J. Brendan Kelley

J. Brendan Kelley is an associate in the Greenville, South Carolina, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. His practice focuses on representing employers in workplace law matters, including preventive advice and counseling.

Brendan defends employers against claims brought against them under Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, FLSA, claims related to restrictive covenants, and various tort claims such as negligence, negligent hiring and retention, and wrongful discharge in federal and state courts and arbitration. He also represents clients before the EEOC and other federal and state administrative agencies.

In addition, Brendan advises clients on compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws as well as new and pending developments that will impact their employment practices and internal policies. As a part of this practice, he drafts and counsels clients on employee handbooks, non-compete/restrictive covenant agreements, and severance agreements. Brendan also advises clients about mitigating risk related to reductions in force.

Before joining Jackson Lewis, Brendan was an associate at a boutique firm in Greenville, where he practiced in the areas of business litigation, insurance coverage advice and counsel, bad-faith litigation, pharmaceutical litigation, and general TIPS matters.

While attending law school, Brendan served on the Moot Court Bar executive committee, became a member of the National Order of Barristers, and was on the staff of the South Carolina Journal of International Law and Business. 

Honors and Recognitions

• The Best Lawyers in America©, “Ones to Watch: Litigation – Labor and Employment” (2025)

Pro Bono and Community Involvement

• Bob Jones University, Alumni Advisory Board
• Greenville Classical Academy Mock Trial Team, Attorney Coach