Paul T. Kelly is one of two attorneys who will receive the Honorable Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award at the CBA’s annual awards ceremony, Celebrate with the Stars, on Wednesday, April 9.
Attorney Kelly is the founder and sole practitioner of FrontLaw PLLC in Wethersfield, where he focuses on landlord/tenant law. His call to serve others began almost 20 years ago when he enlisted active duty in the United States Army and served tours of duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a platoon leader, Attorney Kelly successfully mentored several of his soldiers, helping them obtain a company-wide record of 30 college credits during their time in the United States and Iraq. In his next leadership role as company commander, he was responsible for the health and welfare of over 200 soldiers over the course of two years, one spent in the United States and one spent in Afghanistan. Attorney Kelly departed the Army with two Bronze Star Medals and the Meritorious Service Medal.
After his military career, Attorney Kelly obtained an EMT license, providing his services to Wethersfield’s Volunteer Ambulance Association and with emergency medical services in New Haven. In 2021 he founded FrontLaw PLLC with the idea of focusing on aiding veterans experiencing legal issues and post-combat health issues such as PTSD. Attorney Kelly received his law degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Ithaca College.
Attorney Kelly has worked with the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center to provide significant pro bono legal representation to disabled veterans living with mental health challenges and facing summary process evictions. Through the course of his pro bono work, he has helped several veterans who were suffering from addiction and facing eviction, preventing them from losing housing and assisting them in accessing addiction recovery programs. The same selflessness that motivated Attorney Kelly’s military service is evident in his pro bono service to his fellow veterans and his approach to the practice of law.
The Honorable Anthony V. DeMayo Pro Bono Award recognizes CBA members who demonstrated dedication to the provision of legal services without expectation of payment to those in need.
View the full list of this year’s awardees
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