Kelley Durham, an empathetic and committed attorney specializing in serious and catastrophic personal injury law, leads the dedicated team at K Durham Law PLLC. With over 24 years of experience in personal injury, she has spent 17 of those years establishing herself as a leading figure in the field.
Beginning as a legal assistant in a personal injury firm, her passion for the law ignited. Progressing through roles, she became a paralegal and later an associate attorney after earning her Juris Doctorate from Texas A & M School of Law, graduating early. Post-law school, she further refined her skills as an associate. Recognizing the opportunity to make a significant impact advocating for personal injury victims, Kelley founded the successful law firm, K Durham Law PLLC, in 2015.
Admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States of America, Supreme Court of Arizona, U.S. District Court of Arizona, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Attorney Durham’s comprehensive qualifications underscore her proficiency and standing in the legal community.
A member of prestigious organizations such as the Arizona State Bar, Arizona Association of Justice, American Bar Association, National Trial Lawyers, and Phi Alpha Delta, Kelley has earned accolades for her exceptional legal prowess. Recognitions include being named in the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 40 under 40, Premier Lawyers of America’s Top 1% of Attorneys in America for Personal Injury Litigation, and the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys’ Arizona Top 10 under 40. Her achievements extend to various publications and awards, including being listed among the top 25 law firms in Arizona by Phoenix Entrepreneur Magazine in 2021, recognized as a Woman to Watch by SoScottsdale Magazine in 2023, and being honored as a Leading Lawyer in 2021 and 2023 by SoScottsdale Magazine. Kelley’s impact is further acknowledged by her inclusion in the KNOW book, featuring influential women in Arizona’s business scene.
Acknowledged as the Lawyer of the Year in 2023 by the American Institute of Legal Professionals, Kelley Durham has seamlessly balanced her thriving law practice with extensive community involvement. Serving on the City of Mesa Judicial Advisory Board, she is also a Steering Committee member for the Arizona Women Lawyers Association and a Maricopa County Bar Association Board Member.
Beyond her legal commitments, Kelley actively contributes to the community, dedicating her time to the Arizona Foundation for Women’s SHE Leads! program, a six-month women’s leadership initiative. She oversees mentor recruitment and vetting, creating a streamlined system for mentor-participant matching each year.
Kelley’s philanthropic endeavors extend to her role on the Board of the Phoenix Zoo Auxiliary, where she served as the past president. Involved in various fundraisers, such as Paw prints in glass and Animals After Dark: An Aerial Experience, she was honored with the Spirit of Philanthropy Award in 2021 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for her exceptional contributions to the Phoenix Zoo’s conservation efforts.
In her free time, Kelley embraces her love for volunteering, avidly supports the Phoenix Zoo, and enjoys unique experiences like diving with sharks. An enthusiastic baseball fan, she often travels locally and abroad, choosing destinations based on baseball events or the opportunity to encounter fascinating animals. Alongside her pursuits, she relishes spending quality time with her dog, Megatron.
Bringing Justice with Compassion
K Durham Law PLLC, a specialized small firm, is committed to advocating for individuals who have suffered serious or catastrophic injuries through no fault of their own. Their expertise covers a range of cases, including trucking crashes, automobile accidents, slip and falls, negligent security matters, dog mauling, medical malpractice, and vaccine injury cases.
Kelley prioritizes the pursuit of justice for each client, recognizing that serious injuries can lead to life-altering experiences. Such injuries often result in persistent post-injury pain, hindering basic daily tasks, causing prolonged unemployment, and requiring regular medical treatment.
In situations where the injury is not the fault of the individual, seeking compensation for the endured pain and suffering becomes a rightful pursuit. Attorney Durham and her team are devoted to providing compassionate yet assertive personalized representation for each client. They take the time to understand clients on an individual level, accurately assessing injuries and needs to effectively advocate for their best interests. This personalized approach allows K Durham Law PLLC to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact on clients and their families, maximizing their recoveries.
With an individualized approach, each case is handled based on its unique set of facts, recognizing the distinctiveness of each client and situation. Clients contacting K Durham Law PLLC are not treated as mere files or case numbers. Attorney Durham’s exceptional bedside manner and service-oriented focus set her apart in advocating for her clients.
Continuous Growth and Learning
Kelley embraces a continuous journey of growth and learning, recognizing the value in gleaning insights from everyone she encounters. She believes that by actively listening and asking questions, there’s always something to learn from others. Travel, one of her favorite activities, provides her with an opportunity to absorb different perspectives, cultures, and ways of life. According to Attorney Durham, this openness to diverse viewpoints is crucial in negotiations and defusing tense situations. She emphasizes the importance of understanding why people think the way they do, even if one doesn’t necessarily agree with them.
