Kelly & Co.
2 lawyers · Waterloo Region
One of 58 law firms listed in Waterloo, and one of 23 handling Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution.
About Kelly & Co.
Kelly & Co. is a full-service law firm in Uptown Waterloo that serves clients across Waterloo Region and the surrounding area. Its work runs from civil litigation and family law to business and commercial law, employment, personal injury, wills and estates, real estate, and municipal, administrative, and human rights matters, along with appellate litigation, criminal defence, and enforcement and collections. Lawyers work alongside licensed paralegals, law clerks, and administrative staff, and the firm says it aims to explain both the benefits and the risks of a matter before settling on an approach.
The firm carries the name of its founder, John Joseph Kelly, LL.B., Q.C., who was called to the bar in 1951 and practised law for sixty-three years. The founder served as City Solicitor for Sudbury and later as solicitor for the Waterloo County Board of Education and the City of Kitchener, and held Certified Specialist designations in criminal and civil litigation. Kelly & Co. has served the region for more than seventy years, and today it handles everything from preventive advice to trials and appeals.
Practice areas
Milestones & recognition
- Founded by John Joseph Kelly, who was called to the bar in 1951 and went on to practise law for sixty-three years.
- John Joseph Kelly served as City Solicitor for Sudbury and later as solicitor for the Waterloo County Board of Education and the City of Kitchener.
- The founder held Certified Specialist designations in criminal and civil litigation and argued cases through all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal.
- John Joseph Kelly received the Law Society Medal and held lifetime membership in the Law Society of Upper Canada.
- From 1991 to 2022, a lawyer at the firm held the Law Society of Ontario's Certified Specialist designation in family law.
In the community
- A partner at the firm has served as a director of the Children's Aid Society of the Waterloo Region and spent about ten years on the board of the Family and Children's Services of Waterloo Region Foundation.
Good to know
Wheelchair accessibleThis firm’s lawyers at a glance
- Called to the bar
- 1991–2022 · median 19 years in practice 2 of 2 lawyers
- Law schools
- Queen's University, University of New South Wales 2 of 2 lawyers
Who handles what
The neighbourhood
The firm's office is on the eighth floor of the Marsland Centre, at 20 Erb Street West in the heart of Uptown Waterloo. The building rises thirteen storeys and stands among the banks, shops, and offices that make up the city's commercial core. It's a member of the Uptown Waterloo Business Improvement Area, and the building's owners call it a Waterloo landmark.
Getting there is easy enough. The Marsland Centre has a two-level parking structure with visitor spaces and three elevators serving the upper floors, which helps for a firm whose litigation, family, and estates files bring clients in from across the region.
Frequently asked questions
- What kinds of legal matters does Kelly & Co. handle?
- It's a full-service firm. The practice covers civil litigation, family law, business and commercial law, employment law, personal injury, wills and estates, real estate, municipal and administrative law, human rights, criminal defence, appellate litigation, and enforcement and collections.
- Does the firm handle divorce, custody, and other family law matters?
- Yes. Family law is one of the firm's core areas, and for three decades, from 1991 to 2022, a lawyer at the firm held the Law Society of Ontario's Certified Specialist designation in family law.
- Can Kelly & Co. represent me in court, including on an appeal?
- Yes. The firm lists appellate litigation among its practice areas, and its lawyers have appeared through all levels of court in Ontario, including the Court of Appeal.
- Where is the office, and is there parking?
- The office is in Suite 803 of the Marsland Centre at 20 Erb Street West in Uptown Waterloo. The building has a two-level parking structure with visitor spaces. You can reach the firm at (519) 579-3360.
- Is the office accessible for people who use assistive devices?
- Yes. The firm's contact page states that its facilities are fully accessible for assistive devices.
- How long has Kelly & Co. been part of Waterloo Region?
- The firm carries the name of its founder, John Joseph Kelly, who was called to the bar in 1951, and it has served the region for more than seventy years.
Where to find them
Marsland Centre, 20 Erb Street West, Suite 803, Waterloo, ON N2L 1T2 · 519-579-3360
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Criminal DefenceFamily LawListing compiled from the firm’s public website in July 2026. Verify licence status in the Law Society of Ontario directory ↗