James McGirr Kelly

James McGirr Kelly (March 24, 1928 – March 5, 2005) was a United States federal judge.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kelly received a B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business in 1951 and was in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1953. He received a J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1957, and served as a was a law clerk, Hon. Edward J. Griffiths, Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia, PA from 1957 to 1958. He was an Assistant district Attorney, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1958 to 1960. He was an assistant U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 1960 to 1962. He was in private practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1962 to 1983. He was a Master, Jury Selection Board, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Pennsylvania from 1963 to 1964. He was a Special assistant commonwealth attorney general of Pennsylvania from 1964 to 1965. He was an Adjunct professor of business law, Drexel University from 1965 to 1989. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from 1967 to 1977. He was a Vice president of regulatory practices, American Water Works Company from 1977 to 1983.

Kelly was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Kelly was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on June 21, 1983, to a seat vacated by E. Mac Troutman. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 4, 1983, and received his commission on August 6, 1983. He assumed senior status on March 31, 1996. Kelly served in that capacity until his death, in Overbrook, Pennsylvania.