Kelly M. Scifres

Kelly represents and advises insured and uninsured employers in workers' compensation litigation and compliance matters. Her practice focuses on the defense of employers/carriers in workers' compensation claims in the State of Florida before the Judge of Compensation Claims. She works closely with adjusters and employers to defend claims during the pre-suit and litigation process, from the date of injury to settlement or final hearing.

Kelly also defends employers in matters involving workers' compensation coverage compliance investigations, stop work orders, penalty assessments, business records request and audits imposed by the Division of Workers' Compensation. Kelly has represented numerous employers and businesses in the dispute of penalty assessments and compliance actions before the Division of Administrative Hearings. She also advises employers and businesses in general workers' compensation compliance matters and handling of workplace accidents to minimize exposure and premiums.

A specific area of focus for Kelly is defending employers against stop work orders. She has achieved successful results in matters involving stop work orders, business records requests and penalty assessments from the state of Florida. By working to lift stop orders and reduce penalties, and advising on future compliance, Kelly helps employers resume business operations as quickly as possible.

Before joining Marshall Dennehey, Kelly worked for a statewide insurance defense firm as a member of the workers' compensation and general liability practice groups. While there, she practiced in the areas of workers' compensation defense and subrogation, employer compliance, general liability defense and asbestos litigation.

Kelly graduated in the top 10 percent of her class, and earned her juris doctor in 2013. During law school, Kelly served on the Mock Trial and Moot Court Teams where she received numerous oral advocacy and professionalism awards. She also worked during law school, gaining a wide range of experience in all areas of law while clerking with a solo practitioner.  She also clerked with a preeminent Jacksonville plaintiff's personal injury law firm, as well as a Duval County Circuit Court Judge.

Prior to attending law school, Kelly worked for five years in sales and marketing with two Fortune 500 companies where she received high level corporate sales and customer service training.