Practice areas: Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in Texas since: 2002
Education: Pennsylvania State University The Dickinson School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2011 - 2012, 2014 - 2025 Call today:
737-343-7284
Free Consultation Lonestar Legal
205 E University AveSuite 402
Georgetown, TX 78626 Visit website
Details
At Kelly Law Firm | Lonestar Legal in Georgetown, Texas, L. Todd Kelly holds board certification in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and possesses an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell. His practice area encompasses commercial trucking, personal injury, animal bites, accidents, workplace injury, offshore incidents, sexual assault, human trafficking and oil field injuries.
Licensed across Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado and Pennsylvania, Mr. Kelly's remarkable journey includes being inducted into the Texas Lawyer Hall of Fame in 2013 following a landmark $16.9 million verdict for a mentally handicapped woman who was assaulted by a caregiver. A committed advocate for the right to trial by jury, he serves on the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Executive Committee of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and is a past president of the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association.
Raised in Arlington, Texas, Mr. Kelly pursued his bachelor's degree at the University of Texas in 1987 on an ROTC Scholarship and earned his Juris Doctor from the Dickinson School of Law in 1995 as a member of the Woolsack Honor Society. His early career was marked by service as a U.S. Marine and later as a criminal defense attorney in the judge advocate’s corps.
Dedicated to making America safer, Mr. Kelly transitioned from military service to private practice in 1998 after reaching the rank of Major. His focus included representing asbestos exposure victims and those seriously injured in Virginia and Pennsylvania before returning to Texas in 2002 to advocate for victims of birth injury and nursing home abuse.
By 2006, Mr. Kelly established his own law firm in Houston, Texas, gaining acclaim for representing victims of sexual assault by overseas military contractors. His proficiency has been highlighted on platforms such as 20/20 and The Rachel Maddow Show, and he has shared insights on legal matters with CBS' Inside Edition and various other news programs.
In 2009, Mr. Kelly also appeared before U.S. Congressional committees to discuss the Fairness in Arbitration Act, contributing to the push against mandatory arbitration in consumer contracts. His collaboration with Senator Al Franken led to a significant legislative change, ending forced arbitration for sexual assault victims employed by most military contractors.
*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
Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Animal Bites, Assault, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Dram Shop Laws, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Toxic Mold, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 100% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1995, Virginia
Professional Webpage: https://www.lonestarlegal.com/todd-kelly
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Former Chairman of the Advisory Board: Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Central Texas
- Founding Member, Amour Center and Safe House
- Board Member, Reset Mentoring
- Board Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, 2015
- Colorado, 2021
- New Mexico, 2020
- TTLA PAC Chair, 2023
- Faculty - The Trial Lawyers' College, 2022
- Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys - Advocate Member, 2021
- Colorado Supreme Court, 2021
- Calvert Inn of Court, American Inns of Court, 2020
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC - Chair, 2020
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association: Vice President of Political Affairs, 2020
- Capital Area Trial Lawyers' Association - President, 2020
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, 2019
- Capital Area Trial Lawyer's Association: President-Elect, 2019
- National Crime Victims Bar Association - Member, 2017
- American Board of Trial Advocacy, 2016
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015
- College of the State Bar of Texas, Member, 2014
- Austin Bar Association: Member
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 1998
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2001
- Pennsylvania, 2001
- Virginia, 1995
- Houston Trial Lawyers Association: Former Member
- Oklahoma, 2010
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocate's Forum: Lifetime Member, 2005
