Kelly Wilson has a unique perspective and valuable insights regarding the ins and outs of state and federal court. It comes from her work at JLC, the years she spent as a judicial clerk, her work as an Assistant General Counsel for the University of Houston and the variety of experiences she engaged in as a law student.  

While at JLC, Kelly has represented clients in a variety of state, federal, and administrative matters. Kelly has first-chaired several bench trials, argued motions for summary judgment, negotiated settlements, and taken and defended depositions. Kelly is efficient, thorough, and detail-oriented, and understands the importance of being an effective advocate at all stages of the litigation process. These skills allow Kelly to effectively manage her cases and ascertain the best strategy to succeed for her clients.  

Prior to working for JLC, Kelly completed a two-year clerkship for United States Magistrate Judge Nancy K. Johnson in the Southern District of Texas in Houston, where she analyzed motions, drafted opinions, and conducted research on a wide range of legal issues.  Kelly was able to learn the ins and outs of federal court and procedure, which she applies to her law practice today. Kelly also worked for the University of Houston, where she worked on a variety of legal issues in the areas of employment, civil rights, constitutional law, contracts, and athletics. She also drafted and provided legal review of university policies. During her time at UT Law, Kelly worked for federal and state governmental agencies and completed judicial internships at the state and federal level. She also participated in the Legislative Lawyering and Entrepreneurship and Community Development clinics, where she helped counsel clients on a wide array of business, finance, and policy issues. Kelly was published in and an editorial board member of the Texas International Law Journal, recognizing her passion for writing as well as her tenacious researching skills. Both of those attributes have found a welcoming home at Jordan, Lynch & Cancienne.  

Kelly has also engaged in pro bono work in immigration and housing. When not practicing law, Kelly is involved in various arts organizations in Houston, including formerly serving on the board of the Catastrophic Theatre.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Commercial Disputes 

  • Represented company in recovering funds that were stolen from its escrow accounts by an employee of its agent. 
  • Defended software company in contract dispute with a former client which resulted in a favorable settlement. 
  • Represented company in lawsuit against filter suppliers and manufacturers who supplied defective filters which caused a plant shutdown, resulting in a favorable settlement. 

 Property Disputes 

  • Represented chemical company in a water rights dispute in front of the State Office of Administrative Hearings. 
  • Represented property owner in state and federal court related to the conversion, trespass, and theft of its property and storage tank. 
  • Defended homeowner in nuisance lawsuit which resulted in a reasonable settlement. 
  • Defended oil and gas company from spill claims brought by the surface owner. 

 Construction Disputes 

  • Represented chemical company in litigation related to a construction dispute at its facility; assisted in summary judgment motion which dismissed the case against the chemical company. 
  • Assisted with negotiating a settlement for a homeowner against builder for faulty construction. 

 Insurance/Personal Injury 

  • Defended personal injury claims pursuant to insurance company’s duty to defend, including first and third-party claims, in Texas state courts. 
  • Evaluated insured coverage and defended insurance company in coverage disputes. 

 Corporate Counseling 

  • Advised 501(c)(3) corporation on contractual and risk management matters. 
  • Provided counsel to steel corporation on property, contract, and intellectual property issues. 

 Landlord/Tenant 

  • Successfully prevented a wrongful eviction of a client on housing assistance. 
EDUCATION
  • The University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 2016
    • Honors and Activities:
      • Dean’s Achievement Award: Outstanding Student in Property
      • Texas International Law Journal, Editorial Board; Editorial Board Member of the Year (2015-2016)
      • Clinics: Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic; Legislative Lawyering Clinic
      • Law Students for the Arts, Board Member
  • Sotheby’s Institute of Art, New York, New York, M.A. in Art Business, 2013
    • Thesis: “The Rise of Brazil’s Artists in the International Art World”
  • Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, B.A. in Anthropology, History of Art, Minor in International Politics, 2011
    • Honors and Activities:
      • Dean’s List
      • Order of Omega Greek Honor Society
PAST EXPERIENCE
  • Judicial Law Clerk for The Honorable Nancy K. Johnson, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Southern District of Texas, Houston, TX (2016-2018)
  • Assistant General Counsel for the University of Houston System, Office of General Counsel (2022-2023)
COURT ADMISSIONS
  • State Bar of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
HONORS & AWARDS
  • Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2022

PUBLICATIONS & SPEECHES
  • “Community Land Trusts,” Houston Bar Association CLE Webinar, July 24, 2020 (with Nina Culotta)
  • “The Problem of Auction Houses and Illicit Antiquities: A Call for a Holistic Solution,” published in Volume 51, Issue 3 of the Texas International Law Journal
PRO BONO/COMMUNITY
  • Houston Bar Association
  • HBA Gender Fairness Committee
  • Houston Association of Women Attorneys
  • Houston Young Lawyers Association
  • Catastrophic Theatre, Board of Directors (2020-2022)