Millennium Magazine_8th Ed

245 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine LAW AND LAW ENFORCEMENT G rowing up in a small town, Donald Hayden Kelley found inspiration from his cousin and a family friend, who were distinguished for their legal prowess. With their influence, he knew he wanted to conduct analytical work while also helping others. Matriculating at the University of Nebraska, he received a BS in law in 1950 and an LLB in 1952. From there, he was admitted to practice law in Nebraska and Colorado, as well as before the U.S. District Court for Nebraska, U.S. Tax Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Mr. Kelley commenced his career in 1955 as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. The following year, he was a tax trial attorney for the Office of Regional Counsel with the IRS in Dallas, Texas. For more than 60 years since 1956, Mr. Kelley has served as founder, partner and of counsel with Kelley, Scritsmier & Byrne P.C. in North Platte, Nebraska. In 1979, he moved to the office with the Wade Ash firm in Denver, Colorado. Notably, Mr. Kelley has been named to Best Lawyers in America since 1987. He has also been named to Best Lawyers by Town &CountryMagazine and Best Lawyers in Denver by 5280 Magazine. Additionally, he was the recipient of an Agricultural Law Section Legal Service Award from the Colorado Bar Association in 1995, a Shining Light Award for Legal Education Services from the Nebraska Bar Foundation in 1994 and a Distinguished Service Award from the American Agricultural Law Association in 1987. Mr. Kelley attributes his success to his alma mater, as he believes he received the best possible law education. To remain abreast of changes in his industry, Mr. Kelley maintains affiliation with the American Bar Association, Nebraska State Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association, American College of Tax Counsel (past regent), American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (past regent), and American Law Institute. A fellow of the American Bar Foundation and American Agricultural Law Association, he has contributed to numerous journals and Estate Planning Magazine. Mr. Kelley recalls the highlight of his career was winning a case on farmland valuation and Federal Circuit Court. DONALD HAYDEN KELLEY OF COUNSEL Kelley, Scritsmier & Byrne, P.C. Highlands Ranch, CO