Overview
A “go-to guy for complex Delaware partnership matters” (Chambers USA), Bernard Kelley is chair of the Business Department.
With more than 30 years of experience in the organization and operation of Delaware alternative entities, Bernie handles a wide variety of transactional matters involving Delaware limited liability companies, general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and statutory trusts. Bernie’s practice includes investment fund formation matters, structured finance transactions, joint venture transactions, entity governance, mergers and acquisitions, fiduciary duty issues, contract interpretation issues, and entity dissolutions.
Bernie renders legal opinions and provides litigation support in connection with disputes involving Delaware alternative entities. He also represents banks and trust companies in commercial transactions and regulatory matters, including before Delaware state regulatory authorities.
PRACTICES
Limited Liability Company & Partnership Advisory
Structured Finance
- University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1989
- Swarthmore College, B.A., 1986
Education
Publications
Delaware Insider: Recent Amendments to the Alternative Entity Acts
Business Law Today | August 2014
The State of Delaware continues to ensure that its alternative entity statutes remain state of the art. In furtherance of that objective, effective August 1, 2014, Delaware amended the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (LLC Act), the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (LP Act), the Delaware Revised Uniform Partnership Act (GP Act), and the Delaware…
Recent Case Law Developments Relating to Delaware’s Alternative Entities
Delaware Law Review | 2010
The Delaware courts have addressed a number of significant issues over the past year relating to alternative entities formed under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
Leadership
- American College of LLC and Partnership Attorneys, Founding Fellow
- Delaware State Bar Association, Corporate Council Subcommittee responsible for proposing amendments to the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, the Delaware Revised Uniform Partnership Act, and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act; Immediate Past Chair
- Delaware State Bar Association, Delaware Banking Law Committee, Past Chair
Recognition
- Chambers USA
- The Legal 500
- The Best Lawyers in America, since 2010; Wilmington, DE Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Lawyer of the Year, 2025
Bar Admissions
- Delaware, 1989