Testimonials

"Judge Kelly was relentless in her efforts to settle a multiparty and very difficult case. I did not have any faith that any mediator would be successful. Following the conclusion of the mediation, Judge Kelly continued her efforts over several days, and was able to get a complicated deal with many moving parts done."

"If you want to get a case settled, use her. She’ll get it done. She will do everything she possibly can to get it done. … She just kind of makes it her mission, and she’s just dogged in getting to resolution."

"These were decades-old businesses that in the blink of an eye were destroyed, and it was the livelihood for generations of this family that was completely wiped out by this fire. And she really communicated a lot of empathy and understanding for my clients and all that they’d lost."

"In the cases that I do – where my clients are typically fired or the quit under less-than-ideal circumstances – it is a very personal dispute for them. In these few occasions where I’ve worked with Judge Kelly, she was very patient and kind and empathetic to my clients. … And I find in these types of cases, that approach of actually caring about the people and parties involved goes a long, long way."

"She strikes a good balance between being empathetic and strong."

"The parties had very divergent opinions about liability and damages, but Judge Kelly really worked through the hard part of the mediation and kept everybody talking. … And we were able to get a case that didn’t seem like it was going to resolve all the way to the finish line that day. And that was very much a function of the work she was putting in with each of the attorneys and each of the parties to get everyone to understand each other’s positions and to get everybody to compromise."

"She’d already spoken to everybody about the issues in the case and knew what the sticking points were, and as a result, when the case really got sticky and was hitting those road bumps along the course of the day in the mediation, we were able to get over them."

"Judge Kathleen Kelly was outstanding. As an attorney, I am very selective about the mediators I use, especially when considering someone new. After working with Judge Kelly at ADR Services, Inc., I am incredibly glad I did. This was a highly complex case involving multiple plaintiffs and defendants, as well as several subrogation parties, with no strong likelihood of resolution. Judge Kelly came thoroughly prepared and knew the facts and law inside and out. Even before the mediation day, Judge Kelly did all of her “homework” and even asked for additional information if it wasn’t provided. Her extensive communications with the parties established our trust and eliminated any “element of surprise” positioning the case optimally for resolution. On mediation day, Judge Kelly was not only knowledgeable and effective, but also genuinely empathetic, authentic, and deeply committed to helping the parties reach resolution. She effectively managed the day, focusing intently on resolving the case by constantly communicating with all the decision makers and tenaciously working to move each side toward agreement. She worked tirelessly, managed a challenging group of personalities and interests with skill, and ultimately resolved a case that seemed unlikely to settle. I would highly recommend Judge Kathleen Kelly as a mediator. With Judge Kelly, your case is in excellent hands."

"Judge Kelly was very sensitively to our clients and their needs. She worked hard to track and communicate each parties’ positions and steadily moved to a resolution that each party and their clients, understood and supported. It was a pleasure meeting her and I too hope we have the opportunity to work with her again."

"We had a great experience with Judge Kelly. I would absolutely recommend her. She was completely trustworthy, which is the first hurdle to overcome in mediation. She listened to our clients and showed empathy for what they had been through. It was clear that she was willing to do everything she could to bring the cases to settlement, without violating confidences, and with a pleasant, friendly demeanor. She was excellent at keeping us focused, making sure we did not let emotions get in the way of the job we needed to do. I would use her again in a heartbeat."

"I would also like to express my appreciation for the efficient, effective, and enjoyable day delivered by the honorable Judge Kelly during our recent mediation. Judge Kelly was one of the most effective mediators I have encountered in a long time. Judge Kelly was very sensitive to our clients and their needs. She worked hard to track and communicate each parties’ positions and steadily moved to a resolution that each party and their clients, understood and supported. It was a pleasure meeting her and I too hope we have the opportunity to work with her again."

"Judge Kelly stands out as one of the most respected members of the bench. Attorneys on both sides of the aisle acknowledge her sharp mind, sound judgment and genuine fairness. She listens carefully, weighs every perspective with genuine thoughtfulness and approaches her work with both reason and compassion. Above all, Judge Kelly treats everyone with respect and dignity which only enhances her effectiveness."

“The mediation with Judge Kelly went very well. She was exceptionally considerate and dedicated to the process. I particularly valued the pre-mediation call and her thorough follow-up.”

“Judge Kelly did a fantastic job mediating the case. We reached a settlement during mediation. One of the things that Judge Kelly did that set her apart from other Zoom-era mediators is that she kept everyone logged in until we had a signed settlement agreement. Too often there is a long delay between the end of a virtual mediation and getting a signed settlement agreement, as mediators often do not push for signing a settlement at virtual mediation like they do with in person meditation.”