Professional Associations and Memberships
- Orange County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Areas of Practice
100% Family Law
Bar Admissions
California, 2012
United States District Court, Central District of California, 2013
Litigation Percentage
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Education
University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, California
- Juris Doctor (J.D.), 2012
Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science
- Minor in Music Performance
Honors & Awards
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, 2024
- Super Lawyers Southern California Rising Stars, 2024
- Honors in Lawyering Skills I & II
- Honors with the USD Criminal Clinic
- Honors in Evidence Advocacy Lab
- CALI Excellence for the Future Award for his outstanding performance in the school’s most advanced trial skills course, Advanced Trial Advocacy
- Competing member the USD National Mock Trial Team
- Principal Trumpet of the University of San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Languages
English
Bio
Mr. Kelsey’s practice is focused on family law trial litigation. Mr. Kelsey is experienced in all types of family law matters, from simple support actions to complex high net worth marital estates.
Education:
Mr. Kelsey, a native of the Chicago area, graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Minor in Music Performance. Mr. Kelsey then completed his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2012. Mr. Kelsey was admitted to practice law in California in 2012, and federally in the United States District Court for the Central District of California in early 2013.
During his law school education, Mr. Kelsey excelled particularly in written and oral advocacy, achieving Honors in Lawyering Skills I & II, Honors with the USD Criminal Clinic, and Honors in Evidence Advocacy Lab. Mr. Kelsey also received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for his outstanding performance in the school’s most advance trial skills course, Advanced Trial Advocacy. Mr. Kelsey further participated as a competing member the USD National Mock Trial Team.
In addition to his educative pursuits at USD School of Law, Mr. Kelsey also sat as the Principal Trumpet of the University of San Diego Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Kelsey continues to serve as a guest judge for mock trial competitions.
Experience:
Following his admission to the California State Bar, Mr. Kelsey began his practice conducting trial work in family law and criminal matters for a boutique firm in Orange County, before moving on to become a Senior Attorney for one of the largest family law firms in Orange County, where he practiced family law exclusively. Mr. Kelsey then worked as in-house counsel for State Farm before returning to the exclusive practice of family law. Mr. Kelsey recently served as a Guest Lecturer for the Orange County Bar Association: Young Lawyers’ Division on the topic of Discovery.
Admissions and Associations:
State Bar of California – Admitted December 2012
United States District Court, Central District of California – Admitted March 2013
Orange County Bar Association – Family Law Section
Orange County Bar Association – Legislative Resolutions Committee
Personal Statement:
“It goes nearly without saying that when a person finds themself seeking family law counsel, they are dealing with a situation which at best is unnerving, at worst is downright arduous. As your counsel, it is and always will be my principal goal to serve and protect your interests, so that you may move onward and upward as expediently as possible.”
