Hon. Bruce R. Kelsey , Ret. - Lisle, IL

Overview

Bruce began his legal career in 1973 as a tax associate at the Chicago firm of Coopers and Lybrand, a Big Eight Accounting Firm. In the fall of 1974, he moved to the West Chicago firm of Harold J. Spelman and Associates. He specialized in estate planning, taxes and general litigation. The firm had an extensive and varied practice, with emphasis on municipal law, real estate, personal injury and litigation.

While representing the city of West Chicago, the firm, with Bruce as lead counsel, was involved in the removal from the city of West Chicago of the largest low level radioactive waste site in the us, a billion dollar project.

He has argued cases in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and is licensed to practice before the US Supreme Court.

In addition to being city attorney in the mid-1980's, Bruce represented other municipal units of government.

Bruce practiced in his own firm from 1985 until his appointment as an Associate Judge in 2002. In his 29 years of private practice, Bruce tried numerous jury trials, bench trials and arbitrations. He has closed well over 2000 real estate or commercial transactions. His practice included personal injury matters, divorce and criminal defense.

For the last fifteen years, Bruce was an associate judge in DuPage county. His judicial experience included serving as supervising judge in arbitration, special services, drug court and micap. He served in courtrooms in divorce domestic violence, dui and misdemeanor. He has lectured for many judicial and attorney seminars.