Johanna Kelley, Esq.
Founder and Managing Attorney of J Kelley Law Group
A Bilingual Attorney With International Legal Experience
Johanna Kelley, Esq. brings a broad legal background shaped by her work in Colombia and the United States. Before founding J Kelley Law Group, she developed experience across multiple areas of law, public policy, human rights advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and immigration-related service.
Her career reflects a deep understanding of complex legal systems, cross-cultural issues, and the real challenges individuals, families, organizations, and businesses face when navigating important legal matters.
Legal Experience Across the United States and Colombia
Johanna began her legal career in Colombia, where she practiced labor, constitutional, administrative, human rights, international law, and international business law. Her work included advising private companies, local and international human rights organizations, governmental agencies, the Colombian Army, and grassroots community organizations.
Through this experience, she worked on matters involving legal strategy, public policy, human rights, institutional support, and international affairs. She also prepared and accompanied cases involving Colombian citizens before the Organization of American States, giving her a strong foundation in advocacy, legal analysis, and the protection of individual rights.
A Legal Career Built Around Advocacy and Service
Johanna’s legal background has always been connected to service, leadership, and advocacy. After immigrating to the United States, she continued building her career around immigrant rights, community empowerment, and the connection between law and public policy.
Her experience with nonprofit organizations, immigrant communities, and the U.S. immigration system helped shape the client-focused approach she later brought to J Kelley Law Group. Today, her work as Founder and Managing Attorney is guided by the same commitment: helping clients feel informed, supported, and prepared as they move through the legal process.
Immigration Law, Government Experience, and Client Advocacy
Johanna Kelley, Esq. brings a unique perspective to immigration law through her combined experience in private legal practice, public policy, nonprofit advocacy, and government service. Before founding J Kelley Law Group, she worked with immigrant communities, led legal empowerment initiatives, and served in a management role with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
This background gives her a strong understanding of the responsibility, preparation, and attention to detail required in immigration matters. Her work is guided by a commitment to helping clients understand their options, prepare their cases carefully, and move through the legal process with confidence and clarity.
Experience With USCIS and the U.S. Immigration System
From July 2016 to November 2017, Johanna worked in a management role with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security / USCIS. This professional experience gave her direct insight into the structure, responsibility, and seriousness of the U.S. immigration system.
Her time with USCIS strengthened her understanding of how important organized documentation, clear communication, and careful case preparation can be in immigration matters. Today, she brings that knowledge to her leadership at J Kelley Law Group, where the firm is committed to guiding clients with professionalism, honesty, and attention to detail.
Founder of J Kelley Law Group
After her government service, Johanna founded J Kelley Law Group in late 2017 to continue serving individuals, families, businesses, and investors navigating immigration and other legal matters. She built the firm with a focus on professionalism, ethical service, teamwork, and client-centered representation.
Her leadership combines legal knowledge, public policy experience, and a deep commitment to helping clients understand their options and move through the legal process with clarity. Under her direction, J Kelley Law Group works to provide thoughtful guidance, strong preparation, and compassionate support to clients facing important legal decisions.
A Career Dedicated to Immigrant Rights and Legal Empowerment
Johanna Kelley, Esq. has built much of her career around immigrant rights, legal empowerment, and community service. Before founding J Kelley Law Group, she worked closely with immigrant communities in North Carolina and helped develop programs focused on education, advocacy, legal access, and public policy.
Her work in the nonprofit and community sector reflects a long-standing commitment to helping individuals and families better understand their rights, access legal support, and feel more prepared when facing important immigration and legal matters.
Founder and Executive Director of D.E.A.R. Foundation
In 2013, Johanna founded D.E.A.R. Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to protect immigrant rights and promote social justice through legal empowerment. The organization provided educational programs, legal clinics, community workshops, advocacy initiatives, and legal support for immigrant communities in North Carolina.
Through D.E.A.R. Foundation, Johanna helped serve more than 3,800 immigrants in North Carolina and supported more than 1,000 people through pro bono or low bono legal representation. This work shows her deep commitment to service, access to justice, and practical legal support for communities that often need clear guidance and trusted advocacy.
Immigrants served in North Carolina through legal empowerment initiatives
People supported through pro bono or low bono legal representation
Supporting Immigrant Communities Before Founding the Firm
Before opening J Kelley Law Group, Johanna also worked with immigrant-rights and community-based organizations in North Carolina, including El Centro Latino. Her work included program development, community empowerment, public policy analysis, advocacy, and support for Latino and immigrant communities.
