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  • Dolores (Dee) R. Kelley

    Dolores (Dee) R. Kelley

    Shareholder

    Dee is a Shareholder and Chair of the Commercial Real Estate Transactions and Land Development Groups at Stark & Stark. She handles a wide range of matters for the real estate industry, including commercial transactions, leasing, joint ventures, commercial condominium formations and governance, and land development applications.

    Dee also represents clients in the beer, wine, and spirits industries on a variety of issues, including corporate formation, financing, licensing leasing, acquisitions, and intellectual property law. She is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and The Pipeline and on the Board of Directors for the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce.

    Prior to joining Stark & Stark, Dee was Law Clerk to The Honorable F. Lee Forrester, J.S.C. of Mercer County, New Jersey, and served as a judicial intern to The Honorable Neil H. Shuster, P.J. Ch., of Mercer County.

    Bar/Court Admissions

    • New Jersey 
    • Pennsylvania
    • New York

    Education

    • J.D., Washington and Lee University School of Law, 2007
    • B.S., Finance, Pennsylvania State University, 2004

    Thought Leadership

    • Host/Moderator, Best Practices Summit. February 1-4, 2024.
    • Author, Five Under-the-Radar Title Issues that Cause Problems for New Jersey CRE Buyers. Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal Vol. 35, Issue 12. December 2023.
    • Presenter, Commercial Real Estate Fundamentals. Mercer County Bar Association Xtreme CLE. November 28, 2023.
    • Presenter, How to Assess and Cure Title Defects. National Business Institute Webinar. October 17, 2023.
    • Moderator, Retailer Insights on Commercial Real Estate. The Pipeline 7th Anniversary Celebration. September 27, 2023.
    • Host/Moderator, Best Practices Summit. February 2-5, 2023.
    • Featured, Women in Real Estate Wrap-Up. Commercial Construction & Renovation Issue #10. November 2022.
    • Moderator, Mixed-Use Trends & Challenges Panel4th Annual Philadelphia Commercial Real Estate Conference. Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Journal 4th Annual Philadelphia Commercial Real Estate Forecast. February 27, 2020.
    • Co-Author, Medical Leasing – Just What the Doctor Ordered for a Shopping CenterMid Atlantic Real Estate Journal. September 3, 2019.
    • Featured. The New Rules of Booze: Sea Changes Give Consumers, Makers More Choices. Philadelphia Business Journal. July 12, 2019.
    • Presenter. Beer & Spirits Issues. ICSC Law Conference. October 24-27, 2018.
    • Presenter. 2018 Retail Forecast. Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal. October 18, 2018.
    • Co-Author. 2018 Retail Forecast: Medical & Wellness Tenancies. Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal. April 27, 2018.
    • Featured. Optimism for Central NJ’s Real Estate Markets in 2018New Jersey Business. January 29, 2018.
    • Presenter. 2018 Central NJ Real Estate Forecast. Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce. January 26, 2018.
    • Author. Legal Considerations for Leasing or Purchasing Real Estate for DistilleriesDistiller Magazine. January 2018.
    • Moderator. 2nd Annual Philadelphia Commercial Real Estate Forecast Summit. Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal Event. September 14, 2017.
    • Co-Presenter. Craft Breweries and Distilleries: Opportunities for Shopping Centers. ICSC PA/NJ/DE Conference & Deal Making. September 12, 2017.
    • Featured. Delco Brewery Eyes Expansion with PA Tasting Room, Larger Production FacilityPhiladelphia Business Journal. July 19, 2017.
    • Presenter. Craft Breweries & Distilleries: Impact on Commercial Real Estate. Stark & Stark Real Estate MCE Seminar. April 26, 2017.
    • Presenter. Legal Issues and Challenges Facing Craft Breweries and Distilleries. February 16, 2017.
    • Presenter. Brewery and Distillery Law in New Jersey. NBI Seminar. December 12, 2016.
    • Co-Presenter. Considerations for Non-Profits from a Tax and Legal Perspective. Stark & Stark Klatzkin seminar. October 27, 2016.
    • Co-Author. Trademark Due Diligence – USPTO Registration Is a Key to Craft Brewery SuccessNJ.com. October 24, 2016.
    • Presenter. The Legal Effects of 1031 Exchanges, Tax Appeals and Tax Sale Certificates on Your Commercial Real Estate Transactions. Stark & Stark MCE Seminar. September 22, 2016.
    • Co-Presenter. Current & Pending Legislation for Craft Breweries/Distilleries. ICSC Conference & Deal Making. September 13, 2016.
    • Authored a chapter in the book: Moonshiner to Craft Distillery: Leading Lawyers on the Business of Distilling. Thomson Reuters. 2016.
    • Featured. Legal Eagle. MidJersey Business. June 2016.
    • Presenter. Considerations for Formation of Condominiums: From Documentation and Title to NJDCA Compliance. Mercer County Bar Association, Real Estate Section. April 19, 2016.
    • Author. Negotiation of Representations and Warranties: What is a Buyer to Do? New Jersey Law Journal. March 7, 2016.
    • Presenter. Creative Tax Strategies for Businesses. Stark & Stark and HBK Seminar. November 19, 2015.
    • Interviewed, Ask a Busy Person: Dolores R. Kelley, Shareholder, Stark & Stark. MidJersey Business. September 2, 2015.
    • Featured. Discussion of Stark & Stark and MIDJersey Chamber Young Professionals Connective. New Jersey Buzz Radio. January 25, 2015.
    • Presenter. 2014 Social Media Seminar. Chamber of Commerce. May 22, 2014.
    • Author. A Meticulously Drafted Real Estate Contract Can Protect A Purchaser from Costly Consequences of a Seller Favored Contract. U.S. 1. October 2013.
    • Author. As Interest Rates Increase, It’s Time to Consider Refinancing. Shopping Center Business Magazine. September 2013.
    • Presenter. Expanding Your Business? Considerations Before Adding an Owner to Your Solely Owned Business. Stark & Stark Women Attorney Seminar Series March 20, 2013.
    • Author. Improve Your Lease Agreement and Better Your Situation. U.S. 1. October 6, 2009.

