Kelly M. Dermody, Consumer Attorney in San Francisco, California
Over 32 years of legal practice · focused on Consumer, Employment, and Securities · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratLieff Cabraser Heimann And Bernstein Llp
San Francisco, CA
Practicing consumer in San Francisco since 1994.
- 32+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 9
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you Kelly M. Dermody?
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Quick answer
Kelly M. Dermody is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Consumer, Employment, and Securities. Kelly has over 32 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Lieff Cabraser Heimann And Bernstein Llp. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- San Francisco, CA
- Experience
- over 32 years
- Known for
- Consumer · Employment · Securities
- Handles Consumer, Employment, and Securities matters from San Francisco, CA.
- Over 32 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About Kelly M. Dermody: Kelly M. Dermody is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Consumer, Employment, and Securities. Kelly has over 32 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Lieff Cabraser Heimann And Bernstein Llp. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by Kelly M. Dermody
Kelly concentrates on consumer, employment, and securities. Each area below outlines the kind of case Kelly handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Consumer
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Employment
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Securities
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Consumer cases in San Francisco, California
Kelly takes consumer matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kelly agrees to represent you.
Employment cases in San Francisco, California
Kelly takes employment matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kelly agrees to represent you.
Securities cases in San Francisco, California
Kelly takes securities matters in San Francisco, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Kelly agrees to represent you.
Biography
About Kelly M. Dermody — Over 32 years of California consumer experience
Kelly M. Dermody is a partner based in San Francisco, CA. The practice focuses on Consumer, Employment, and Securities. Kelly has over 32 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Lieff Cabraser Heimann And Bernstein Llp. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Kelly is Managing Partner of the San Francisco office of Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. A Chambers & Partners USA Band-1 rated attorney, Kelly is Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association’s Section of Labor and Employment Law, and a member of the ABA’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council. Kelly specializes in civil rights and employment class and collective actions on behalf of plaintiffs, and individual cases addressing sexual abuse, harassment, and trafficking. Kelly is a nationally-recognized advocate in the areas of pay equity, #metoo, and diversity and inclusion. She has prosecuted numerous cases challenging unfair hiring, promotion, compensation, and performance systems.
In October of 2023, Kelly was profiled by Law360 as a “Class Action Law MVP.” Read a copy of the Law360 profile .
The Daily Journal has observed that Kelly’s
values have translated into real workday value for lots of people - people who have won better job opportunities from companies like Abercrombie & Fitch, Home Depot, and Smith Barney, or monetary damages from banks that have engaged in predatory lending and servicing.”
In 2012, Kelly served as President of the Bar Association of San Francisco. She is a member of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and the American Law Institute. The Daily Journal has selected Kelly as one of the top 100 attorneys in California, top 75 labor and employment lawyers in California, and top 100 women litigators in California. In 2016, The Recorder awarded her the “Giant Slayer” award for her litigation work. She is a Board member of the Equal Justice Society, a national non-profit focused on transforming the nation’s consciousness on race and racial equity.
Classes & Seminars
•Panelist, “Can Ethical Leadership Survive? Navigating Populist Politics, Geopolitical Upheaval and Economic Crisis,” 6th Annual IFSEA International Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives & Founders, June 2025
•Panelist, “Different Principles of Equality: Comparison between the Legal Assessment of Gender Quotas and Gender Pay Equality in the US and EU,” ABA ERR Committee Midwinter Meeting & Nat’l Symposium on Technology in Labor & Employment Law, March 2025
•Panelist, “Developments in Pay Equity and Gender Discrimination Litigation,”18th Annual ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Conference, November 2024
•Panelist, “Climate Change and Just Transition Impacts on Labor and Employment,” ABA International Labor and Employment Law Committee Midyear Meeting, May 2024
•Panelist, “Pay Equity: Are We There Yet?,” ABA National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity Law, March 2024
•Panelist, “Addressing Attorney Obligations to Avoid Discrimination,” 17th Annual ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Conference, November 2023
•Keynote Speaker, 3rd Annual IFSEA International Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives & Founders, June 2022
•Host and Panelist, “Intersectional Lives, Intersectional Experiences: How Transgender Women of Color Laid the Groundwork for Modern Equality Laws,” 15th Annual ABA Section of Labor and Employment Law Conference, November 2021
•Guest, “Systemic Discrimination Cases,” Today’s Workplace Podcast Episode, October 2021
•Speaker, American Bar Association 2021 National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity Law Midwinter Meeting, April 2021
•“Social Movements and the Important Role of Senior Executives and Founders in Diversity & Inclusion, and Racial and Gender Equality,” International Forum of Senior Executives & Advisers Conference, February 2021
