Ashley S. Kelly

Ashley is a partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group, a co-chair of the Employment practice group, and a member of the Logistics and Post-Acute Care industry teams. She also serves as the firm’s General Counsel and as a member of its Executive Committee. She guides employers through the most pressing human resources issues, using a direct approach to resolving employment matters that preserves positive workplace environments. Her clients span many sectors including the logistics, long-term care, healthcare, background screening, energy, financial services, and retail/hospitality industries. She also has a niche practice representing foreign-based companies that are establishing operations in the U.S. and has a great deal of experience conducting internal investigations, including investigations concerning employers’ high-ranking executives.

As a litigator, Ashley serves as lead counsel in a full range of employment and business disputes, including claims involving allegations of discrimination and harassment, violations of employee leave laws, wage and hour issues, breach of executive employment contracts, benefits disputes, and other complex business litigation matters. She also negotiates executive compensation packages and advises on matters relating to unfair competition and restrictive covenants, such as non-competition, non-solicitation, non-disclosure, and trade secrets agreements. Ashley is known for her strong analysis of complex matters, quickly offering clear advice that is practical and achievable. She frequently appears before administrative agencies and state and federal courts at the trial and appellate levels, as well as in arbitration, mediation, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Employers and industry groups often invite Ashley to present on cutting-edge employment and human resources topics.

American Bar Association, Section of Litigation

Atlanta Volunteer Lawyer Foundation and Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta, Volunteer

Emory University Law School, Young Alumni Council Class Representative, 1997-2002

Lamar Inn of Court, Barrister, 2000-02