    Honors & Awards

    • 2019 Young Professional of the Year issued by the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber.
    • New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars List issued by Thomson Reuters (Methodology)
      • 2014 – 2022; Business/Corporate, Banking, Real Estate: Business
    • 2016 Forty Under 40 Award issued by NJBIZ

    * No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

    Professional Organizations

    • International Council of Shopping Centers – Member
    • Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors
    • MIDJersey Chamber of Commerce – Board Member; Executive Committee (2017-2019); Young Professionals Connective – Co-Chair (2014 – 2015)
    • New Jersey State Bar Association
    • Mercer County Bar Association

    Community Organizations

    • Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton – Board of Trustees
    Business & Commercial Law Blog
    July 7, 2025
    New Jersey residents are familiar with the “Mansion Tax” and its companion, the “Controlling Interest Transfer Tax,” which were implemented...
    Firm News
    September 8, 2025
    Stark & Stark, PC, is excited to announce that Dolores (Dee) R. Kelley has been appointed to the law firm’s Management Team, As a member of the...
    Firm News
    April 1, 2025
    Shareholder, Dolores R. Kelley, Esq., recently moderated a panel at the New Jersey Retail and Mixed-Use Development Conference, held in Jersey City....
    Firm News
    January 12, 2024
    Stark & Stark is proud to announce Shareholder Dolores Kelley has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Princeton Mercer Regional...
    Firm News
    October 5, 2020
    The Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, has honored Stark & Stark as the "Corporate Citizen of the Year" at the annual Guardian Angel Benefit...
    Firm News
    August 8, 2016
    Stark & Stark is proud to congratulate Shareholder Dolores R. Kelley for being selected by NJBiz as a recipient of the 2016 Forty Under 40...

    Firm Highlights

    Stark & Stark Shareholder Deborah S. Dunn, Esq. Installed as 2nd Vice President and Diversity Officer of the New Jersey Association for Justice for 2026–2027

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Shareholder Deborah S. Dunn, Esq. has been installed as 2nd Vice President and Diversity Officer of the...

    Stark & Stark Recognized with Community Partner Award by Mercer County Community College Foundation

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that the firm has been recognized with the Community Partner Award by the Mercer County Community College...

    Carin A. O’Donnell, Esq. Inducted as 2026-2027 President of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Carin A. O'Donnell, Esq. was sworn in as the 2026-2027 President of the Pennsylvania Association for...

    Stark & Stark’s Thomas S. Onder, Esq. Receives 2026 ICSC Trustees’ Distinguished Service Award

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Thomas S. Onder, Esq., Shareholder and Chair of the Firm’s Shopping Center & Retail Development...

    Stark & Stark’s Joseph H. Lemkin Esq., Named 2026 Professional Lawyer of the Year for the Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Joseph H. Lemkin Esq. has been selected by the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law as...

    Our Values Remain: A Message on the Closing of Diversity Lab

    Stark & Stark is saddened and disappointed to learn that Diversity Lab, the organization that created and manages the Mansfield Certification...

    Congratulations to Shareholder Bhaveen R. Jani, Esq. on his Installation as Treasurer of the Middlesex County Bar Foundation

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Shareholder Bhaveen R. Jani, Esq. has been installed as Treasurer of the Middlesex County Bar Foundation,...

    Denise Mariani, Esq., and Jonathan Lauri, Esq. Secure $750,000 Jury Verdict Against Hamilton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

    It is our pleasure to announce that Denise Mariani, Esq., and Jonathan Lauri, Esq., secured a $750,000 jury verdict on behalf of a nursing home...

    Stark & Stark Welcomes 2026 Summer Law Clerks

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce its 10th Annual Summer Law Clerk Program. Five Summer Law Clerks will join the firm from June through July...

    Retail Development Team Secures Major Recovery for Landlord Client Amid Bankruptcy Dispute

    Our Shopping Center and Retail Development Group recently secured a multi-million-dollar settlement for a commercial landlord client' s property...

    Jeffrey A. Krawitz, Esq. and Catherine Foley, Esq. Secure $950,000 Settlement in Surgical Malpractice Matter

    Jeffrey A. Krawitz, Esq. and Catherine Foley, Esq. recently secured a confidential $950,000 settlement in a surgical malpractice case. “This...

    Victoria Wilton, Esq. Selected to Serve on New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Executive Committee

    We are proud to announce that Victoria Wilton, Esq. has been selected to serve on the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Executive Committee...