Vedder is an international business-focused law firm serving sophisticated clients of all sizes and industries from offices across the U.S. and in the UK and Asia.

A Business Focused Law Firm With a Global Reach | Vedder

General

Ariel (Ari) Kelly is a member of the Labor and Employment group who advises employers on workforce issues that directly affect operations, transactions, and growth. She supports companies ranging from startups to global organizations with practical guidance that aligns employment strategy with business objectives.

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Ari conducts workplace investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and policy violations, working closely with leadership to deliver clear findings and actionable outcomes. She defends employers in federal and state court litigation involving discrimination, wage and hour, leave and accommodation laws, pay equity, and trade secret disputes, including the successful enforcement of restrictive covenants against competitors. Ari also counsels executives, HR teams, and business owners across the employee lifecycle and drafts employment agreements, policies, and handbooks that manage risk and support scale.

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She brings a transactional mindset to labor and employment due diligence, advising on workforce risks in mergers, acquisitions, and market expansions so clients can move forward with confidence.

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Obtained plaintiff’s voluntary non-suit of a lawsuit after the conclusion of the plaintiff’s deposition

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Obtained multiple dismissals of administrative charges of alleged discrimination and labor law violations

Conducted multiple global workplace investigations

Enforced a non-compete and confidentiality agreement against a client’s direct competitor

Ariel M. Kelly

Ariel M. Kelly

Credentials

Education

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Recognition

Insights & Events

Ariel Kelly and Michael Considine Publish Article in Illinois State Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Newsletter

Illinois Employment Law Watch New and Upcoming Employment Law Developments

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Relaunch & Expansion of Its Opinion Letter Program

25 Vedder Price Attorneys Recognized in Thomson Reuters 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers

“Show Me the Money” Illinois’s New Job Posting Requirements Take Effect January 1

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Rosemont, IL 2024

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Chicago, IL 2024

Seventh Circuit Clarifies that Employers May Be Obligated to Offer an Accommodation Relevant to an Employee’s Work Commute

Ariel M. Kelly

Credentials

Education

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

Recognition

Insights & Events

Ariel Kelly and Michael Considine Publish Article in Illinois State Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Newsletter

Illinois Employment Law Watch New and Upcoming Employment Law Developments

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Relaunch & Expansion of Its Opinion Letter Program

25 Vedder Price Attorneys Recognized in Thomson Reuters 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers

“Show Me the Money” Illinois’s New Job Posting Requirements Take Effect January 1

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Rosemont, IL 2024

Vedder Works Employment Law Series Chicago, IL 2024

Seventh Circuit Clarifies that Employers May Be Obligated to Offer an Accommodation Relevant to an Employee’s Work Commute

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