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John P. Kelley
RÉSUMÉ
Education
- International Legal Studies Fellowship, University of California, Berkeley, 1966-1967
- L.L.B., Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley, 1966
- A.B., Georgetown University, 1963; Honors Program
State Certification
- Certified Specialist, State Bar of California, Probate, Estate Planning, Wills and Trust Law
Area of Legal Practice
John’s practice is devoted exclusively to estate planning, trusts and probate law. He serves a wide range of clientele on everything from simple wills, powers of attorney and healthcare directives to complex estate plans and after-death estate administration.
(For a complete list of Kelley & Farren services and expertise, see Areas of Practice.)
Legal Background
John began his career as a trial attorney, appellate attorney and office director for California Rural Legal Assistance from 1967 to 1972. In 1972 he co-founded Greene, Kelley, Tobriner & Farren in San Francisco, the predecessor to Kelley & Farren.
John is a frequent lecturer on estate planning, wills and trusts, primarily for pre-retirement seminars, retired groups, charitable organizations and credit unions. He has also taught “Fundamentals of Estate Planning,” a one-month course for the California Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), and “CEB Activities: Interviewing and Counseling Skills.”
John received a Certificate of Appreciation from the California Trial Lawyers Association in 1972 for his work as lead counsel in Vasquez v. Superior Court, the decision by the California Supreme Court that first authorized consumer fraud class action cases in California.
Professional Affiliations
- Probate Section, Marin County Bar Association
- Committee on Probate and Estate Planning, State Bar of California
- Probate Section, Bar Association of San Francisco
Personal
John sings with his church choir and with the College of Marin Community Chorus. He is also an avid potter and painter. John is married with three children.