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Thomas P Kelly III
also known as Law Offices of Thomas P. Kelly III P.C.
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About Thomas
Biography
I practice predominately in Sonoma County, but also handle matters in Marin, Lake, and San Francisco counties. I am focused on bankruptcy and civil litigation in both state and federal court, with a focus on matters that arise from consumer financial issues, including wrongful foreclosures and debt collection practices. I am a graduate of University of California, Los Angeles and earned my law degree at Seattle University (Sullivan Hall) where I graduated cum laude. In addition to California I am also admitted to practice in Oregon and the District of Columbia. I am a native of Santa Rosa, where I shared an office with my father, Thomas P. Kelly Jr., who was an attorney in Sonoma County for more than forty years, and I am also a British citizen by descent.
If you are facing huge debts, a foreclosure, or lawsuits, give us a call. First consult costs zero.
We handle litigation matters in both state and federal court. Contracts, real estate, and others.
This is the most common type of bankruptcy and can wipe out most kinds of debt. Consult is free.
Chapter 13 is a repayment plan lasting up to five years. Best used to save a home from foreclosure.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Bankruptcy and Debt
30%
22 years
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
30%
20 years
Litigation
30%
22 years
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
10%
20 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
Awards
2017 2015
2017 2015
Licenses
Licensed in District of Columbia for 14 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
Licensed in Oregon for 17 years
State: Oregon
Acquired: 2008
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 21 years
State: California
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Thomas P Kelly III
(707) 542-3371
Fax
50 Old Courthouse Square Ste 609, Santa Rosa, CA, 95404
redwoodbankruptcy.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Thomas online.
Thomas P Kelly III's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 58 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Sarah | August 15, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Made a hard time easier
Doing a bankruptcy was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. A lot of anxiety, stress, and having to lay out what I felt were failures. From my first phone call with Mr. Kelly, I felt better about the process. I had credit cards calling and making threats and didn’t even want to open the mail. He j...
Posted by Don | June 3, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Made my bankruptcy painless
Had big medical bills and my insurance didn't cover all of it. Had to file bankruptcy to discharge it. Did not want to, and really felt like a failure. Could not have asked for better help. I only had to meet with a court trustee for 10 minutes, and the rest was just painless paperwork and Tom handle...
Posted by Greg | May 22, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Put in the time to solve my debt problems
I really need a good bankruptcy attorney to help me with a growing financial problem, and had no idea where to turn. I didn’t know anything about bankruptcy, and I was anxious about the process and what might happen. A friend referred me to Tom, and he was outstanding from the start. I had to take t...
Posted by Nick | May 14, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Made me feel much better about filing
I hired Mr. Kelly for help with my giant debts. Nobody likes to talk about bankruptcy. Even the thought of it made me anxious. But Mr. Kelly met with me for a first consultation that was free. He was very knowledgeable, and I really liked the way he spoke to me. No judgment or tone, and it’s pretty c...
Posted by Nicole | May 5, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Helped me put it all behind me
I was referred to Tom Kelly by a close friend, and I am so grateful for his help. I did not want to file bankruptcy, or even if I should. Tom spent a long time with me explaining the process, and he made it very clear and easy to follow. It took a bit to get my case started because I had to get s...
Thomas P Kelly III's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mr. Kelly is one of the most dedicated attorneys I know, even working nights and weekends. He takes great care of everyone I refer to him. Determined litigator and staunch defender of rights."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Kelly is always prepared. He is an excellent attorney who takes pride in his knowledge of the law and obtaining excellent results for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"The answers of Mr. Kelly are consistently accurate, analytic, and customized to the needs of the Avvo askers. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."
"Mr. Thomas is a highly skilled, diligent and knowledgeable attorney who is well-known in the legal community for his outstanding professionalism. He was able to obtain satisfactory results even for clients whose cases were incredibly difficult by dedicating his time and effort to achieve the best results. I certainly endorse this lawyer and have no doubt he will be of great help to anyone seeking legal advice or representation within his main areas of practice."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Kelly is a very knowledgeable and effective advocate for his clients."
"Tom has an excellent understanding of the legal system and is a great source for Bankruptcy and Litigation. More importantly he is really good with clients and keeping them informed and positioned well."
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom and I have worked on several cases together, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. Tom is an excellent litigator with extensive knowledge of the law and procedures. He is very responsive to his clients and on top of his cases. He works very hard for his clients and achieves excellent results. Tom is a very strong skilled lawyer who I would recommend to anyone needing a shark to protect them."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Kelly is a knowledgable and professional attorney along with being a very likable and friendly person. Not two sides of a coin that often go together. Over the time I have known him, he has shown extensive skill and expertise in his areas of practice and has always been attainable when needed for advice. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer for always showing dedication to clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Highly skilled attorney who provides detailed responses to the AVVO community. Great asset to AVVO."
"Tom is a great Bankruptcy attorney. His knowledge on the subject is impressive and beyond extensive. I am confident in his skills on all bankruptcy matters and feel that my referrals to him are in great hands."