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum: Lifetime Member, 2004
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, 1995
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 2007
- U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 2008
- State Bar of Texas: Former Member
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 2007
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
- F-Warriors: Regional Representative and Board Member
- Texas, 2002
- Fort Bend County Bar Association: Former Member
- American Association of Justice: Member
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Coronado v. Rogers: $13,109,649.50 Verdict for a child victim of a dog bite in Dallas County, Texas, 2024
- Ramsay v. Villareal, et al. $250,000 settlement on a $30,000 policy. Indivisible Injury automobile collisions with two exacerbations of a pre-existing mTBI. Driver of first crash was in default and not likely to be at trial. Second driver was insured by only a $30,000 policy. Stowers demand was rejected and second carrier paid $250,000 on the eve of trial, 2024
- Martinez v. Springhill Suites by Marriott, et al. $500,000 Settlement for a hotel guest after the manager's dog attacked her at the hotel, 2024
- $20,000,000 Verdict for a sexual assault victim in Bexar County, Texas, 2024
- Lionel Rios v. Tyler Dale Lake et al. $495,000 Settlement for a commercial trucking case with no injuries reported at the scene, 2024
- $250,000 settlement for a car crash victim whose injuries were enhanced by a history of alcoholism, and who was accused by the defendant of being drunk at the scene and cutting him off, 2024
- Miller v. RRH Trucking. $195,000 verdict in Williamson County, Texas on approximately $20,000 in medical bills., 2023
- $300,000 Settlement for a 14 year old boy burned when he and his friend put gasoline on the embers of a family camp fire after the adults had gone to bed, 2023
- Espinoza v. Martinez: $250,000 Settlement for a man who's shoulder was injured in an automobile crash, 2023
- Victim v. Apartment Complex: $2,250,000 Settlement for a woman assaulted by an intoxicated guest at an apartment complex, 2023
- Hudson Davis v. Thomas Jackson, IV, et al: $1,109,498.33 verdict in the Western District of Texas (Federal Trial) for a car crash in Belton, Texas - following a 5 day jury trial., 2023
- Dixon v. Confidential Trucking Co. Inc. et al.: $2,000,000 Settlement for a commercial driver injured when another commercial driver hit his stationary truck at a truck stop. Plaintiff had recently returned to driving after a crash that required back surgery, and the fall re-injured him to the point of permanent disability. Pre-existing conditions and low speed (less than 5mph) were the primary defenses, 2022
- $1,995,000 Settlement for a woman injured by a truck driver on his cell phone when he rear-ended her, resulting in a mild traumatic brain injury, which exacerbated pre-existing neurologic conditions, 2022
- $2,500,000 Settlement for a man injured in a commercial trucking crash after the driver initially refused to admit liability. Party names are confidential, by agreement., 2021
- Webster v. P&D Transport, et al. $1,150,000.00 settlement for a woman injured by a commercial driver who was on his cell phone while operating a commercial truck. Driver had logged that he was actually in his sleeper berth at the time of the crash. Policy of $1,000,000 had been depleted by another injured party, who was paid more than half of that policy. Bad faith on the part of the insurer led to an excess settlement of this case, 2021
- $850,000 mediated settlement on a $30,000 insurance policy in an automobile collision case resulting in a traumatic brain injury. Name of Insurer and Location are Confidential, 2020
- Daniel Reyna v. Thomas M. Demoor: $1,000,000 settlement for a man who suffered back injuries and a traumatic brain injury in an auto crash, 2020
- Claxton v. Even Better Logistics, et al. Jury verdict of $7,396,000.00 after the defendants final offer was $150,000. Case involved a commercial truck hitting a bridge and sending debris through Ronnie Claxton's windshield, causing serious injury. Ronnie was 72 years old at the time, with significant degenerative spine conditions that were aggravated by the crash., 2020
- Confidential Settlement for 3 victims of medical neglect when a surgeon had his privileges revoked for abuse of narcotics., 2019
- Confidential Settlement for a paraplegic patient sexually assaulted by a home health provider, 2019
- Confidential Settlement Amount for 3 victims of sexual abuse and manipulation by clergyman Terry Knighten after evidence of his grooming and manipulation of these parishioners was brought forward., 2019
