Daniel J. Kelley

Judge Daniel J. Kelley (Retired)

Chicago, Illinois 60601

312-909-1457

Commercial, Employment, Maritime, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Professional Liability, Sports and Entertainment


Upon my retirement from the bench of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and believing that I still have a lot to offer the people of this community, I founded the Law Offices of Daniel J. Kelley in early 2008. For the past 24 years I served the Circuit Court in such areas as complex commercial/business litigation, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death and products liability, as well as, all criminal matters including DUI and traffic related cases.  It is this knowledge and experience gained over the years that I bring to this next phase of my legal career. 

Additionally I am a skilled mediator (and retired settlement judge) with 24 years experience which includes ruling on complex multi-party pre-trial motions and adjudicating or settling complex civil cases.  I am a certified mediator and arbitrator; as well as a certified judicial mentor. My area of expertise include: Commercial Disputes, Condominium Disputes, Construction Disputes, Employment Disputes, Insurance Coverage Disputes, Legal Malpractice, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury Claims, Product Liability, and Real Estate.

If you need assistance in any of these areas please contact me via telephone or email with any questions, comments, or concerns that you might have.  In addition, feel free to contact me if you would like to schedule an appointment.

Memberships and Professional Activities:

  • Member, American College of Business Court Judges.
  • Member, Illinois Judges Association.
  • Member, Chicago Bar Association
  • Adjunct Professor, Kaplan University, Criminal Justice Department, 2003-present.
  • Mediation Training, The National Judicial College, November, 2004. 
  • American Enterprise Institute (AEI)-Brookings Joint Center for Regulatory Studies, Continuing Judicial Education Program: 

              * Economic Institute for Judges (Two Week Course), 2004

              * Critical Issues in Toxic Tort Litigation, 2005

              * Symposium on Critical Issues in Construction Defects Litigation, 2006

              * Insurance and Risk Allocation in America - Law and Regulation, 2006

  • Advanced Science and Technology Resource Judge Program (ASTAR) “Language of Life Sciences Boot Camp”, The Ohio State University, ASTAR, 2007.
  • Advanced Science and Technology Resource Judge Program (ASTAR) “Neuroscience and Bio-Behavior Technologies”, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, ASTAR, 2007.
Bar Admissions:
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1980.
  • United States District Court- Northern District of Illinois, 1980.
  • Illinois Supreme Court, 1980.

Retired Judge Daniel J. Kelley assists clients with Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, DUI Defense and Traffic Violations, Driver's License Reinstatements, Probate & Estate Administration, Wrongful Death, Commercial/Business Litigation, Residential Real Estate, Medical Malpractice and Alternative Dispute Resolution matters in the greater Chicago Metro Area.

JUDGE DANIEL J. KELLEY (RETIRED)

CIRCUIT COURT OF ILLINOIS-COOK COUNTY (1984-2008)

Welcome, and thank you for visiting my website! 

I recently retired from the bench of the Circuit Court of Cook County and have re-entered the general practice of law. Being entrusted by the people of Cook County to serve in this judicial capacity has been both an honor and privilege. I am most grateful to them for allowing me the opportunity to have had such a rewarding career. Over the past 24 years I served the Court in such areas as complex commercial/business litigation, personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death and products liability, as well as, all criminal matters including DUI and traffic related cases.  It is this knowledge and experience gained over the years that I bring to the next phase of my legal career.  
I look forward to meeting you and exploring ways that I and my staff can assist you.  I believe that a successful lawyer-client relationship is founded on my commitment to you, and on my ability to communicate in a caring and responsive manner.  I promise to listen to you with courtesy and respect and assist you with matters such as:

  • Mediation/Arbitration
  • DUI Defense
  • Traffic Violations/Driver's License Reinstatement
  • Criminal Defense
  • Commercial/Business Litigation
  • Personal Injury
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Real Estate

In addition to practicing law I have become actively involved with ADR Systems of America, LLC, an alternative dispute resolution company, as a mediator and arbitrator specializing in commercial/business litigation, personal injury, medical malpractice, construction litigation, wrongful death, and products liability.

This website was designed with you in mind.  The site offers us an additional way to provide helpful information that will allow my clients to make more informed decisions.  I genuinely hope that you will discover more about my practice and learn about useful information that will answer questions you might have about various legal issues.  I invite you to browse through my website, and encourage you to bookmark it as one of your favorite resources on the Web.

I would also like to hear from you, so please contact me via telephone or email with any questions, comments, or concerns that you might have.  In addition, feel free to contact me if you would like to schedule an appointment.

115 West 55th Street, Suite 400
Claredon Hills, IL 60514

P: 312-909-1457
F: 630-863-7581
E: [email protected]