Originally from Emporia, Virginia, Mike Kelly received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1974, and graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law three years later. Mike has received many awards throughout his career, including the Public Citizen Award from the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association and The Compleat Lawyer Award from his alma mater, the University of South Carolina. Twice, he was elected to serve as President of the Richland County Bar, and from 1999 to 2000, Mike had the privilege of serving as the President of the South Carolina Bar. He is currently the Co-Chair of the University of South Carolina Law School Building Fund Campaign and currently devotes two to three business days a month to make the dream of a new state-of-the art facility a reality.
For more than 29 years, Mike Kelly has been fighting for the rights of the people of South Carolina. Mike founded the Mike Kelly Law Group in 2004 to provide exceptional legal services to those who have been injured by the conduct of another. In spite of his many responsibilities as the Owner of the Mike Kelly Law Group, he unselfishly takes time from his overburdened schedule to give back to the community and participate in enhancing the lives of those who are fortunate to come in contact with him.
A staunch backer of the community, he has been of invaluable help to the Arts and is the immediate past Chair of the Cultural Council for Richland and Lexington County, and is an avid supporter of the University of South Carolina Department of Theatre and Dance where his son, Patrick Kelly, recently graduated. In addition, Mike serves in the South Carolina Bar House of Delegates, and serves on several Boards including the Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Winnsboro Downtown Development Planning Committee and the New Morning Foundation. Mike is also the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Glenforest School. Involved for many years in the chiropractic profession; he currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer for the Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, a non-profit foundation funding chiropractic research.
An active member of St. Martin’s in the Fields Episcopal Church, Mike has served in the Vestry. He is married to the former Anne Garrison and is the father of two sons, Patrick and Mac.
Mike’s outstanding qualities of spiritual and civic leadership have won for him the respect, confidence, and affection of his community.Mike has used his time, talent and resources in services to the whole community in a most humble and subtle way. He continues to distinguish himself among his peers by showing humanity, warmth, and concern to all people and recognizing their equality regardless of age, wealth or educational background. Through his dedicated actions, he has become a role model and an influential member of the community.