- Hill & Mitchell v. Texas Tires, Inc. Settlement for $295,000 resulting from an assault and battery by the owners of Texas Tires, Inc. #30., 2019
- Kloc v. Harmon: Settlement for $350,000 policy limits following the selection of a jury after State Farm's pre-trial offer was $17,000., 2019
- Tommy Caram v. Dustin James Hollier: $100,000 policy limits settlement for a DWI auto collision which left the client with significant injuries and the defendant was killed at the scene, 2019
- Delozier v. NL Austin MHP, Inc., et al. $140,000 Settlement just prior to closing arguments for a victim of a dog attack against a mobile home park that failed to enforce its breed restriction rules, and permitting the fence to become in disrepair, 2018
- Thompson v. Matthews: Settlement for $100,000 policy limits in this vehicle v. pedestrian wrongful death case, 2018
- Katz v. Villareal: Settlement of just over $440,000 for a family of 4 injured by a drunk driver in Williamson County, Texas, 2018
- George White (Dec) v. United States: $200,000 settlement for the wrongful death of an elderly veteran who contracted Legionnaires disease from the water at Darnall VA Medical Center, 2018
- Herrera v. Austin Cab Co and Sherman Wilkins: $1,020,000.00 Jury Verdict for a stabbing victim after a cab company put a driver behind the wheel with a history of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, robbery, and larceny. The driver was later seen on video using the victim's credit cards and had swiped the card six times on his Square device for $149.50 each -the amount he tried to charge the victim, thinking his intoxication level would prevent him from noticing, 2018
- Estate of Kylar Cole Johnson, et al v. Manuel "Manny" Garcia, et al; $5,015,000 Verdict for the family of a 4 year old boy mauled to death by a pit bull. Verdict included $3,000,000 in punitive damages, 2018
- Harrison v. Amigon Trucking, et al. Cause No. 2015-10013 in the 270th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas: $1,000,000 policy limits settlement for a UPS driver who suffered a traumatic brain injury when an 18-wheeler attempted to pass on the left as he was making a left turn, 2017
- Gable v. Killeen I.S.D. - Mediated settlement for $225,000 for a girl and her family who was sexually harassed and assaulted by classmates and whose complaints to the school official went ignored. Then her family was placed under CPS investigation (cleared) and she was then erroneously charged with a felony (cleared) in retaliation by the school officials., 2017
- Jeffrey Martinez, et. al. v. Chris Riley, et al. - $500,000 policy limits settlement for 7 passengers in a boat that was hit by a drunk boater on Lake Austin over the 4th of July weekend in 2015, 2017
- --Confidential settlement for a man who was drugged and raped by a co-worker who had called him to his house to discuss the projects that were set out for the next day., 2017
- Bennett v. Bauer: $241,000.00 Presuit settlement for a dog bite victim in Williamson County, Texas. Plaintiff was jogging in his neighborhood when a neighbor's pit bull attacked and pit him, causing injuries to his lower torso., 2016
- M.L. v. Burrus Trucking and Vondell Elliott: VERDICT of $410,200 for a back seat passenger of a vehicle, injured when the 18-Wheeler cut into the lane his vehicle was traveling. Pretrial offer had been $1,500, 2016
- Zobeida Rivera-Roan v. Greater Austin Transportation Company (Yellow Cab): $399,999.00 Settlement for the wrongful death of a 72-year old woman hit in a crosswalk and killed by a Yellow Cab Driver in Austin, Texas. GATC claimed independent contractor of driver and argued limited coverage of $100,000. Case resolved after mediation. , 2016
- Collier v. Claires Boutique: $350,000 mediated settlement for a slip and fall case outside a Claire's Boutique. Case involved prior injuries and subsequent falls, complicating recovery, 2016
- Luther Evans and Jaida Evans as next friends of J.E., a Minor v. The United States of America: $325,000 mediated Settlement for a minor child who suffered an Erb's Palsy following a shoulder dystocia during a delivery by a midwife at Darnall Army Medical Center. The U.S.A. had filed a motion to dismiss under the "emergency medicine" doctrine of Ch. 74 of the Texas CPRC at the time of mediation., 2016
- Crawford v. Loomis Armored, LLC et al: $846,000 verdict for a car wreck victim hit from behind by a Loomis Armored Car driver who was distracted by eating while driving. Verdict included $5,000 in punitive damages against the individual driver after a final pre-trial settlement offer of $350,000., 2016