•Equal Rights Advocates Virtual Gala, November 2020
•“Effective EEO, Anti-Bias and Anti-Bullying Employee Training Programs,” American Bar Association 14th Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference,” November 2020
•“Challenges in the U.S. Court Systems and in the Practice of Law in the U.S.,” National Association of Women Judges 42nd Virtual Annual Conference, October 2020
•“Addressing and Eradicating Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation Against Senior Executives,” International Conference on Risk, Reward and Reputation Management Issues for Senior Executives and Founders, February 2020
•“Women’s Impact Network - No Glass Ceiling 2.0 Conference,” Bar Association of San Francisco, November 2019
• “The Plaintiff Perspective: Mistakes Employers Make and Case Selection Criteria for an Employee Advocate,” California Employment Law Council Annual Meeting, November 2019
•“Trials and Tribulations: Stories from BASF Presidents,” Bar Association of San Francisco Ninth Annual Barristers Meeting, November 2019
•“The Power of People Analytics,” American Bar Association 13th Annual Labor and Employment Law Conference, November 2019
•“#MeToo and BigLaw,” American Bar Association National Conference on Professional Responsibility, May 2019
•“The World Wide #MeToo Movement: Global Resistance to Sexual Harassment and Violence Conference,” UC Berkeley School of Law, May 2019
•“#MeToo and Beyond: Addressing Sexual Harassment, Pay Inequity and Other Forms of Gender Discrimination in the International Workplace,” American Bar Association International Labor & Employment Law Conference, May 2019
•“Gender Equality in the #MeToo World,” National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity, April 2019
•“#WETOO in the Legal Workplace,” National Association of Women Judges Conference, March 2019
•“The Equal Pay Act and The #TimesUp Movement,” American Bar Association Employment Rights & Responsibilities Committee Conference, March 2019
•“Post-Election Solidarity: Lawyering and Building Alliances Across Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Immigration Status and Practice Areas”, Lavender Law Conference, 2017
•“Class Actions: Latest Developments in Litigating and Settling Employment Discrimination Class Actions”, American Bar Association Labor and Employment Section Equal Employment Opportunity Committee
•“A Road Map to Discovery in Employment Discrimination and Wage/Hour Class Actions”, with James M. Finberg, Glasser Legal Works Seminar
•“Employment Discrimination Class Actions in the Wake of Allison v. Citgo Petroleum Corp. and Fed.R.Civ.P. 23(f)”, Federal Bar Association
Honors & Awards
•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
•Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in fields of “Employment Law-Individuals” and “Litigation-Labor and Employment,” 2010-2026
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2010-2017, 2019-2026
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America,” Lawdragon, 2026
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers,” Lawdragon, 2026
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2023-2026
• “Legends of the 500,” Lawdragon, 2019
•“Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2018-2025
•“Lawdragon Finalist,” Lawdragon, 2007-2009
•“500 Leading Plaintiffs’ Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, Winter 2007
•“Top 250 Women in Litigation,” Benchmark Litigation, 2016-2020, 2024, 2025
•“Lawyer of the Year for Labor and Employment Litigation,” San Francisco Bay Area, Best Lawyers, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023, 2026
•“Band 1 Ranking in Labor & Employment: Mainly Plaintiffs,” Chambers USA, 2025
•“Top California Women Lawyers,” Daily Journal, 2007, 2010, 2012-2018, 2025
•“Top 50 Women Northern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2007-2025
•“Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2007, 2009-2025
•“Super Lawyer for Northern California,” Super Lawyers, 2004-2025
•“Labor & Employment Litigator of the Year,” ““Impact Case Award,” “Labor & Employment Star,” “Litigation Star,” ” “Top 50 Labor & Employment Litigator,” Benchmark Litigation, 2024
•“California Litigation Star,” Benchmark Litigation, 2013-2017, 2024
•“Top Labor & Employment Lawyers,” Daily Journal, 2016, 2018-2020, 2023, 2024
•“Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar,” Law360, 2024
•“Elite Women of the Plaintiffs Bar,” National Law Journal, 2024
•“Class Action & Employment MVP of the Year,” Law360, 2023
•“Award of Merit,” Bar Association of San Francisco, 2007, 2022
•“Top Plaintiff Lawyers,” California Daily Journal, 2022
•“Class Action MVP of the Year,” Law360, 2021
•“Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award,” American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession, 2019
•“Judge Learned Hand Award,” 2019, American Jewish Committee
•“Outstanding Private Practice Antitrust Achievement,” American Antitrust Institute, 2019
•“Employment Law Trailblazer,” National Law Journal, 2019
•“Litigation Trailblazer,” The National Law Journal, 2018
•“Giant Slayer,” The Recorder, 2016
•“Top 100 Attorneys in California,” Daily Journal, 2012-2015
•“Top 75 Labor and Employment Attorneys in California,” Daily Journal, 2011-2015
•Distinguished Jurisprudence Award, Anti-Defamation League, 2014
•“Top 10 Northern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2014
•“Dolores Huerta Adelita Award,” California Rural Legal Assistance, 2013
•“Recommended Lawyer,” The Legal 500 (U.S. edition, 2013)
•“Women of Achievement Award,” Legal Momentum (formerly the NOW Legal Defense & Education Fund), 2011
•“Irish Legal 100” Finalist, The Irish Voice, 2010
•“Florence K. Murray Award,” National Association of Women Judges, 2010
•“Community Service Award,” Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom, 2008
•“Community Justice Award,” Centro Legal de la Raza, 2008
•“California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award,” California Lawyer, 2007
•“Trial Lawyer of the Year Finalist,” Public Justice Foundation, 2007
