The Honorable Gregory J. Kelly
United States Magistrate Judge
TEL: 407-835-3855
 Biography |
| Chambers Staff |
| Interests List |
| Case & Trial Management Preferences |
Biography: Back to top
Gregory J. Kelly graduated with a B.S., magna cum laude, from State University College at Buffalo in 1984. He then attended the University of Toledo College of Law, where he earned his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, in 1988. Judge Kelly was admitted to practice in the Florida bar, and he proceeded to private practice, working in the Orlando office of Akerman Senterfitt. His practice areas included commercial litigation, construction, corporate advisory services, franchising litigation, intellectual property litigation, land use and zoning, securities litigation, class actions, and appellate.
Chambers Staff: Back to top
Kimberly Anderson |
Beth Houston |
Patrick Brackins Law Clerk 407-835-3854 |
Interests List: Back to top
The hyperlink below is a list of investments, of which the judge is aware, owned by family members or by him, which are subject to reporting on his annual Financial Disclosure Report, or which could constitute a financial interest that might necessitate recusal. This information is provided so that participants in this case will be able to advise the Court if there is any actual or apparent conflict of interest in the assignment of a case to this Judge. This information is not to be used for any other purpose. Attention is directed to the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, published in Title 5 of the United States Code Annotated, Appendix 4, Sections 101-112, for information concerning the procedure for obtaining copies of the Financial Disclosure Report.
Case & Trial Management Preferences: Back to top
Oral Arguments
Hearings on motions are scheduled at the written request of the parties or, from time to time, by order of the judge without the request of the parties. Witnesses and other evidence are not permitted at oral argument unless permission to present evidence is obtained from the Court before the hearing. Counsel and unrepresented parties who wish to present argument are generally required to appear in court in person. Oral arguments and evidentiary hearings will be scheduled by the courtroom deputy.
Disputes Arising During Depositions
If a dispute arises during a deposition in a case in which Judge Kelly is the assigned Magistrate Judge, counsel and any unrepresented parties may contact chambers to ascertain whether the Judge is available to consider the disputed issue by telephone. However, counsel for the parties should conduct a good faith conference pursuant to Local Rule 3.01(g) on the record before involving the court. If the Judge is available, he will hear the dispute in a telephone conference call in which all counsel and any unrepresented parties participate.
Official Record of Proceedings
All proceedings before Judge Kelly are recorded by the courtroom tape recording system or by a court reporter. The parties are not permitted to use a court reporter or other recording system to make a record of the proceedings conducted by Judge Kelly except with her prior consent. Transcripts of tape-recorded proceedings can be obtained by making a written request to Judge Kelly’s courtroom deputy clerk.
Confidentiality Orders
Confidentiality orders should be limited to documents or specific categories of documents that are subject to confidential treatment under prevailing law. Judge Kelly will not issue blanket confidentiality orders that provided that any information designated by the parties as confidential will be protected. However, the parties are free to enter into private confidentiality agreements.
Emergency Motions
Emergency motions should be designated as such in the caption of the motion. See M.D. Fla. L.R. 3.01(e). Counsel should also inform the Court in the body of a motion not deemed to be an emergency if the motion requires expedited consideration due to upcoming deadlines, etc. Emergency motions should be served on opposing counsel, and any necessary non-parties, by hand delivery or other equivalent method of service.
Hearings Materials
When appropriate, the Court would appreciate receiving a notebook of the relevant authorities (preferably in highlight) to be used at the hearing.
Trials
Upon consent of the parties, Judge Kelly will schedule bench and jury trials to begin on a date certain. The parties should provide the Court with two copies of witness and exhibit lists the morning of trial. All exhibits should be marked before trial. In addition, parties should provide Judge Kelly with a bench book containing copies of documentary exhibits they intend to use at trial, which copies should be marked with exhibit numbers. Judge Kelly appreciates receiving a diskette containing the parties’ proposed jury instructions or proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law at the final pretrial conference.
Audio-Visual Equipment
Judge Kelly’s courtroom is not equipped with any audio-visual equipment although the Clerk of Court does have some of this equipment that may be reserved for use by counsel and unrepresented parties in a hearing or at trial, if it is available. Counsel and unrepresented parties who wish to reserve the Court’s equipment should contact Judge Kelly’s courtroom deputy clerk well before the date of the hearing or trial. If counsel and unrepresented parties wish to bring their own equipment into the courtroom for the hearing or trial, they must apply for permission to do so and obtain an order granting that request before the hearing or trial begins.