- Camese v. Harden Healthcare: Arbitrated award for an employee injured lifting a patient when the nursing home failed to have adequate equipment (Hoyer lifts). Awarded 194,601.29 after contested arbitration, 2016
- Thomas v. Motel 6: Settlement for a woman who was assaulted when the motel desk clerk gave a key to her assailant, a man who was not registered to be in that room, 2016
- Fletcher v. Lowery. $600,000 settlement in a slip and fall case at a homeowner's property resulting in a torn meniscus and broken ankle that developed into Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome. Homeowner had covered cracked and uneven pavers with a bar mat at his converted garage dubbed "The Shack," concealing the uneven surface below. $100,000 policy was demanded and rejected, invoking the Stowers Doctrine. Mediated settlement after discovery, 2015
- Verdict of $345,000 (including $150,000 in Exemplary Damages). In the 199th District Court of Collin County, Texas. Verdict for a 9 1/2 year old girl who had an adult tooth extracted instead of her baby tooth when the dentist failed to obtain adequate X-rays before pulling the teeth, 2015
- Daniels v. Katy Martial Arts & Fitness, et al. Verdict of $800,000 for a 14-year old student of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who was in his third day of classes when the Sensei instructed another student to "Choke Him Out." Loss of Consciousness resulted in about $6,000 of medical bills with no permanent damage. Jury awarded $550,000 in punitive damages against the school and the Sensei. Last pre-trial offer was $10,000., 2015
- Rios v. Newstrom: Verdict in Travis County, Texas for a woman injured in a vehicle collision. Verdict was seven times the last offer before trial, 2014
- Jazmine Powell v. STS Trucking: six-figure settlement for a girl who rear-ended a parked semi when the semi was sticking out into the lane of traffic and the driver of the truck failed to set out cones and flares as required by the NHTSA and trucking regulations in Texas, 2014
- Jones v. Hillis, Sokolnik, et al. $575,000 settlement for a Travis County mail carrier involved in two motor vehicle collisions with significant pre-existing injury and prior surgery to the injured areas, 2014
- Bradley Grant v. Parsons Roofing, Inc: Settlement of $310,000 for a man who fell through a hole left in the roofing and concealed by waterproofing material. Broke his hip and required surgery. Unable to work until the settlement permitted him to retrain to another position, 2014
- Riojas v. Pickering: Settlement in Excess of policy limits following a Stowers demand and mediation for a DWI defendant who caused the client's injuries, 2014
- Asay v. The Ranch, LLC and Bob Woody. Unanimous Verdict for man injured by a falling Longhorn Head in the amount of $589,923.66, 2014
- Rebecca Brown v. Paul Thomas Brown: Defendant hit the Plaintiff, who was riding her bicycle and ran over the Plaintiff's foot while leaving a restaurant on Barton Springs Road in Austin. Settled for Policy Limits after negotiations., 2014
- Brooks v. Casteneda: $130,000 for a woman who fell down the stairs in her daughter's apartment. The railing broke loose and she fell to the bottom. Daughter had complained about the loose railing less than a month prior. Maintenance personnel had "repaired" the railing by securing it to sheetrock., 2014
- Hernandez v. Fiesta Mart: $80,000 for a man who slipped on unseen water near a flower display on February 12th (two days before Valentines Day). He had recovered from his injuries, but lost significant income during the treatment period. Case resolved after an unsuccessful mediation., 2014
- $16,900,000 verdict for a mentally retarded Down's syndrome client in (Case No. 10CV4133, Marta Cruz as next friend of Marta Liza Grimaldo v. Gabriel Baraka Mwancha, Virginia Onuorah, Chinwendu Judith Onuorah, Vickie Armstrong, St. Jude’s Home, Inc., and St. Jude’s Day Services, 405th District Court of Galveston County, Texas). , 2012
- Luna v. Weddington et al. Verdict for $2,200,000 in a medical malpractice, failure to diagnose case in Harris County, Texas., 2010
- Vick v. Jireh Home, et al. Verdict in Fort Bend County, Texas for $1,500,000 for the wrongful death of an autistic man by asphyxiation when the caretakers used improper restraining techniques., 2008
Videos:
- Biographical Story about Todd, About Todd Kelly, Public Announcement, 2021
- Story about Hotel Security failures leading to rape of a hotel guest., Rodriquez Story, Public Announcement, 2021
- Story about one sexual assault victim., The Anna Mayo Story, Public Announcement, 2021
- Todd Kelly speaking on Traumatic Brain Injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Public Announcement, 2021
