Kelly began his career at the law firm Cravath, Swaine, and Moore in New York City.

[2] He was then in private practice with the firm Hinkle, Bondurant, Cox & Eaton in Roswell and Santa Fe, New Mexico from 1967 to 1992.

Kelly approached his practice in a relentless fashion, insisting that every angle of a case be investigated.

[4] On November 19, 1991, Kelly was nominated by President George H. W. Bush to a new seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit created by 104 Stat.

[6] Kelly stated in an Above the Law article that he has no set judicial philosophy—he has decisions landing on both sides of the spectrum.