Samuel C. Kelly was born in Bruce, Mississippi on July 5, 1961.  Upon graduating from law school, he served as law clerk to Judge Robert J. Yock of the United States Claims Court in Washington, D.C.  He is an active member of and serves as General Counsel to the Mississippi Associated Builders and Contractors (the largest construction trade association in Mississippi), and the Mississippi Road Builders Association.  Sam is also an active member of the Associated General Contractors of Mississippi.  Sam’s practice focuses on the construction industry and includes contract preparation and negotiations, bid protests, claim preparation and evaluation and dispute resolution.  In the field of Construction Litigation, Sam has been recognized by Best Lawyers® in America, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers, and Mid-South Super Lawyers®.  He was named Best Lawyer® Lawyer of the Year 2012 Jackson-MS in Construction Litigation.

He co-authored Mississippi Construction Law in 1993 and Bonds and Liens on Mississippi Construction Projects, Lorman Business Center, Inc. in 1994.  Sam is a former Member and Past President of both the Jackson Young Lawyers Association (1995-1996) and the Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar (1999-2000).  He served on the Board of Directors for the Capital Area Bar Association from 1994 to 1996.  He also served on the Board of Commissioners for the Mississippi Bar from 1998-2001.

Representative Matters

• F. L. Crane & Sons, Inc. v. IKBI, Inc., 630 F.Supp.2d 718 (S.D. Miss 2009)
• Johnson Land Co. v. C.E. Frazier Construction Company, Inc., 925 So.2d 80 ( Miss. 2006)
• Huey Stockstill, Inc. v. Hales, 730 So.2d 539 ( Miss. 1998)
• Matter of Treasure Bay Corp., 205 B.R. 490 (S.D. Miss. 1997)

Speeches & Publications

• Co-Author: Mississippi Construction Law (1993)
• Bonds and Liens on Mississippi Construction Projects, Lorman Business Center, Inc. (1994)

Community & Professional Activities

• Mississippi State Bar
• Jackson Young Lawyers Division, Past President (1999-2000)
• Federal Bar Association
• American Bar Association (Torts and Insurance Practice Section, Forum Committee on the Construction Industry, Section on Litigation)
• Capital Area Bar Association, Board of Directors (1994-96)
• Mississippi Associated Builders and Contractors, General Counsel
• Madison County Schools, Past President of PTO for Madison Avenue Elementary, Madison Middle School and Rosa Scott
• Mississippi Road Builders Association, General Counsel