This experience helped shape the way she leads J Kelley Law Group today. Johanna understands that legal matters are not only about forms, deadlines, and procedures. They often involve families, futures, businesses, opportunities, and deeply personal decisions. Her background in community service and immigrant advocacy continues to guide the firm’s commitment to serving clients with professionalism, compassion, and clarity.
Education and Legal Credentials
Johanna Kelley, Esq. brings a strong academic and professional foundation to her work as Founder and Managing Attorney of J Kelley Law Group. Her education includes advanced legal and public policy training from Duke University, along with her original law degree from Colombia.
Her credentials reflect the international, bilingual, and policy-focused background that shapes her leadership and client-centered approach to legal representation.
Duke University School of Law
Johanna earned a Master of Laws, LL.M., from Duke University School of Law. Her legal studies connected closely with immigration law, international law, public interest work, and pro bono legal service.
During her time at Duke Law, she strengthened her understanding of the U.S. legal system while building on the international legal experience she had already developed in Colombia.
Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy
Johanna also earned a Master of International Development Policy from Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. Her studies focused on law and development, public policy, and development management.
This public policy background supports her ability to understand legal matters within a broader social, institutional, and human context, especially in cases involving immigration, international issues, and community impact.
Santo Tomas University
Johanna received her law degree from Santo Tomas University in Colombia, where she began the legal foundation that would shape her international career.
Her Colombian legal education prepared her to work across areas such as labor law, constitutional law, administrative law, human rights, international law, and international business law before continuing her professional path in the United States.
Bar Admissions
Johanna is admitted to practice law in Maryland, New York, and Colombia. Her legal credentials reflect her international background and her ability to serve clients with a broad understanding of both U.S. and international legal systems.
Leadership Beyond the Law Firm
Johanna Kelley, Esq. has built a professional career that extends beyond private legal practice. Her work includes public policy, media analysis, community leadership, nonprofit service, government experience, and international legal consulting.
This broader leadership background reflects her ability to understand legal issues not only from the perspective of an attorney, but also through the lens of public systems, immigrant communities, international affairs, and client advocacy.
Public Policy, Media, and Community Leadership
Johanna has been actively involved in public discussions about law, policy, immigration, and Latin American affairs. She hosted the television program “Batalla Política” on the international news channel NTN24 and has served as an analyst and commentator for Hispanic media outlets including Telemundo, Caracol Televisión, Univisión, and RCN News.
Since 2020, Johanna has also served as an external legal consultant for the Consulate of Colombia. Her professional involvement has included membership or affiliation with organizations such as the New York State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Hispanic/Latino Affairs of North Carolina, and the National Association of Professional Women.
Through these roles, Johanna has remained connected to legal advocacy, public policy, immigrant communities, and international issues. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to service, informed legal guidance, and meaningful community engagement.
Bilingual Legal Guidance for Spanish-Speaking Clients
Johanna’s bilingual background allows her to serve English- and Spanish-speaking clients with clear communication, cultural understanding, and professional care. For many clients, being able to speak with a legal team that understands their language and background can make the legal process feel less overwhelming.
At J Kelley Law Group, this bilingual and culturally informed approach is an important part of the firm’s client service. Johanna leads with the belief that clients should feel heard, respected, and informed as they make important decisions about their future, their families, their businesses, and their legal matters.
How Johanna Kelley Leads J Kelley Law Group
Johanna Kelley, Esq. leads J Kelley Law Group with a focus on preparation, ethics, communication, teamwork, and helping clients understand each step of the legal process. Her leadership reflects the experience she has built across private legal practice, government service, nonprofit advocacy, public policy, and international legal work.
At the firm, Johanna’s approach is centered on giving clients clear guidance, organized support, and respectful service during legal matters that may affect their families, businesses, immigration goals, and future opportunities.
Professionalism, Ethics, and Team-Based Service
As Founder and Managing Attorney, Johanna believes that strong legal representation requires more than legal knowledge. It also requires preparation, honesty, careful communication, and a team that understands the importance of every client’s case.
She leads J Kelley Law Group with a commitment to professional and ethical service. Her goal is to make sure clients feel informed, respected, and supported as they move through the legal process. Under her leadership, the firm works as a team to review details carefully, prepare cases thoughtfully, and provide guidance with clarity and care.
A Client-Focused Approach to Legal Representation
Johanna’s client-focused approach is built around clear communication, honest guidance, organized case preparation, respectful bilingual support, and a team committed to each client’s legal matter.
