Deborah P. Kelly ‘88 Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP 

Known for her straightforward, “cut-to-the-chase” approach to lawyering, Ms. Kelly represents employers in virtually all areas, from multibillion-dollar high tech and financial services companies to nonprofit associations and other law firms. 

Ms. Kelly teaches Employment and Labor Law at American University Washington College of Law and spent almost a decade in academia before becoming a lawyer, serving on the political science faculty at American University and the University of Maryland. Ms. Kelly also worked at The Brookings Institution, where she researched perspectives of the criminal justice system for a book on congressional oversight of federal administrative practices. 

In recognition of her professional contributions, Ms. Kelly is a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and has regularly been recognized as a top employment lawyer in publications ranging from U.S. News to Chambers Leading Guide for Businesses. Additionally, Ms. Kelly was awarded 2010 Women and the Law Leadership Award by the Washington College of Law. 

Along with her law degree she also holds a B.S. from the University of Vermont and a M.A. and a Ph.D in Political Science from the Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Kelly has been a frequent commentator on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, NPR, and Fox News.