Madeline Kelley - Mayfield Heights, OH

Madeline Kelley joined Elk + Elk in 2026, bringing a high-caliber background in litigation and a proven track record of courtroom success to the firm’s personal injury and medical malpractice teams. With a career rooted in advocacy, Madeline offers a multifaceted perspective shaped by her experience in both state and federal litigation. Her ability to navigate complex legal landscapes, from medical malpractice to criminal investigations, makes her a powerful asset to the firm and a dedicated champion for those seeking justice.

A Foundation of Excellence in Trial Advocacy

Madeline’s legal journey is defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence in the courtroom. While attending the Case Western Reserve School of Law, she distinguished herself as one of the top trial advocates in the country. As the Vice President of Operations for the Johnathan Ault Mock Trial Team and lead attorney in the National Trial Competition, she achieved a top 10 national ranking out of over 1,000 competing students. This early success was not just about accolades; it reflected her ability to master complex case files under immense pressure, a skill she now applies to every client matter at Elk + Elk.

Her exceptional performance earned her the International Academy of Trial Lawyer’s Award, recognizing her as the outstanding advocate of her graduating class. This commitment to superior representation is the cornerstone of her practice today.

Diverse Litigation Experience and Legal Experience

Before joining Elk + Elk, Madeline developed extensive litigation experience at an AmLaw 100 law firm, where she worked on complex, high-exposure matters and participated in multimillion-dollar trials. There, she gained firsthand experience managing every phase of litigation, from initial investigation and case strategy through discovery, expert development, trial preparation, and resolution.

Madeline has experience taking and defending depositions, coordinating with and retaining expert witnesses, and assisting in qualifying experts in high-stakes litigation. She worked closely with trial teams on large-scale cases involving substantial damages exposure, learning how to strategically and efficiently work a file from open to close while balancing the procedural and evidentiary demands of sophisticated litigation.

In addition to her AmLaw 100 experience, Madeline honed her skills across a wide variety of litigation areas, including medical malpractice, personal injury, and insurance law. Her background as in-house counsel and her time clerking for University Hospitals provided her with a unique perspective on institutional operations and healthcare protocols. This experience allows her to identify the critical details in medical records, corporate practices, and healthcare systems that are often key to proving negligence.

Madeline also possesses a deep understanding of the investigative process. Her work with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office in the Cold Case Sexual Assault Investigation Unit and her time with the United States Attorney’s Office gave her frontline experience handling sensitive, high-stakes matters requiring precision, discretion, and strategic analysis. Whether navigating state or federal court, Madeline’s comprehensive legal foundation ensures her clients receive sophisticated and strategic advocacy.

A Global Perspective Rooted in Community

A graduate of the University of Richmond with a degree in Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, and Law (PPEL), Madeline’s academic background emphasizes critical thinking and ethical advocacy. Her studies at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain, helped her gain proficiency in Spanish, allowing her to effectively communicate with and serve a broader range of the Ohio community.

At Elk + Elk, Madeline leverages her diverse experiences to provide compassionate and tenacious representation. She understands that the legal process can be overwhelming for those dealing with life-changing injuries, and she is committed to guiding her clients through every step of their journey with clarity and authority.