- This Case Study is simply a reflection of why most trial lawyers actually try these cases. I have never really understood why we are referred to as "ambulance chasers" or "greedy trial lawyers." Actually - I understand: disinformation is powerful when well-funded industries, like the insurance industry, chooses to mislabel those who would hold them accountable., Why We Do It..., Legal, 2009
Representative Clients:
- Ronnie and Sandra Claxton v. Even Better Logistics, LLC et al.: Verdict of $7,396,314.00 after a final offer of $150,000 for a 72 year-old man injured in a collision when a turnbuckle flew off of a truck that tried to pass under a bridge that was too low for its over-height load, 2020
- Daniel Reyna v. Thomas M. Demoor: $1,000,000 Settlement for a man after prior attorneys had obtained an offer of $150,000. Developed the medical evidence showing that both lumbar and cervical spine were injured in the crash, and that the client had suffered a traumatic brain injury., 2020
- Jose Herrera v. Austin Cab Co., et al. $1,020,000 verdict for a man stabbed by a cab driver. Austin Cab Company had to permanently close as a result of the verdict, 2018
- Jamie Leigh Jones v. Halliburton, et al. First case reported to have defeated Halliburton's oppressive, binding, mandatory, pre-dispute, confidential arbitration clause. Cited by numerous members of Congress as the reason for doing away with such provisions in arbitration. Upheld on appeal at the 5th Circuit, and currently pending a decision regarding en banc review., 2016
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, December 2015
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Celebration Church Campus Safety Team, 2023
- Served as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors of RESET, an organization dedicated to helping teens who have been incarcerated to improve their futures., 2024
- Celebration Dream Team and Celebration Leadership Institute, 2021
- Mentor in the Reset program (for youth who have been in the Texas Juvenile Criminal Justice system), 2019
- Served as the Director of the advisory board to the Austin Area Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 2018
- Served as a mentor for teens who have been involved in the juvenile justice system and are involved in RESET, a group of mentors trying to help then get a fresh start. Organized a group of lawyers and staff in assisting with the construction of the new home for this purpose, 2018
- Carlson Cares Project: Worked on hanging sheetrock and other projects at the Reset Mentoring home - a project for children who have been in the juvenile justice system to get a new start. This home will serve as a launching place for those coming out of detention centers., 2018
- Pro Bono College of the State of Texas, 2006
- Pro Bono College of the State of Texas, 2005
Honors/Awards:
- Voted The Global Directory of Who’s Who Top Lawyer of 2015
- Top 100 US Verdicts
- H Texas Magazine’s “Houston’s Top Lawyers,” in 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2012
- Verdict Search’s “Top Texas Verdicts” by Texas Lawyer in 2011, and twice in 2018
- Top 100 US Verdicts, 2020
- Top 50 Personal Injury US Verdicts, 2020
- Top 10 Verdicts in Texas: 2020
- Three Separate Cases included in the Top 10 Verdicts in Texas: 2022
- Top Lawyers: #1 Settlement in a Sexual Assault Case, 2023
- Top Lawyers: #1 Verdict in a Waco, Texas Personal Injury Case, 2024
- Texas Super Lawyer, A Thomson Reuters Business, 2011-2012, 2014-2024
- Scott Osman Trial Lawyer of the Year - Capital Area Trial Lawyers, 2024
- Honored by Top Verdicts for the #1 Settlement in the State of Texas in 2022 in the area of Rape and Sexual Assault, #1 Settlement Rape/Sexual Assault, Top Verdicts, 2022
- Voted one of Austin's Top Attorneys by peers in the industry, Austin Top Attorneys, Austin Monthly, 2024
- $1,150,000 Settlement in Webster v. P&D Transport, et al, Texas Top Settlements (#23), Top Settlements, 2023
- $2,500,000 Settlement for a victim against a hotel chain and security company. Parties confidential, Texas Top Settlements (#10), Top Settlements, 2023
- $1,995,000 for an auto driver v. a trucking company. Parties are confidential., Texas Top Settlements (#13), Top Settlements, 2023
- Lead Counsel on the 10th largest Settlement acknowledged in Texas in 2021., Top Verdicts in Texas #10, TopVerdict.com, 2021
- Lead Counsel on the 6th largest Settlement acknowledged in Texas in 2021., Top Verdicts in Texas #6, TopVerdict.com, 2021
- Lead Counsel on the 8th largest Settlement acknowledged in Texas in 2021., Top Verdicts in Texas #8, TopVerdict.com, 2021
- Top Texas Lawyers, Texas Monthly, 2021
- Selected by peers, Top Texas Lawyers, Texas Lawyer, 2020
- Rated a "10" by AVVO attorney rating site., Superb Rating, AVVO, 2020