"I endorse this lawyer. Top-notch, well-rounded and respected litigator among the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have know Mr. Kelly for a few years through the Sonoma County Bar Bankruptcy Section and I assure you he is well respected by his peers. Whenever I want opinions on an issue he is one of the first attorneys I ask. He is extremely knowledgeable and in my opinion a great bankruptcy attorney"
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom is an aggressive litigator who fights for his clients to get results. He's also a really nice guy to work with."
"I endorse this lawyer. Tom and I have had extensive discussions on the rapidly changing nature of CA law regarding foreclosure litigation. He knows this field quite well and is a great asset helping borrowers understand and enforce their options."
Michael Doland
Litigation lawyer
Brian Whitaker
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Carl Starrett
Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer
Stuart Steingraber
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Dorothy Bunce
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
James Shields
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Robert Firth
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Channika Desilva
Mesothelioma and asbestos lawyer
Christine James
Litigation lawyer
Fred Isquith
Litigation lawyer
Andra Vaccaro
Business lawyer
Michael Watters
Litigation lawyer
Leonard Boyer
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
James Zakasky
Estate planning lawyer
Angelle Wertz
Family lawyer
Samuel Daw
Criminal defense lawyer
Kristen FrizzellKerns
Litigation lawyer
John Borba
Litigation lawyer
Wesley Garcia
Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer
William Matz
Foreclosure lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
5.0 Client Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2001
Graduated cum laude, Seattle University School of Law
1994
Member, Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society
Work Experience
2004 - Present
Attorney, Law Offices of Thomas P. Kelly III
2001 - 2003
Contract Analyst, Reliant Resources
1996 - 1998
Legal Assistant Clerk, Baker Botts, LLP
1989 - 1991
Infantry and Combat Engineer, United States Army
Associations
2016 - Present
US Court of Appeals - First CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2016 - Present
US Court of Appeals - Third CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2016 - Present
US Court of Appeals - Fifth CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2016 - Present
US Court of Appeals - Tenth CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2014 - Present
US Court of Appeals - Sixth CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2014 - Present
US Court of Appeals - Eleventh CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2011 - Present
National Association of Bankruptcy TrusteesMember
2011 - Present
Bar Association of the District of ColumbiaMember
2010 - Present
United States Court of Federal ClaimsAdmitted to Practice
2010 - Present
United States Supreme CourtAdmitted to Practice
2010 - Present
National Notary AssociationNotary
2010 - Present
San Francisco Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
Bay Area Bankruptcy ForumMember
2010 - Present
Better Business Bureau (A+ rating)Listed
2010 - Present
National Association of Consumer AttorneysMember
2010 - Present
Consumer Attorneys of CaliforniaMember
2009 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
2009 - Present
Sonoma Bar Association, Bankruptcy SectionMember
2008 - Present
National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy AttorneysMember
2008 - Present
Oregon State Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
United States Court of International TradeAdmitted to Practice
2005 - Present
United States District Court for the Northern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice
2005 - Present
United States District Court for the Central District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice
2005 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice
2005 - Present
United States District Court for the Southern District of CaliforniaAdmitted to Practice
2005 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Armed ForcesAdmitted to Practice
2005 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans ClaimsAdmitted to Practice
2005 - Present
United States Tax CourtAdmitted to Practice
2004 - Present
US Court of Appeals - Ninth CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2004 - Present
Sonoma County Bar AssociationMember
2004 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2012 - 2012
Sonoma Bar Association, Bankruptcy SectionChairman
Sample of Legal Cases
Movshovitz v. US Dept. of Education CAND A.P. No. 16-01096
$300,000 in student loans discharged.
Casey vs. US Dept. of Education CAND A.P. No. 14-1059
$500,000 in student loans discharged.
Laguens vs. Briggs CAND AP 11-01154
Verdict for my client plus $25,000 in punitive damages.
Wiggins vs. Housley CAND BK A.P. No. 11-1153
Verdict for client.
Education
2001
Seattle University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1995
University of California - Los Angeles
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
Sonoma State University
MA - Masters (enrolled)
Speaking Engagements
2016
Sonoma State MA Program
Assassination of Pertinax and the Third Century Crisis of the Roman Empire
2015
Sonoma State MA Program
Bronze Age Collapse of the 12th Century BC
Publications
2015
2015
2014
Sonoma State MA Program
Portent of Chaos : Contemporary Scholarship on the Year of the Five Emperors
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Thomas earned significant contribution points in 2017.
Legal Answers
Q&A
As a creditor, What can I do to get bankruptcy 7 stay lifted or dismissed without discharge? adversary proceeding? bad faith?
30 Jul 2019
Q&A
What do I do when I have received a Notice of Levy for credit card debt from 5-7 years ago?
12 Jul 2018
Q&A
Are California homestead exemptions for chapter 7bankruptcy only available if you have lived in your home for a certain time?
18 Jul 2018