Kelly counsels clients on a variety of high-profile, high-stakes issues. Her background in politics continues to shape her focus of helping clients “win” at key decision points. Many of these clients are in regulated industries, such as the energy, media, airline, healthcare, gaming and telecommunications sectors, where a premium is placed on the intersection of sophisticated communications with political and regulatory processes.

Navigating the Political and Regulatory Landscape

At both the federal and state levels, companies face increasing regulatory reviews and political interests. Understanding these constituencies is increasingly important to our clients. Kelly advises EDF, the largest nuclear operator in the world, on its US presence, beginning with the company’s investment in Constellation Energy. She worked on the merger of SIRIUS and XM Satellite Radio and continues to advise the company today.

Supporting Clients in Complicated Situation

Kelly has worked with a number of clients with activist shareholders, including proxy fights at Biovail, Regis and ModusLink. She advised the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation-Foxwoods, MGM Mirage and North General Hospital on their financial restructurings. Kelly has worked with a wide-range of clients involved in litigation, including TiVo in its patent dispute with the Dish Network. Kelly has also worked with clients facing federal investigations and regulatory inquiries, as well as unplanned leadership changes.

Advising on both Friendly and Contested Transactions

Kelly is currently working with US Airways in support of its merger with American Airlines and worked on the combination of LAN and Tam Airlines. She worked with Groupo Modelo around the InBev/Anheuser-Busch transaction. Kelly worked with AGL and Nicor on their merger, and more recently, on the merger of Entergy and ITC.  CenturyLink continues to be a client and Kelly has worked with them on several transactions, including Qwest, Savvis and Embarq.

Creating Ongoing Programs for Clients

Kelly has worked with a number of clients on an ongoing basis to develop and execute their investor and communications programs, included Chiquita, Monster Worldwide, American Tower, Capella Education, USEC, Hawaiian Electric Industries, ADM, TIAA-CREF and Savient Pharmaceuticals.

Prior to joining Joele Frank in 2006, Kelly was at the public affairs firm Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates. She also served as a spokesperson for the National Endowment for the Arts under Chairwoman Jane Alexander and began her career as press secretary to Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY).

Kelly graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in American Government. She serves as trustee on the Foundation Board of Kingsborough Community College.