Practice Areas: Health Care, Business & Corporate, Technology Transactions; view more
Licensed in South Carolina since: 2004
Education: University of South Carolina School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2012 - 2014 Details
Kelly M. Jolley, a managing partner and founder of Jolley Law Group, established in 2013, is based in Hilton Head and Columbia, South Carolina. With a profound understanding of the healthcare industry, she has dedicated her practice to providing counsel to healthcare clients and technology vendors. Her focus areas include corporate compliance standards, best practices, and corporate governance matters. She advises on the potential collateral consequences of business decisions, ensuring her clients navigate complex legal landscapes effectively.
Kelly's practice focuses on corporate, transactional, and contentious matters in the healthcare sector. When not advising providers, companies, and boards with transactions, Kelly serves as counsel to several healthcare and technology companies and associations. Kelly is certified by the South Carolina Bar as both a mediator and arbitrator.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Ms. Jolley is an active member of the South Carolina Bar. She is a former president of the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association, Chair of the South Carolina Bar Health Care Law Section Council, and practice group leader for the American Health Law Association. She is also a member of the Hilton Head Island Bar Association and the American Bar Association. The American Bar Foundation, where she has been a fellow since 2014, has recognized her contributions to the legal field.
Kelly is currently ranked in Chambers for healthcare law. Her dedication to her clients has been recognized with a peer-review rating of AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell. Furthermore, her excellent track record has fetched her a perfect 10.0 rating on Avvo.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Health Care, Business/Corporate, Technology TransactionsFocus areas
Business Formation and Planning, Business Organizations, Contracts, Health & Health Care Law, Hospital Law, Internet, Limited Liability Companies, Nursing Home, Partnership, Science and Technology Law, Social Security, Sub-chapter S Corporations
- 60% Health Care
- 20% Business/Corporate
- 20% Technology Transactions
First Admitted: 2004, South Carolina
Professional Webpage: https://jolleylawgroup.com/who-we-are/kelly-jolley/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Certified Mediator, South Carolina, 2021
- Certified Arbitrator, South Carolina , 2019
- American Health Lawyers Association, Health and Information Technology Practice Group, ACO Task Force, former Vice-Chair of Liability and Litigation Practice Group
- South Carolina Women Lawyers Association, President (2016), President-Elect (2015), Treasurer (2014), Secretary (2013), Board of Directors (2008-Present), Sea Islands Regional Representative (2006-2009)
- South Carolina Bar Health Law Section Council, Past-Chair (2015), Chair (2013-2014), Chair-Elect (2012-2013), Council (2010-Present)
- National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), Lowcountry Board of Directors (2014-Present)
- House of Delegates for the South Carolina Bar, 2014
- The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Hilton Head Bar Association
- American Bar Association - Health Law, Dispute Resolution, Law Practice
- The United States Supreme Court
- State Bar of South Carolina, 2004
Representative Clients:
- Lexington Medical Center - Represented Lexington Medical Center in contesting a Certificate of Public Advantage the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control had given Prisma Midlands, 2021
- Sandhills Medical Foundation, Inc. - federally qualified health center , 2024
- Represented Laura Segel, one of many beneficiaries in an estate dispute and successfully removed the personal representative for malfeasance and resolved the case after more than eleven years of controversy. I was not the first counsel; I was brought in to handle the initial interlocutory appeal, which my client won, and then took over the lead of the case on remand., 2015
- Colonial Trust Company - represent institutional trustee in several trust administration disputes, 2022
- Eau Claire Cooperative Health, Inc. - Act as outside general counsel to South Carolina's largest federally qualified health center
Transactions:
- Formation of several medical practices, therapy practices, and concierge practices. , 2023
