Deanna L. Kelley
Is Known Throughout the Country for Her Advanced Trial Skills, Tenacious Cross-examination, & Professional Excellence.
Deanna has spent 30 years passionately fighting for her clients. She has won hundreds of trials, developed advanced trial skills, and is known for her tenacious cross-examination. Her significant accomplishments are routinely recognized throughout the country, and she has earned a reputation as a prestigious winner.
Deanna L. Kelley has been a criminal litigator for almost 35 years. The first ten years of her career were as an Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor where she was often specially assigned to handle high-profile sex crimes against children. She was tasked with training other prosecutors and police. In the past 23 years she has focused solely on criminal defense of both adults and juveniles, handling complex and high-profile cases involving murder, robbery, sex, computers, fraud, drugs, assault, stalking, and more. She accepts select cases throughout the country, most recently in Connecticut, Kentucky, California, Colorado and Ohio. Ms. Kelley is known as a smart and tough litigator. She is feared by her opponents and respected by the bench.
In the past year, Deanna has obtained outright dismissals in more than 20 felony cases (including an individual charged with shooting and wounding a person, a parent who was falsely accused of inflicting non-accidental trauma on her child, many people falsely accused of sexual assault, and more) obtained multiple not guilty verdicts (including accusations of rape, domestic violence, breaking and entering, theft, resisting and obstructing the police, and more), and prevented felony charges in numerous cases.
Ms. Kelley has been consistently recognized as a Michigan Super Lawyer and has been honored by “Hour Magazine” as one of the Top Women Attorneys in Michigan. She has been recognized by “DBusiness” magazine as a Top Lawyer, specifically for her skills representing those charged with white-collar crimes.
Ms. Kelley is a contributing author of the Michigan Model Criminal Jury Instructions with ICLE commentary, and she is currently on the faculty of the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission where she teaches trial skills to attorneys with the goal of improving legal representation for indigent criminal defendants. She has trained police officers at the Oakland Community College Police Academy. In addition, she is an Oakland County Bar Association Fellow, and belongs to the Michigan Bar Association, The Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Ms. Kelley also volunteers at a pro bono legal clinic representing clients seeking expungements.
A premier Michigan lawyer
A former prosecutor specializing in criminal defense trial work.
Endorsed by the best
Fortitude • Insight • Discipline
A leader in the courtroom
Deanna Kelley is an outstanding attorney. I have known her for many years. Deanna and I opposed each other many times while she worked for the Oakland County Prosecutors Office. She is always prepared, truly cares about her clients and has a very strong and positive presence in the courtroom. Deanna is a credit to our profession and I highly recommend her to anyone seeking a Criminal Defense Attorney.
She is a terrific criminal defense lawyer, with a wonderful reputation.
Deanna Kelley is an outstanding criminal defense lawyer and a well respected litigator. When she was a prosecutor, many defense lawyers dreaded her courtroom prowess and ability to communicate and persuade a jury. Deanna’s ability to achieve amazing results for her clients is well known, and many defense lawyers seek out her advice when an issue they are facing is unusually complex or difficult. Judges and prosecutors know that when Deanna Kelley appears in court, she will do everything possible to win! I highly endorse and respect Attorney Deanna Kelley.
I endorse this lawyer. Deanna Kelley is a top criminal defense attorney and great trial lawyer. She fights for her clients and has a proven track record with results. Anyone will be well represented with Deanna by their side.
Deanna is a talented and hard-working trial attorney. I have been privileged to work with her on several cases, and have been very impressed with her skills in and out of the courtroom. Her keen intellect, exceptional insight, work ethic, and background as a prosecutor make her a fantastic criminal defense attorney. I highly recommend and endorse this lawyer.
I’ve been a colleague of Deanna for many years and will tell anybody and everybody that she is not only an exceptional criminal attorney who has no problem bulldogging down any prosecutor around, she is one of the most compassionate and caring people who walk this earth. And when it’s your life on the line, it really helps when your lawyer is a bulldog, while at the same time truly cares about you and what will happen to you. Call Deanna, she’s the best!!!!!
Deanna is a highly effective and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney well respected by both bench and bar. Deanna is an outstanding advocate and will zealously pursue every possible defense to obtain favorable results for her clients. I endorse this lawyer without reservation. Anyone that needs an attorney in the area of criminal defense would be wise to consult with her.
Deanna Kelley is one of the best lawyers I have ever known. If I were arrested I would call Ms. Kelley. She is aggressive, compassionate, and incredibly intelligent. I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Deanna for over 20 years, and have seen her litigate both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney. Deanna is an extremely talented attorney who aggressively fights for her client’s rights. I have referred Deanna many clients over the years and they all have had extremely positive experiences with her. Not only did she passionately advocate for the clients, but she was very sensitive to the incredible stress that they were experiencing. I would highly recommend Deanna.
Deanna is smart, sharp, and savvy. She has the right balance of what it takes to get the best possible result for her client. Deanna is the real deal.
As a criminal defense attorney, if I were facing a criminal charge myself, there are colleagues whom I would turn to for help and those whom I would not trust. Deanna Kelley is one of about 4 or 5 that I would count on because she has proven herself again and again. Whether you’re seeking a plea deal or planning to fight your charges all the way by taking it to Trial, Deanna is the lawyer who will pay attention to those important facts that lesser attorneys ignore, and her meticulously planned Trial strategies unravel like an intimidating checkmate that Prosecutors don’t realize they’re in until it’s too late. I’m not being forced to write this review, so let the very fact that I felt compelled to give this endorsement stand as a testament to Deanna’s prowess in the courtroom.
I cannot recommend Deanna Kelley highly enough. She is a true powerhouse attorney who fights tirelessly to protect both her clients and their reputations.
Her background as a former prosecutor gives her a unique perspective and makes her an exceptionally formidable advocate. From our first conversation, it was clear that she understood both the legal issues and the strategy needed to achieve the best possible outcome.
Deanna was able to resolve a legal matter that was completely untrue and unfounded in a remarkably short period of time. Throughout the process, she was responsive, prepared, and relentless in protecting my rights.
Her tenacity, experience, professionalism, and outstanding reputation throughout Michigan make her the attorney I would recommend without hesitation. If you need a great attorney Deanna Kelley should be your first call!
