Jessica Gray Kelly

Jessica Gray Kelly is a Partner in Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP’s Boston office.  Throughout her career, she has represented individuals and businesses in high stakes litigation matters, including commercial, real estate and land use, employment and professional liability disputes.  Ms. Kelly also represents lawyers before the Board of Bar Overseers.  Ms. Kelly provides clear and concise advice and works efficiently to achieve client goals.

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First Circuit Court of Appeals

Maine

Massachusetts

United States District Court for the Districts of Massachusetts and Maine

• “What Hotel Owners Need to Know About COVID Liability,” author, Banker & Tradesman (May 2022)
• “Hotels in 2022,” panelist, Banker & Tradesman (May 2022)
• “SJC Ruling Backs Local Authority,” quoted, Banker & Tradesman (April 2022)
• “Case Focus: Town of Sudbury vs. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority,” author, Boston Bar Journal (April 2021)
• “A Year-In-Review: A Dialogue on the Top 10 Cases,” panelist and conference co-chair, MCLE 20^th Annual Business Litigation Conference (Feb. 2021)
• “How Courts May Interpret COVID-19 Waivers of Liability”, author, Law360 (May 2020)
• “COVID-19 Negligence Claims Looming for Hospitality Industry,” author, Law360 (May 2020)
• “Firing or Withdrawal of Counsel During Litigation,” panelist, Strafford CLE (Nov. 2019)
• “Recovering Punitive Damages in Attorney Malpractice Cases,” author, Boston Bar Journal (June 2019)
• “Conflicts of Interest in Complex Commercial Litigation,” moderator, Massachusetts Bar Association CLE (May 2019)
• “Bankruptcy Ruling Reminds Corp. Counsel to Mind Rule 1.13,” co-author, Law360 (Feb. 2019)
• “The Attorney-Client Relationship 101,” co-author, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (Dec. 2018)
• “How to Withdraw From Representation Ethically in Mass,” co-author, Law360 (May 2018)
• “Corporate Counsel and Duties Beyond the Client,” co-author, Law 360 and National Law Review (Jan. 2018)
• “Duties to Non-Client Third Parties,” speaker, Boston Bar Association (Oct. 2017)
• “Practicing with Professionalism,” speaker, Massachusetts Bar Association CLE (2016-2017)
• “Is the ‘Hot Potato Doctrine’ Now Applicable in Massachusetts?,” co-author, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (July 2016)
• “Email Pitfalls in Business Transactions”, author, National Law Review (Nov. 2015)
• “Litigation Practice and Strategy: What Every Civil Litigator Should Know,” panelist, Boston Bar Association CLE (Feb. 2015)
• “Discovery Disputes,” panelist, Boston Bar Association CLE (Feb. 2014)

• Representing lawyers and law firms on legal malpractice claims arising from underlying representation in all areas of law, including but not limited to, patent and intellectual property, real estate, probate and construction.
• Defending lawyers in disciplinary investigations before the Board of Bar Overseers and Single Justice.
• Authored amicus brief on behalf of NAIOP Massachusetts, Real Estate Bar Association, and the Abstract Club, in landmark SJC decision in Sudbury v. MBTA, holding that the prior public use doctrine is inapplicable when land owned by a public entity is conveyed to a private entity for a different use.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of landlord on a claim by tenant arising from a roof collapse.
• Obtained dismissal of Chapter 21E (hazardous materials) claims against national retailer.
• Obtained summary judgment for doctors on non-compete claims brought by former medical practice.
• Represented solar developer in zoning appeal dispute concerning easement on private property.
• Represented Aviation company in Chapter 30A wetlands permit the appeal to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
• Represented hedge funds and their investment manager in claims against funds’ former third party administrator.
• Represented Town in an appeal to the Massachusetts Housing Appeals Committee, appealing decision of Chapter 40B housing
• Jury and bench trial experience on broker dispute, legal malpractice, unfair claims handling and contract disputes.

• Massachusetts Bar Association, Chair, Complex Commercial Litigation Section Council

•  2023-2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America^®
• Listed as Rising Star by Massachusetts Super Lawyers
• Included in 2019 Benchmark Litigation 40 and Under Hot List
• Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Excellence in the Law “Up and Coming Lawyer” (2016)
• The National Law Tribune Boston Rising Star (2015)
• The PAIR Project Pro Bono Asylum Attorney of the Year Award (2015)
• The Massachusetts Bar Association Volunteer Recognition Award (2010)
• “Top Women in the Law” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly in 2021