Clients who work with J Kelley Law Group can expect a legal team that takes time to understand their situation, explain the process in a way that is easier to follow, and help them prepare for important steps in their case. This approach reflects Johanna’s belief that clients should not feel alone or confused when facing legal decisions. They should feel guided, prepared, and treated with professionalism from beginning to end.
Practice Areas Connected to Johanna Kelley’s Leadership
Johanna Kelley, Esq. leads J Kelley Law Group with a broad legal background that supports the firm’s work across immigration, international matters, and client-focused legal services. Her experience in immigration law, international law, public policy, government service, and community advocacy helps shape the way the firm serves individuals, families, businesses, and investors.
Under her leadership, J Kelley Law Group is committed to providing clear guidance, organized preparation, and professional support for clients facing important legal decisions.
– Immigration Law
Immigration law is one of the strongest areas connected to Johanna’s professional background and leadership. Because immigration law is federal, J Kelley Law Group can assist clients with immigration matters across the United States, while also maintaining a strong local presence through its offices serving Maryland and North Carolina communities.
The firm helps individuals, families, and businesses navigate immigration processes with careful preparation, bilingual communication, and a client-centered approach. From family-based immigration matters to complex immigration questions, Johanna’s leadership helps guide a team focused on clarity, professionalism, and support.
– International Business and Investment-Related Legal Guidance
Johanna’s background in international law, international business law, public policy, and cross-border legal matters gives her a strong foundation for understanding the needs of clients with business, investment, and international concerns.
Before founding J Kelley Law Group, she advised private companies and worked on matters involving international affairs, legal strategy, institutional support, and business-related legal issues. This experience supports the firm’s ability to serve clients who may be navigating legal questions connected to immigration, investment, business planning, or international opportunities.
– Family and Personal Injury Support Through the JKLG Team
As Founder and Managing Attorney, Johanna also leads a team that supports clients in other important legal matters, including family law and personal injury services in Maryland. While her strongest professional background is connected to immigration, international law, public policy, and advocacy, her leadership helps guide the firm’s broader commitment to client service.
Across its practice areas, J Kelley Law Group focuses on professionalism, preparation, communication, and helping clients feel supported through the legal process.
Serving Clients in Maryland, North Carolina, and Nationwide Immigration Matters
J Kelley Law Group serves clients through a strong local presence in Maryland and North Carolina, while also helping immigration clients across the United States. Because immigration law is federal, many immigration matters can be handled for clients nationwide, regardless of where they live.
Under Johanna Kelley’s leadership, the firm combines local accessibility with broad immigration experience, bilingual communication, and careful case preparation for individuals, families, businesses, and investors.
– Maryland Office
J Kelley Law Group serves clients in Maryland, including the Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village communities. Through its Maryland presence, the firm provides legal support for clients who need guidance with immigration matters, as well as family law and personal injury matters handled by the JKLG team in Maryland.
For many clients in Montgomery County and surrounding areas, the firm offers a trusted local point of contact with a bilingual team focused on clear communication, professionalism, and client-centered service.
– North Carolina Office
J Kelley Law Group also serves clients through its North Carolina presence in Raleigh. Johanna Kelley’s professional history in North Carolina includes years of work with immigrant communities, nonprofit leadership, public policy, and legal empowerment initiatives.
Today, the Raleigh connection remains an important part of the firm’s work, especially for immigration clients, Spanish-speaking families, and individuals seeking experienced guidance from a team that understands both the legal process and the communities it serves.
– Nationwide Immigration Representation
Immigration law is federal, which means J Kelley Law Group can assist immigration clients across the United States. Clients do not need to live in Maryland or North Carolina to seek help from the firm with an immigration matter.
Whether a client is applying for a family-based immigration benefit, seeking adjustment of status, preparing for consular processing, pursuing humanitarian immigration relief, or navigating another immigration process, the firm works to provide organized guidance, careful preparation, and support throughout the case.
Trusted Legal Leadership Rooted in Experience and Service
Johanna Kelley, Esq. brings together international legal experience, immigration knowledge, public policy insight, government service, nonprofit leadership, and a deep commitment to client-focused representation. Her background allows her to lead J Kelley Law Group with professionalism, preparation, and a strong understanding of the people, families, businesses, and communities the firm serves.
Through her leadership, J Kelley Law Group continues to provide legal guidance built on clarity, ethics, bilingual communication, and careful attention to each client’s situation. Whether serving clients in Maryland, North Carolina, or immigration clients across the United States, the firm remains focused on helping people feel informed, supported, and prepared throughout the legal process.