A versatile transactional attorney with a deep tax background, Kelly advises clients on complex mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and joint venture transactions.
Kelly is a corporate and tax attorney counseling clients on M&A and related tax considerations and joint ventures. Leveraging strong interpersonal and project management skills, she has led or co-led the deal teams providing legal and tax advice on a large acquisition in the self-storage industry, a majority investment in a telecom joint venture, and the sale or purchase of businesses in regulated industries, including the insurance, healthcare, education and not-for-profit industries. Kelly has provided tax and structuring advice on transactions involving real estate investment trusts, private equity funds, joint ventures and other partnerships. Kelly has also counseled management teams on incentive compensation packages in connection with the sale of their employers.
In addition, Kelly has experience in the areas of corporate and partnership tax, executive compensation and tax-exempt organization compliance.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Kelly spent nine years in advancement and development at two higher educational institutions and a national health care organization, serving in managerial, regional giving officer and planned giving officer positions. That unique industry experience informs her work with tax-exempt organization clients — enabling Kelly to provide practical advice based on her personal understanding of the operations of tax-exempt organizations. She is co-leader of Phillips Lytle’s Not-for-Profit Team.
Presenter, “Endowments in Higher Education,” Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities (CICU) Webinar, April 2024
Panelist, “Planning for the Business Owner: Start to Finish,” Western New York Estate Planning Council, October 2023
Panelist, “Take A Deeper Dive: Covid-19 Panel” Phillips Lytle and Tronconi Segarra & Associates LLP Webinar, February 2021
Presenter, “Tax Reform and Philanthropy: How Changes in Federal Tax Law Impact Charitable Giving and Charitable Organizations,” “Bolster Your Boardroom Knowledge,” Phillips Lytle Not-For-Profit Seminar, October 2018
Panelist, “Tax Reform and Philanthropy: How Changes in Federal Tax Law May Impact Charitable Giving,” “From Naming Rights to Quid Pro Quo: Fundraising Rules You Need to Know,” Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Event, December 2017
Presenter, “Charitable Giving Insights All Fundraisers Should Know: Important Advice and Topics Your Donors May be Hearing,” Association of Fundraising Professionals Western New York Chapter (AFP-WNY) Professional Advancement Session, December 2015
Presenter, “The Nonprofit Revitalization Act–A Year Later,” “This Is Not Your Father’s Board of Directors,” Phillips Lytle LLP Seminar, October 2015
Presenter, “Duties and Responsibilities of a Not-For-Profit Board Member,” “This Is Not Your Father’s Board of Directors,” Phillips Lytle LLP Seminar, October 2015
Activities & Professional Associations
Present Activities
MusicalFare Theatre Company, Inc., Trustee
Past Activities
American Red Cross Western New York Chapter, Trustee and Philanthropy Committee Chair
Irish Classical Theatre Company, Board of Trustees, Trustee and President
Second Generation Theatre Company, Inc., Trustee
University at Buffalo School of Management, Tax Institute Planning Committee, Member
