Bankruptcy and General Civil Litigation Attorney Joins Butzel
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Butzel recently added associate attorney Kelley M. Donnelly in the firm’s Ann Arbor office. Prior to joining Butzel, Donnelly clerked for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and practiced at an AmLaw 100 firm.
In her practice, Donnelly helps businesses and individuals navigate bankruptcy proceedings, commercial litigation, employment disputes, and other complex civil matters. Drawing on her experience in private-practice and as a federal judicial law clerk, Donnelly develops practical strategies that advance her clients’ goals and move disputes toward resolution.
She advises and guides clients through each stage of their case, from bankruptcy proceedings to complex business disputes. She believes that good outcomes start with good communication and helping clients to understand their options, assess risk, and make informed decisions is important to her.
Her approach is informed by her service as a career law clerk to the Honorable Paul R. Hage of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. In that role, she obtained valuable insight into how courts evaluate complex issues, enabling her to present clients’ positions clearly and persuasively.
Donnelly is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, Oakland Region, currently serves as Vice President, Access to Bankruptcy Court, Board Member, 2025-present, Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association, Bankruptcy Committee, Co-Chair, 2026-present, and Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association, New Lawyers’ Seminar Committee Member, 2026-present.
She has been honored by the Eastern District of Michigan Bar Association – Presidential Activity Award, Women Lawyers Association of Michigan – Regional Leadership Award, and Wayne State University Law School - President's Scholar Award.
Donnelly earned a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School and a B.A. from Wayne State University, in Public Affairs, with a minor in Asian Studies and a concentration in Mandarin Chinese.