- Selected as one of Austin's Best Attorneys in 2019, Top Attorneys, Austin Monthly, 2019
- Recognized as a top attorney in Texas, Top Lawyers in Texas, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2019
- Selected by Texas Monthly, Top Lawyers in Texas, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2018
- Featured in The American Lawyer, Corporate Counsel, and the National Law Journal, Top Rated Lawyer in Medical Malpractice, ALM Media, 2015
- Selected as Nations Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel: Members are thoroughly vetted by a research team, selected by a blue ribbon panel of attorneys with podium status from independently neutral organizations, and approved by a judicial review board as exhibiting virtue in the practice of law. Due to the incredible selectivity of the appointment process, only the top one percent of attorneys in the United States are awarded membership in NADC. This elite class of advocates consists of the finest leaders of the legal profession from across the nation, Nations Top 1%, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015
- Recognized for Excellence in Personal Injury Litigation in September 2014, Top Attorneys in Texas, Texas Monthly, 2014
- Texas Lawyer Hall of Fame on November 12, 2013 in the category of Intentional Torts. , Texas Lawyer Verdicts Hall of Fame, Texas Lawyer, 2013
- Received AV rating for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability by Martindale Hubbell Attorney Rating Service, AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale Hubbell, 2013
- Inductee into the Texas Lawyer Hall of Fame, 2013, Texas Lawyer Hall of Fame, Texas Lawyer, 2013
- Nominated by The National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Nations Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Association, 2012
- Annual Selection of Attorneys by Texas Monthly, Top Attorneys in Texas, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2012
- Houston's Top Lawyers, H-Texas Magazine, 2011
- Annual Selection by Texas Monthly, Top Attorneys in Texas, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2011
- Rated a "10" by AVVO attorney rating site., Superb Rating, AVVO, 2011
- Houston's Top Lawyers, H-Texas Magazine, 2010
- Rated a "10" by AVVO attorney rating site., Rating Superb, AVVO, 2010
- Houston's Top Lawyers, H-Houston Magazine, 2009
- Houston's Best Attorneys, H-Houston Magazine, 2008
- Houston's Best Attorneys, H-Houston Magazine, 2007
- Top Lawyers for the People, H-Houston Magazine, 2005
- Awarded for Graduating in the top 10% of the graduating class., Woolsack Honor Society, The Dickinson School of Law, 1995
Educational Background:
- Celebration Leadership Institute: Biblical and Leadership studies in this Diploma Program. Graduation in May 2023
- Trial Lawyers' College, 2009, 2009
- The University of Texas, Bachelor of Journalism, May, 1987
- Naval Justice School - with honors, 1995
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Permian Basin Trial Lawyers’ Assoc. (7 Ways Being a Trial Lawyer can Kill You): 2023
- Texas Young Lawyers Association: Panel Presentation on Mental Health: 2023
- Texas Bar Association CLE panelist on Trucking Tips and Tricks: 2022
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association Destination CLE on Actual Damages: 2022
- Instructed at this immersive 23-day program training lawyers for people how to present their cases to juries, Faculty Instructor, Trial Lawyers' College, Trial Lawyers College, Trial Lawyers, 2023
- From a near suicide to renewed success, this is the story of the struggles of professional life. , Author, Worth Dying For, Personal Testimonial, Legal, First Responders, Clergy, Medical, Psychiatric, Others, 2024
- Trial Skills presentation to volunteer legal services in Travis County, Texas., Speaker, Trial Thoughts, Travis County Volunteer Legal Services, Attorneys And Judges In Travis County, 2023
- Immersive Trial Skills Program. I served as an invited faculty member, Faculty Instructor, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys, 2023
- Ethics Credit related to the book, The Power Within., Speaker, Worth Dying For - The Power Within, PBTLA, Permian Basin Trial Lawyers' Association, 2023
- Ethics presentation related to the book The Power Within, published in 2022 by L. Todd Kelly, Speaker, Worth Dying For – The Power Within, CATLA, Capitol Area Trial Lawyers' Association, 2023
- Presented on this Trial Technique at the TTLA Destination CLE in Scottsdale, Arizona. , Lecturer, Trying Cases without Medical Bills: What they are REALLY Worth, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Texas Trial Lawyers, 2022
