Jim Kelley has been associated with Neal & Harwell since 1990. He handles legal matters on behalf of corporate and individual clients throughout the United States. His practice focuses on bankruptcy and reorganization, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy litigation and taxation. Jim is a Fellow for the American College of Bankruptcy and is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for his work in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy, and Tax Law.

Jim’s service extends beyond the firm, as he has been a long-time volunteer and leader for numerous civic and professional organizations, including: Nashville CARES, Past President and Board of Directors; Oasis Center, Past President and Board of Directors; Family and Children’s Service, Past President and Board of Directors; OZ Arts Nashville, Member of Board of Trustees; Greenways for Nashville, Past President and Board of Directors; and American Bankruptcy Institute, Member and Past Chair of Taxation Committee. Jim has received numerous recognitions for his dedication and service to the non-profit community including the first Nashville CARES Iris Buhl Philanthropy Award.


Representative Matters:
  • American Hospitality Corporation
  • Bank of America, N.A.
  • FirstBank
  • GenCap America, Inc.
  • Guy Brown Management, LLC
  • Regions Bank Corporate Trust
  • Reliant Bank
  • The Family Office, LLC
  • Wells Fargo Bank
Professional & Civic Affiliations
  • American Bar Association – Member
  • Tennessee Bar Association – Member
  • Nashville Bar Association – Member
  • American College of Bankruptcy – Fellow and Former Member of Board of Directors
  • Nashville Bar Foundation – Fellow
  • American Bankruptcy Institute – Member and Former Chair of Taxation Committee
  • Mid-South Commercial Law Institute – Former Director and President
  • OZ Arts Nashville – Member of Board of Trustees
  • Oasis Center – Former President and Member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors
  • Nashville CARES – Former President and Member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors
  • Greenways for Nashville – Former President and Member of Board of Directors
  • Richland West End Neighborhood Association – Member of the Board of Directors and Former President
  • Sonata Financial Holdings, Inc. – Member of Board of Directors
  • Reliant Bank – Former Member of the Board of Directors
  • Reliant Bancshares, Inc. – Former Member of the Board of Directors
  • Watkins College – Former Member of the Board of Trustees
  • Family and Children’s Service – Former Member of the Board of Directors and Former President
  • American Friends of Chantilly – Former Member of the Board of Directors
  • The Best Lawyers in America® 2023-2024 – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Litigation – Bankruptcy & Tax Law
Education
  • Emory Law School, 1977, LL.M. in Taxation
  • Emory Law School, 1975, J.D. with distinction; member of the Order of the Coif
  • Vanderbilt University, 1970, Major in mathematics and minors in computer science and philosophy