Attorneys

John H. Kelly
jkelly@obkcg.com

Shareholder, Naperville Office

John H. Kelly joined the firm of Ottosen Britz Kelly Cooper & Gilbert, Ltd. in October 1996. Mr. Kelly concentrates his practice in the area of public employment, particularly as it relates to police departments, fire departments, and public safety communications. In his practice he advises numerous police and fire chiefs on personnel issues. His years of experience as both a working law enforcement officer and counsel to police chiefs and fire chiefs provide a unique perspective from which to advise the firm's governmental clients. He also practices in the areas of pension and administrative law. He has appeared before all levels of the state court system and numerous administrative bodies, including the Illinois State Labor Relations Board.

Mr. Kelly represents 911 centers throughout Illinois, serves as defense counsel for a major insurer of 911 agencies, and is the attorney for the Illinois Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association (INENA) and the Illinois Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO). Mr. Kelly has represented and advised 911 centers in all aspects of their existence, including state regulations, corporate organization, personnel policies and practices, and liability issues. He also has been a presenter at the Illinois, Arizona, Missouri, and Minnesota state 911 conferences, and at eight previous national conferences. In addition, he has taught 911 law in Illinois and throughout the country. Mr. Kelly is a member of the NENA Educational Advisory Board.

While attending law school, Mr. Kelly was employed as a sergeant with the Northbrook Police Department. As a member of the department from 1973 to 1983, he served as a juvenile officer and high school liaison officer. In 1973, he was awarded the Ervin H. Warren Award for Excellence at the Police Training Institute of the University of Illinois.

Mr. Kelly served as a member of the Illinois State Bar Association's Administrative Law Section Council from 1983 to 1990, holding the position of Chairman in 1988-1989. He was also an active member of the Administrative Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. In 1989 and 1990, Mr. Kelly served the legal community as a member of the Private Bar Committee for the Study of Legal Needs for the Poor.

Mr. Kelly has instructed training classes for police and fire departments in diverse topics including the use of force, discipline, and the legal ramifications of fire prevention, and has written numerous articles on topics of personnel administration. Mr. Kelly serves as the Village Prosecutor for the Villages of Kildeer and Deer Park. Mr. Kelly is also a member of the Lake Zurich Fire and Police Commission. Mr. Kelly graduated from Northwestern University in 1973 and from the John Marshall Law School in 1981.