•“Consumer Attorney of the Year” Finalist, Consumer Attorneys of California, 2006
•“California’s Top 20 Lawyers Under 40,” Daily Journal, 2006
•“Living the Dream Partner,” Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, 2005
•“Top Bay Area Employment Attorney,” The Recorder, 2004
In the News
•March 23, 2026
Kelly Dermody Appointed to California State University Board of Trustees
•February 17, 2026
30 Lieff Cabraser Attorneys Recognized as Lawdragon “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2026
•January 16, 2026
14 Lieff Cabraser Lawyers Named to Lawdragon’s 2nd Annual “Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Antitrust & Competition Lawyers” List
•January 9, 2026
Eleven Lieff Cabraser Partners Named to 2026 “Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America” List
•September 8, 2025
Twenty-Seven Lieff Cabraser Partners Named to 2026 “Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America” List
Kelly's approach to consumer cases
Kelly is Managing Partner of the San Francisco office of Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. A Chambers & Partners USA Band-1 rated attorney, Kelly is Immediate Past Chair of the American Bar Association’s Section of Labor and Employment Law, and a member of the ABA’s Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Council. Kelly specializes in civil rights and employment class and collective actions on…
The kind of cases Kelly takes
Kelly reviews new inquiries case-by-case for consumer, employment, and securities matters in San Francisco and the surrounding California area.
Credentials
Kelly M. Dermody's legal education and bar admissions
Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley
J.D. · 1992
Harvard University A.B. magna cum laude Harvard University A.B. 1990 Honors: Senior Class Ames Memorial Public Service Award
—
Jurisdictions
Kelly's state bar admissions
New York
2025 · ACTIVE
District of Columbia
2025 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
2017 · ACTIVE
U.S. Supreme Court
2013 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
2012 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
2007 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
2005 · ACTIVE
U.S. District Court,
1995 · ACTIVE
California
1994 · ACTIVE
Kelly studied at J.D. in Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley and — in Harvard University A.B. magna cum laude Harvard University A.B. 1990 Honors: Senior Class Ames Memorial Public Service Award.
Law school and academic background
Kelly completed J.D. in Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California, Berkeley and — in Harvard University A.B. magna cum laude Harvard University A.B. 1990 Honors: Senior Class Ames Memorial Public Service Award. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Kelly runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of Kelly M. Dermody
Kelly has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Locations
Kelly M. Dermody's office in San Francisco
Kelly's primary office is at Embarcadero Center West, 275 Battery Street, 29th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94111. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Lieff Cabraser Heimann And Bernstein Llp
Embarcadero Center West, 275 Battery Street, 29th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Kelly M. Dermody — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Kelly. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing consumer attorneys in San Francisco.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Kelly M. Dermody claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Kelly M. Dermody — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new consumer attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Kelly usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Kelly charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Kelly's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Kelly will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a consumer attorney in San Francisco, California
A short list to run through before you commit: How many consumer matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Kelly
Kelly discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in consumer practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every consumer matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Kelly confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Kelly's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many consumer practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Kelly M. Dermody
How much does it cost to hire Kelly for a consumer case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Kelly walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Kelly offer a free consultation?
Kelly charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Kelly's office. Some consumer attorneys offer free consults — check Kelly's current terms during booking.
How long do consumer cases in California typically take?
Simple consumer matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Kelly gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Kelly take my case if I'm outside San Francisco?
Kelly is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Kelly will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Kelly?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Kelly will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Kelly accepting new consumer clients right now?
Kelly's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Consumer attorneys serving San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in California
Kelly handles consumer matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified consumer attorneys in that community.
- San Francisco26,380 attorneys
- Los Angeles39,975 attorneys
- San Diego16,903 attorneys
- Sacramento10,561 attorneys
- Irvine6,831 attorneys
- Oakland5,709 attorneys
- San Jose5,009 attorneys
- Palo Alto4,084 attorneys
- Beverly Hills3,348 attorneys
- Newport Beach3,106 attorneys
- Pasadena2,894 attorneys
- Santa Monica2,756 attorneys
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