Kelley actively seeks constructive criticism, viewing it as a valuable tool for learning and development. Committed to staying abreast of the latest topics and trends in the personal injury field, she invests time and resources in ongoing education.
Recognizing the significance of a strong network, Kelley surrounds herself with individuals who are smarter or more successful, viewing them as opportunities for learning and growth. She firmly believes that if she is the most accomplished person in the room, it’s the wrong room.
Kelley identifies qualities lacking in some emerging leaders, such as a dearth of open-mindedness, understanding of those around them, and appreciation for the contributions of others. She highlights the importance of being receptive to feedback and criticism for personal growth. Understanding people’s perspectives is essential for effective communication, and expressing gratitude for the efforts of those around you is vital in fostering positive relationships. Kelley stresses that failure to communicate appreciation may lead to feelings of being undervalued, potentially causing unwanted issues in the professional environment.
Overcoming Gender Bias
The most prominent obstacle in Kelley’s career has been gender bias, with her leadership abilities often questioned because she is a woman. Historically, trial lawyers were predominantly men, leaving Kelley without female role models when she was younger. Today, she is part of a diverse community of trial lawyers, both men and women, across the country. This network provides her with valuable support and resources, enabling her to seek advice and assistance in navigating various situations.
Advocacy, Leadership, and Positive Change in the Legal Sphere
Kelley advocates for increased representation of women in leadership roles within companies, believing that diverse leadership brings a wealth of knowledge, varied perspectives, and innovative problem-solving approaches. The presence of leaders from diverse backgrounds not only enhances internal dynamics but also improves external relations, fostering creativity and generating innovative solutions to challenges.
In her role as the managing trial lawyer at K Durham Law PLLC, Kelley shoulders numerous responsibilities. Overseeing legal proceedings, managing a team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, and developing case strategies are integral aspects of her position. Kelley is also actively engaged in negotiations and courtroom representation for clients. Ensuring adherence to legal ethics, maintaining a collaborative work environment, staying abreast of relevant laws, and cultivating strong client relationships are essential components of her role.
Kelley’s favorite moments in her daily work involve conveying positive news to clients, whether it be settling their case or explaining how their case has influenced positive changes in a company’s policies and practices, ultimately contributing to a safer environment for others. Her dedication to achieving favorable outcomes for clients and upholding the firm’s reputation for excellence in personal injury litigation underscores the importance of effective communication, leadership, and strategic decision-making in her role.
Insights on Leadership as a Woman
Kelley acknowledges the challenges of being a woman leader, facing gender biases and stereotypes. Striking a balance between assertiveness and likability is a constant challenge, with women often held to different standards than their male counterparts. Kelley has experienced exclusion from networking events and having her ideas dismissed, only to be embraced when presented by a male colleague.
Over the years, she has learned to find confidence from within and not seek validation from others. However, she stresses the importance of surrounding oneself with a supportive community, avoiding those who tear others down. Kelley believes in creating an inner circle that uplifts and empowers, recognizing the significance of positive support in navigating the unique challenges faced by women leaders.
Definition of Success
Kelley believes success varies for each person. For her, success involves achieving objectives, learning from mistakes, and making a positive impact on her community. While she feels she has met some objectives, she recognizes the ongoing work ahead.
Initially, acknowledging successes was challenging for Kelley, as she viewed them merely as steps toward evolving goals. Now, she breaks down tasks into steps, appreciating each one. She’s learned to celebrate both small and significant successes, even if the journey wasn’t always smooth. Kelley values recognizing accomplishments at every stage of her pursuit, fostering a mindset that appreciates progress, both big and small.
Fostering Growth
Kelley’s plans for K Durham Law PLLC are clear-cut. The firm is committed to serving and advocating for the community, offering exceptional legal representation to clients. The goal is to bring about positive change through legal expertise, volunteering, and contributions to local charitable organizations. Additionally, K Durham Law PLLC looks forward to ongoing mentorship and support for emerging generations of lawyers and community leaders, contributing to the growth and development of the legal profession and the community at large.
Wisdom for Future Legal Leaders
Kelley’s advice to the next generation of legal leaders is succinct yet profound: Surround yourself with great people, prioritize listening over speaking, and be open to diverse perspectives. Embrace the positive aspects of your journey and avoid fixating on the negatives. Instead, see challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, fostering a mindset that contributes to personal and professional development.
