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Ty Kelly

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Ty Kelly is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of Baker Donelson's Board of Directors. She defends companies in government investigations and high-stakes litigation.

Featured Experience


Obtained a favorable settlement in a False Claim Act case against a public health care company related to overbilling.

Represented a Fortune 100 company in a grand jury investigation resulting in witness status of company.

Professional Biography


Ty is a 20+ year experienced litigator who represents nonprofits, companies and individuals in high-stakes litigation, antitrust class actions, and government investigations. She is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the Firm's Board of Directors, and founder and chair of BakerWell, a wellness initiative supporting the mental and physical health and well-being of every employee at Baker Donelson.

Ty is a first-chair trial lawyer whose experience includes 10 years with the Department of Justice (DOJ) as a federal criminal prosecutor. She is known for her instinct, judgment and focus, all of which are important to identifying and developing successful defenses and strategic approaches that resonate with judges, juries and opposing counsel, alike. She excels at communicating challenging and difficult topics well, particularly when creative solutions will win the day.

Part of Ty's success stems from her experience in conducting internal investigations, resulting in the ability to advise companies strategically and efficiently under the threat of government action or litigation. Some of her public current and former engagements include: the defense of numerous companies in high-stakes nuisance litigation; the defense of a national real estate company in an action brought by the State of Maryland and a putative class action alleging deceptive trade practices; and the defense of a national government contractor in a False Claims Act case.

Prior to private practice, Ty was an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Maryland for seven years. Prior to becoming an Assistant United States Attorney, Ty served as a trial attorney in the Department of Justice's Criminal Division, Fraud Section, after being admitted into the prestigious Attorney General Honors Program. During her tenure at the Fraud Section, she also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Columbia trying cases in the District of Columbia Superior Court.

Ty was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers in Spring 2019. Additionally, she previously served on the Board of Trustees for the Office of the Public Defender of Maryland, a position which is appointed by Governor Larry Hogan. She is actively involved in community affairs, serving on the Women's Leadership Council for My Sister's Place, a division of Catholic Charities, which provides meals, case management, education, and job training to women in Baltimore City.

  • Representing numerous health care providers and related companies in federal and state civil and criminal investigations nationwide related to health care fraud, False Claim Act claims and anti-kickback claims.

  • Representing a major agricultural company in multi-defendant antitrust class actions alleging wage fixing and no poaching agreements.

  • Representing a private equity company in a False Claims Act investigation.

  • Obtained a favorable settlement in a False Claim Act case against a public health care company related to overbilling.

  • Represented a Fortune 100 company in a grand jury investigation resulting in witness status of company.

  • Fellow – American College of Trial Lawyers
    • Vice-Chair, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Committee
    • Maryland State Committee
  • Listed in Chambers USA as a leading Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations lawyer (2019 – 2024)
  • Listed in Maryland Super Lawyers (2015 – 2024)
  • Named the Best Lawyers® 2024 Criminal Defense: White-Collar "Lawyer of the Year" in Baltimore
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in Criminal Defense: White Collar (2018 – 2025) and Criminal Defense: General Practice (2021 – 2025)
  • Honoree – Maryland's Top 100 Women by The Daily Record (2023)
  • Named to The Daily Record's Criminal Law Power List (2023)
  • Recipient – Leadership in Law Award by The Daily Record (2021)
  • Member – American Bar Association
  • Recipient – United States Attorney's Office Barney Skolnik Award
  • Recipient – Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General's Integrity Award
  • Recipient – United States Attorney's Office Award for Excellence in Prosecution of Fraud Award
  • Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland (2005 – 2013)
  • Trial Attorney, Criminal Division, Fraud Section, United States Department of Justice (2003 – 2005)
  • Special Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (2003)
  • Law Clerk, Richard D. Bennett, Judge, United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2003)
  • Law Clerk, Frederic N. Smalkin, Chief Judge, United States District Court for the District of Maryland (2002 – 2003)

Education

  • University of Maryland, J.D.
    • Order of the Coif
    • The John L. Thomas Prize, Second Highest Scholastic Average
  • University of Maryland, B.A.

Admissions

  • Maryland (2002)
  • District of Columbia (2014)

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