- TCTLA Lunch CLE Presentation, Speaker, Trying a Case Without Medical Bills, Tarrant County Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyers Of Tarrant County, 2021
- Presentation at the SPTLA Lunch CLE, Speaker, Trying a Case Without Medical Bills, South Plains Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyers Of South Plains, Texas, 2021
- Guest Speaker at the PBTLA Lunch CLE, Speaker, Trying a Case Without Medical Bills, Permian Basin Trial Lawyers' Association, Trial Lawyers Of Permian Basin, 2021
- Speaker at the Advanced Tactics and Strategy seminar in Santa Fe, NM, Speaker, Trying a Case without Medical Bills, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyers Of Texas, 2021
- Instructed student attorneys on trial advocacy while working through a mock trial., Faculty, TACT - Trial Advocacy College of Texas, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyers Of Texas, 2021
- Presented to the Texas Trial Lawyers on Presenting Opening Statements. First Virtual Presentation in a statewide trial lawyers organization, nationally., Presenter, Open Wide - Opening Statements to Prepare a Jury to Think BIG, TTLA, Texas Trial Lawyers, 2020
- Presentation to TTLA on trying cases without submitting medical bills. Includes discussion of anchoring and pre-existing injuries., Speaker, Texas Trial Lawyers' Association: Midyear Meeting, Texas Trial Lawyers' Association, Attorneys, 2019
- Trial skills presentation involving the tactic of leaving past medical bills out of the trial presentation - pros and cons., Speaker/Presenter, Trying Cases without Medical Bills, Capitol Area Trial Lawyers' Association, Austin-area Trial Lawyers, 2019
- Presented to the Houston Car Wrecks Seminar sponsored by TTLA on the topic of proving causation when Plaintiffs have pre-existing injuries, Speaker, Proving Causation with Pre-Existing Injuries, Texas Trial Lawyers, 2017
- - Spoke on proving causation to the TTLA Car Wrecks Seminar in McAllen, TX in September, 2017, Speaker, Proving Causation, Texas Trial Lawyers' Association, 2017
- Spoke on Intangible Damages to the Capital Area Trial Lawyers' Association for the monthly CLE presentation., Speaker, Intangible Damages, Capitol Area Trial Lawyers Association, CATLA, 2017
- Presentation on "intangible" damages to the local Bryan/College Station Trial Lawyers' Association: Includes damages on pain, emotional suffering, loss of use and disfigurement, as well as ways to turn the "intangible" into the tangible, Speaker, Intangible Damages, Texas Trial Lawyers, 2016
- Trial Advocacy College of Texas (TACT) Instructor, Staff Instructor, Texas Trial Lawyers, 2016
- Presentation about presenting "intangible" damages to a jury to a local trial lawyers' association: including pain, emotional damages, loss of use and disfigurement, as well as ways to turn the "intangible" into the tangible., Speaker, Intangible Damages, Texas Trial Lawyers' Association, Permian Basin Trial Lawyers' Association, 2015
- Spoke to members of the Texas Trial Lawyers' Association on the issues of using bench briefs in car wreck cases during trial. This was a presentation given at the TTLA Car Wreck Seminar in Dallas, Texas on October 10, 2014, Speaker, Using Bench Briefs in Car Wreck Cases, TTLA, Texas Trial Lawyers, 2014
- Spoke with Jamie Leigh Jones on the issues surrounding arbitration as an invited panel member at the 2010 NELA Conference., Panel Speaker, Arbitration, National Employment Lawyers Association, 2010
- I spoke to the University of Texas law students on the issues of mandatory, pre-dispute, binding arbitration. The speech is available on the "in the news" tab at my web-site listed above., Keynote Speaker, Fairness in Arbitration, University of Texas, Law School, 2009
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Selected as one of Texas' "Top 10 Trucking Lawyers", 2019
- Inducted into the Texas Lawyers' Verdicts Hall of Fame, 2013
- Member of the Million Dollar Advocate's Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocate's Forum, 2006
Industry Groups:
- Cerebral Palsy from Birth
- Colorado Injured Plaintiffs
- DWI Collision Victims
- Human Trafficking Victims
- Maritime Injuries
- New Mexico Injured Plaintiffs
- Oilfield Injuries
- Oklahoma Injured Plaintiffs
- Rape & Sexual Assault Victims
- Texas Injured Plaintiffs
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Truck Collision Victims
- Virginia Injured Plaintiffs
Office location for L. Todd Kelly
205 E University Ave
Suite 402
Georgetown, TX 78626
Phone: 737-343-7284
Selections
14 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2011 - 2012, 2014 - 2025
Certificates and credentials
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Personal Injury Trial Law
Personal Injury Trial Law
