant State's Attorneys in McHenry County. Mr. Kelly and I worked closely together on a complicated matter, one which involved reviewing voluminous amounts of records and coordinating a legal strategy with local and State agencies. I observed first hand Mr. Kelly's motivation, dedication and tenacity, as well as the highest level of professionalism. Now in private practice for several years, Mr. Kelly maintains a high level of professional competence and legal acumen. I recommend Attorney James Kelly to those who are seeking a highly skilled civil litigator."

View All Endorsements
Raymond M. Flavin III headshot
Raymond Flavin

DUI and DWI lawyer

Robert Thomas Kuehl headshot
Robert Kuehl

Litigation lawyer

David Brian Franks headshot
David Franks

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.8 (Excellent)

Honors

2016

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2006

Service, Prairie State Legal Services

Work Experience

2005 - Present

Partner, Matuszewich, Kelly & McKeever, LLP

2002 - 2004

Attorney, Chmiel & Matuszewich

1993 - 2002

Sr. Litigation Attorney, McHenry County States Attorney

1991 - 1993

Partner, Law offices of James P. Kelly

Associations

2013 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association

Assembly Member

2011 - Present

Illinois State Bar Association, Commercial, Banking and Bankruptcy Law Section

Section Council Member

2010 - Present

Illinois Township Attorneys Association

Editor of the Illinois Township Attorney’s Newsletter

2008 - Present

Illinois Township Attorney Association

Vice President

2004 - Present

Lions Club

Member

2004 - Present

Knights of Columbus

Member

McHenry County Bar Association

Member

2013 - 2014

Illinois State Bar Association

Commercial Banking Section Council

2013 - 2014

Illinois State Bar Association

Member of the General Assembly

Sample of Legal Cases

Peeples et.al. v. Village of Johnsburg

Judgment in favor of Plaintiff

Resource Bank v. Richard Turner,

Finding for Defendants in Counter Complaint

See More Legal Cases

Education

1991

IIT Chicago-Kent

JD - Juris Doctor

1977

Canisius College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2013

Illinois Township Attorneys Association Annual Seminar

Hiring Township Attorneys, Potential Conflicts of Interests of Township Attorneys

2013

Fast and Furious Seminar

Duties and Responsibilities of Township Officials

2013

Duties and Responsibilities of Township Officials

Duties and Responsibilities of Township Officials

N/A

Northern Illinois Highway Commissioners Association.

Tort Immunity

Publications

2013

ITA Newsletter Jurisdictional Transfer of Roads

2011

Illinois Township Attorney's Association Newsletter Hiring a Township Attorney

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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