Overview
Kelly is a Member in the national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice at McDonald Hopkins. She advises clients in a wide variety of industries on preparing for and addressing cybersecurity and data privacy matters. Her work includes assisting companies with the investigation of data security incidents, compliance with data breach notification obligations, and post-breach responses.
Kelly regularly represents clients in state and federal investigations that arise from data privacy incidents. Additionally, Kelly counsels clients on the handling of crisis communications and management issues, navigating cybersecurity-related due diligence concerns, and resolving privacy-related contract negotiations.
Kelly also provides clients with proactive, pre-breach services that focus on regulatory compliance, protecting personal, sensitive and confidential information, and minimizing the risk of a data privacy incident. The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) recognizes Kelly as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US).
In addition to her data privacy and cybersecurity practice, Kelly has experience handling complex commercial litigation and representing clients in state and federal courts.
Kelly obtained her B.A. in public relations from the University of South Carolina. She earned her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Baltimore Law Review.
She is admitted to practice law in D.C. and Maryland.
Honors & Recognition
2024 Living Classrooms Foundation Rising Star
Maryland Super Lawyers®, Rising Stars, 2026
Credentials
Education
University of Baltimore School of Law
University of South Carolina
Admissions – Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Admissions – State
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
Maryland State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section
Federal Bar Association
Baltimore City Bar Association
Accreditation
Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US)
News & Insights
External News & Publications
"California's 30-Day Deadline for Data Breach Reporting Begins Thursday," Privacy Daily (2025)
Co-Author: "Hackers Bribing Employees, Vendors to Deploy Ransomware," HR Daily Advisor, Total Security Advisor, October 2021
Events
Speaking Engagements
Presenter, Legislative and Regulatory Update: Preparing for new and stricter notification requirements, Stronger Conference 2024, September 17, 2024
Panelist: Cyber & Privacy Headaches, Spring 2024 Mid-Atlantic Association for Financial Professionals Treasury and Financial Forum, April 24, 2024
Presenter: Insurance Data Security Model Laws, Big I Maryland Annual Conference, November 18, 2022
Panelist: Incident Response Planning Session, Right of Boom Cyber Summit by The Cyber Nation, February 11, 2022