- Negotiated sale of imaging center to expanding hospital system. , 2023
- Handled complex sale of a physician practice to a national practice utilizing venture capital funding, a multiyear management agreement, and a stock exchange. , 2023
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- South Carolina , 2004
- Certified Arbitrator, South Carolina, 2019
- U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina , 2005
- U.S. Supreme Court , 2008
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2009
Pro bono/Community Service:
- South Carolina Legal Services, Director , 2022
- St. Francis Catholic School, School Advisory Committee, 2020
Honors/Awards:
- Health Care Law; Privacy and Data Security Law 2019-2022, Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers In America, 2022
- SuperLawyer Rising Star, 2012-2014, Rising Star in Health Care Law, SuperLawyers, 2012
- SuperLawyers in healthcare law, 2015-2022, Super Layer in Health Care Law, SuperLawyers, 2022
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2014-Present
- AV Preeminent® by by Martindale Hubbell
Educational Background:
- University of South Carolina-Columbia, cum laude from the Honors College, University Scholar, Chi Omega; Mortar Board; Omicron Delta Kappa; Gamecock newspaper; Garnet and Black magazine, 1998, 1998
- University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, SC J.D., cum laude, 2004 Honors: Hoeffer-Toal Scholarship Order of the Coif; Order of the Wig and Robe CALI Award for Health Care Law CALI Award for Agency, Partnerships and LLCs Activities: SOUTH CAROLINA LAW REVIEW, Articles Editor Student Member Faculty Selection Committee Health Law Society, Vice-President Phi Delta Phi University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA August 1998 – May 2001 August 2010 – Present MA coursework and Ethics Examination required for PhD program; Areas of Specialization: Bioethics, Ethics, Ancient Philosophy Honors: Dupont Fellowship Corcoran Department of Philosophy Librarianship Courses Taught: T.A. – Free Will and Moral Responsibility with Prof. James Thomas T.A. – Philosophy of Law with Prof. John Simmons Papers Presented: University of Virginia Interdisciplinary Graduate Student Conference University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC B.A. cum laude, with Honors from South Carolina Honors College, 1998 Major: Philosophy Minor: English, Pre-Medicine Honors: University Scholar 1998 S.C. Philosophy Association Undergraduate Writing Award 1995 S.C. Cancer Center Research Fellowship 1994 Teacher Cadet Scholarship Activities: Mortar Board, Vice-President Chi Omega Sorority, Treasurer & Personnel Omicron Delta Kappa Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 2004
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- South Carolina Nursing Home Law. South Carolina Ombudsman Program Annual Meeting, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (August 2005)
- SCHIEx Governance. South Carolina Health Information Exchange Train-the-Trainer Session, Columbia, South Carolina (January 26, 2011)
- The Stark Law: The Physician Perspective. South Carolina Healthcare Managers Association, Lexington Chapter Meeting, Lexington, South Carolina (October 15, 2009)
- The Stark Law: The Physician Perspective. South Eastern Radiology Practice Managers Association, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (June 5, 2009)
- The New HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules Are Here: What Do You Need To Know? SC DHHS Health Information Technology (HIT) Summit of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (August 27, 2009)
- The SC Health Information Exchange and Interim Governance Committee SC DHHS Health Information Technology (HIT) Summit of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (November 16, 2009)
- The New HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules Are Here: What Do You Need To Know? South Carolina Medical Group Management Association Meeting, Columbia, South Carolina (February 16, 2010)
- The New HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules Are Here: What Do You Need To Know? Electronic Health Records (EHR): Moving Toward Meaningful Use – Upstate AHEC Seminar, Greenville, South Carolina (September 17, 2010)
- Privacy, Security, and EHRs: What Do You Need To Know? Electronic Health Records (EHR): Moving Toward Meaningful Use – Midlands AHEC Seminar, Camden, South Carolina (October 13, 2010)
- Privacy, Security, and EHRs: What Do You Need To Know? Electronic Health Records (EHR): Moving Toward Meaningful Use – Pee Dee AHEC Seminar, Florence, South Carolina (November 5, 2010)
