Kelly Gavin Ward

Attorney Kelly G. Ward was born in St. Clair, Michigan, and spent her childhood in Three Rivers, Michigan.

Kelly graduated from Marcellus High School. She started her collegiate career at Southwestern Michigan College, receiving a certificate in office administration, allowing her to work as an office manager for Attorney Peter M. Karlowicz, in Cassopolis, Michigan, while completing college.  Shortly thereafter, Kelly moved to the Chicago area to live and work for Attorney Kent A. Heitzinger and continue her education at Des Plaines Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois.   Eventually Kelly completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies, Land Use Planning and Management with a minor in Political Science at California State University East Bay where she lived for several years with her husband raising their three children in the San Francisco Bay Area.  It was there that Kelly helped her first husband start an intellectual property law firm that still thrives to this day.  After returning to Michigan, Kelly decided to attend law school at the age of 38.   Kelly attended Western Michigan University Cooley Law School receiving her JD with an emphasis in transactional law in 2011.   During law school, Kelly participated in a judicial externship in Kalamazoo with the Honorable Curtis J. Bell. In December, 2011, Kelly became licensed by the State Bar of Michigan and shortly thereafter was sworn into the federal Western District of Michigan.

Outside of work, Kelly has spent time coaching high school mock trials and spent time learning the Individual with Disability Education Act.  Special education issues are dear to Kelly’s heart as her 19-year-old daughter, Mary, has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kelly also participates in special Olympics events.  Kelly is married to L.T. Ward with four children (Christopher (Alyssa), Nicholas, Mary, and Addyson), and one grandchild on the way to be named Jonathan.  Kelly’s husband is a mechanical engineer working with an architectural firm in Kalamazoo, Michigan.   Kelly has a yellow lab, Zipper, a mutt, Oliver, and a chocolate lab, Michonne.  Kelly is an avid animal lover and would have many more if her husband would agree.  Kelly enjoys taking dance classes with her husband, golfing, and bowling.  But her most important time is spent with her husband, children, and pets.