Kelly Locher focuses her practice on government investigations and enforcement actions, particularly those initiated by state attorneys general. Her experiences as an investigator, litigator, advisor, and counselor allows her to address client needs from the time a subpoena is served until the parties reach a final resolution of the matter.
Kelly has assisted clients in the educational, religious, and tax sectors in responding to government subpoenas, investigative demands, and inquiries from regulators. Kelly has developed effective internal compliance programs for clients in the technology sector. She has advised clients in a range of matters, including those relating to the defense of actions brought under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Additionally, Kelly has handled all facets of litigation, including managing critical factual development and e-discovery efforts, briefing and arguing motions or other pleadings, taking depositions, preparing witness testimony, and crafting and executing upon specific litigation strategies.
Kelly serves as a coordinator for the Western District of Pennsylvania's Pro Se Pro Bono Mediation Program, which pairs pro se litigants with volunteer counsel. In addition, she assists victims of online child sexual exploitation in seeking criminal restitution.
At her prior firm, Kelly served as lead counsel in representing a juvenile lifer in an Allegheny County resentencing hearing and represented a Pennsylvania inmate alleging various violations of his civil rights in a federal jury trial.
Kelly is a member of the Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh's Development Committee, a member of the University of Pittsburgh's Young Alumni Council, and a volunteer recruiter for the Pittsburgh Buckeye Alumni Association.
Experience
- The Ohio State University (J.D. cum laude 2016; Staff Editor, Ohio State Entrepreneurial Business Law Journal; National Scarlet Moot Court Travel Team; Moot Court Governing Board); University of Pittsburgh (B.A. in English Writing — Nonfiction and Political Science — American Politics magna cum laude 2012 with a minor in Legal Studies)
- Pennsylvania and U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Western, and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania
- The Legal Intelligencer's Professional Excellence Award, "Unsung Hero" (2022)
- Judicial Extern to Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, Ohio Supreme Court (Fall 2014)