- SCHIEx Business Associate and Participant Agreements. SC DHHS Health Information Technology (HIT) Summit of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina (November 18, 2010)
- Electronic Health Record Privacy and Security. Electronic Health Records (EHR): Moving Toward Meaningful Use – Lowcountry AHEC Seminar, Hardeeville, South Carolina (November 19, 2010)
- The HITECH Act. Health Law Section Seminar – South Carolina Bar Convention, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (January 21, 2010)
- The Mountain Guide to SCHIEx. South Carolina Hospital Association STEEEP Summit: The Trek with HIT, Columbia, South Carolina (January 25, 2011)
- Kelly M. Jolley and Lindy L. Gunderson. Data Breach Liability and Notification: What Do You Need To Know? South Carolina Lawyer (November 2015). Kelly Jolley. Business Associates in the Post-Omnibus Rule World: Guidelines for HIPAA/HITECH Compliance. HIT NEWs (April 2014). Kelly M. Jolley. Accountable Care Organizations: Quality, Cost and Risk. American Health Lawyers Association Healthcare Liability & Litigation (April 2011). Kelly M. Jolley. HIPAA, HITECH and EHRs: How Do Providers Protect Patient Privacy in the Era of Electronic Patient Records? The Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association (July 2010). Kelly Jolley. U.S. Government’s Prosecution of Alleged Stark Violations Under False Claims Act Results In Split Verdict. American Health Lawyers Association Healthcare Liability & Litigation (June 2010). Kelly M. Jolley. Reliance on Professional Opinions, Fair Market Value Compensation, and Commercial Reasonability of Physician Contracts Prime Issues in U.S. Government’s Prosecution of Alleged Stark Law Violations. Health Briefs E-Newsletter, American Health Lawyers Association Liability and Litigation Practice Group (March 23, 2010). Kelly M. Jolley and Kathleen G. Chewning. The New HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules Are Here: What Do Your Clients Need To Know? South Carolina Lawyer (March 2010). Kelly Jolley and Kathleen Chewning. HHS Interim Rule on Civil Monetary Penalties for HIPAA Violations. Health Briefs E-Newsletter, American Health Lawyers Association Liability and Litigation Practice Group (November 11, 2009). Kelly McPherson Jolley and Jane W. Trinkley. HIPAA: A Roadmap to Disclosure. 19 South Carolina Lawyer 4 (February 1, 2008). Kelly McPherson Jolley. Ethics 2000; An Overview for Lawyers. 9 The Young Lawyer 7 (2005). Kelly McPherson Jolley and Robin Fretwell Wilson. Two Bites at the Apple: Holding Physician Practices Directly Liable for Medical Malpractice. 59 Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association, 164-66 (2004). Kelly McPherson Jolley. Patenting Technology Instead of Identity: A Review of David Resnik’s Owning the Genome. 32 Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics (2004). Kelly M. Jolley, Note, Simmons v. Tuomey Regional Medical Center and Osborne v. Adams: Expanding or Limiting Patients’ Access to Quality Care? 54 S.C. L. Rev. 519 (2002).
- Medicare Update. S.C. Bar Pro Bono Presentation, Burton, South Carolina (February 16, 2011)
- Protecting Patient Privacy in the Information Age. Live Webinar for Upstate AHEC, Greenville, South Carolina (March 17, 2011)
- Health Information Exchange. American Health Lawyers Association/Health Care Compliance Association Fraud and Compliance Forum, Baltimore, Maryland (September 26, 2011)
- Top 10 Issues in Health Care for 2012. South Carolina Hospital Association CFO Forum. (August 29, 2012)
- The Future of the Electronic Health Record and Its Potential Impact on the Life Insurance Industry. American Council of Life Insurers Medical Section CME Meeting (February 26, 2012)
- Protecting Patient Privacy in the Information Age – An Update. Upstate AHEC Webinar (September 12, 2013)
- What Does Hiring an Employee Mean Right Now? Planning for the ACA and the Costs of Growth. Association for Corporate Counsel South Carolina Chapter (September 23, 2013)
- Business Associates in the Post-Omnibus Rule World: Guidelines for HIPAA/HITECH Compliance. South Carolina Bar Health Care Law Section CLE: Hot Topics, Tips & Emerging Trends (May 9, 2014)
- Affordable Care Act Update. South Carolina Bar Health Care Law Section CLE: Hot Topics in South Carolina Health Care Law (May 1, 2015)
- Articles Editor South Carolina Law Review, University of South Carolina School of Law
Industry Groups:
- Health Care
- Information Technology
- Privacy
Selections
11 Years Super Lawyers
3 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2012 - 2014
