In 2002, Jay joined Elk + Elk after nine years as a trial attorney, including work as a felony prosecutor and civil defense attorney for Ohio’s largest medical centers. This diverse background laid the foundation for his impressive career.
In 2011, Jay became a partner at Elk + Elk, and in 2017, he assumed the role of Managing Partner. His focus on civil trial work in state and federal courts solidified his reputation as a seasoned attorney.
Jay’s practice areas encompass a wide range of medical negligence and wrongful death cases, including birth injuries, maternal deaths, surgeries, oncological issues, cardiac complications, and pharmaceutical causes.
His extensive courtroom experience includes handling cases in over 30 Ohio counties, as well as appearances in appellate courts and the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Jay’s exceptional legal skills and leadership abilities were recognized when he was appointed as Court Liaison and Lead Counsel for all claimants in lawsuits against University Hospitals regarding the loss of thousands of eggs and embryos in 2019. In this role, he supervised the comprehensive management and resolution of cases involving 65 plaintiffs. The litigation stemmed from a fertility clinic incident that rendered thousands of fertilized embryos and eggs non-viable.
In 2021, Jay was awarded “Lawyer of the Year” in Medical Malpractice Law in Cleveland.
Jay has been consistently recognized as an “Ohio Super Lawyer” since 2009. He holds the highest AVVO rating and a 5.0/5.0 AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™, underscoring his legal abilities and commitment to ethics.
Jay’s accomplishments include:
Top 5: Cleveland Super Lawyers: 2012 – 2015
Top 50: Cleveland Super Lawyers: 2009, 2012 – 2024
Top 10: Ohio Super Lawyers: 2011 – 2015
Top 100: Ohio Super Lawyers: 2010 – 2024
Awarded “Lawyer of the Year” in Medical Malpractice Law in Cleveland in 2021
Consistently included in The Best Lawyers in America for Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury since 2016
Jay’s dedication extends beyond his practice. He has served on the boards of the Ohio Association of Justice and The Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys. Nationally, he is a member of the American Association for Justice’s “Leadership Forum.”
Jay is a respected authority in his field and frequently speaks at international conferences for medical and legal groups. He has published chapters in Comprehensive Gynecology, addressing medical-legal issues and risk management related to birth injuries.
He has also contributed to medical textbooks, serving as a reviewer for:
The Sixth Edition of Fetal Monitoring, a Multidisciplinary Approach
The Ninth Edition of Pocket Guide to Fetal Monitoring, a Multidisciplinary Approach
Outside of his legal work, Jay values spending quality time with his family, reminding us that life’s greatest treasures are found in our personal connections.
In the News
Elk & Elk among best employers in Ohio for 2023 – July 5, 2023
Lawsuit: Workers at local burger eatery robbed customer – May 2, 2023
Top Lawyers: Jay Kelley of Elk & Elk On The 5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law – Jan. 30, 2023
Elk & Elk preps for formal transition in leadership – May 20, 2018
Areas of Practice
Personal Injury
Medical Malpractice
Birth Injury
Catastrophic Claims
Bar Admissions
Ohio, 1993
U.S. Federal Courts, 1995
U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 1995
Education
University of Akron School of Law, Akron, Ohio
Juris Doctorate – 1993
College of Wooster
B.A., Bachelor of Arts – 1990
Published Works
Mosby’s Pocket Guide to Fetal Monitoring; a Multidisciplinary Approach, Ninth Edition, Reviewer
Gershenson, Lentz, Valea, Lobo, 8th Edition Comprehensive Gynecology, Medical-Legal Risk Management, 2022
Mosby’s Fetal Monitoring; a Multidisciplinary Approach, Sixth Edition, Reviewer
Katz, 6th Edition Comprehensive Gynecology, Medical-Legal Issues, 2011
Lobo, Gershenson, Lentz, Valea, 7th Edition Comprehensive Gynecology, Medical-Legal Risk Management, 2017
Honors and Awards
“Lawyer of the Year” in Cleveland – 2021
Medical Malpractice Law
University Hospitals Embryo Litigation – 2018
Selected as Liason/Lead Counsel on behalf of all claimants
The Best Lawyers in America® Inclusion – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Medical Malpractice Law
Personal Injury Litigation
America’s Top 100 Attorneys
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum-Member
Million Dollar Advocates Forum-Member
Top 50 Cleveland Super Lawyers – 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Ohio Super Lawyers – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Top 100 Ohio Super Lawyers – 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating – 5.0/5.0 AV/ Preeminent
Top 5 Cleveland Super Lawyers – 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Top 10 Ohio Super Lawyers – 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Elite Lawyers of America-Platinum Member (10 or more $2 million dollar results)
American Association for Justice Top 100 Ohio 2008-2011
Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (Recertified 2011)
Professional Associations and Memberships
Ohio State Bar Association
Academy of Trial Attorneys
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association-Fellow
The Ohio Association of Justice (OAJ) Board of Trustees, 2009-2010
Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist
American Association of Justice: Leaders Forum
