Kelly A. Johnson Partner

Kelly A. Johnson dedicates her practice exclusively to the representation of policyholders in complex insurance disputes, navigating issues involving all lines of coverage. Kelly’s litigation and appellate practice includes successful resolution of cases in multiple jurisdictions in both state and all levels of federal courts. Kelly consistently generates high-quality and creative legal analyses and work product for commercial policyholders, primarily for clients in the construction and real estate industries.

Kelly joined SDV with a diverse range of experience in business contracts, construction claims, copyright infringement, and claims under bankruptcy law and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. She has tried and mediated several high-value matters to a successful conclusion, including a claim arising from strategic defaults on multiple business loans that resulted in judgments in excess of $15 million.

Kelly has represented policyholder clients under a wide variety of insurance policies, including commercial general liability, builder’s risk, commercial property, homeowner’s, crime, and cyber insurance policies.

Representative cases that exemplify Kelly’s policyholder advocacy include:

• Representation of a high-end residential construction company in a construction defect lawsuit involving a general liability policy, which included the preparation of special jury instructions and an itemized verdict form
• Expedient resolution of litigation involving commercial building property damage
• Serving as primary coverage counsel for the largest owner/operator of assisted care facilities throughout the southeast United States

As a resident of SDV’s Southeast office, Kelly is an active member of SDV’s Natural Disaster Recovery Practice Group and the firm’s Diversity, Equity &Inclusion Committee. She is a frequent publisher of academic articles in her areas of practice.

Kelly resides in her hometown of Naples, Florida, where she enjoys concerts, college football, and boating.