Illinois office: 640 N. LaSalle Drive, Suite 495, Chicago, IL 60654
Indiana office: 450 E. 96th Street, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46240
Attorney Kelly Elmore is a Principal at KSN who advises condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations in Illinois and Indiana on all aspects of corporate law including: association contracts, amendments to declarations and by-laws, covenant violations/rule enforcement, the architectural review process, the special assessment process, board elections, assessment collection, foreclosures and bankruptcy issues, developer turnover, construction defect disputes, and contract review.
Kelly is also a member of the firm’s Litigation Department. As an active trial lawyer for twenty (20) years, Kelly represents and defends condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community associations in various court actions ranging from state court to federal court. Kelly has represented community associations in cases brought against Board members for breach of fiduciary duty and violation of state law from owners. Kelly has also represented community associations in cases against developers for issues arising from developer turnover, and for defective construction.
Kelly is the Chair of the firm’s Deconversion Department and advises condominium associations on the complex process of condominium termination or deconversion (“condominium terminations” or “Section 15 sales”). In this process, a buyer or developer purchases all units within a condominium property and removes the property from the provisions of the condominium regime, often converting the property into apartment rentals. Considered by many in the industry to be the leading authority in the deconversion process, Kelly is a regular guest speaker and panelist for various industry lectures, seminars, and panel discussions. Notably, Kelly has recently been featured in a number of leading Chicago publications on this topic, including the Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Gazette, and The Real Deal. Kelly has been a frequent lecturer for Strafford Publications on the topic of deconversions from 2022-2025.
Kelly is the author of a number of publications for various community associations, including: CAI (Community Association Institute), ACTHA, and Common Interest Magazine. In addition, Kelly is a frequent lecturer and guest panelist on various association issues for annual CAI legal
community associations, including: CAI (Community Association Institute), ACTHA, and Common Interest Magazine. In addition, Kelly is a frequent lecturer and guest panelist on various association issues for annual CAI legal forums and tradeshows for Indiana and Illinois, ACTHA tradeshows/educational programs, the Cooperator Expo, and the Chicago Property Management Condo & HOA Expo. Kelly was selected as a 2024 Lawyer of Distinction in the State of Indiana, which recognizes excellence in the area of community association law.
Kelly was also selected as a 2017 and 2018 Illinois Emerging Lawyer, identified by her peers to be among the top lawyers in Illinois who are age 40 or under and who have proven themselves to be professional, ethical, and experienced at an early point in their legal career. Kelly served as a Co-Chair of the Chicago Bar Association, Young Lawyers’ Section Real Estate Law Committee (2011-2015); as a member of the Chicago Bar Association Condominium Law Subcommittee (2006-2023); and as a member of the Association of Condominium, Townhouse & Homeowners Associations (ACTHA) Legislative Committee (2008-2018).
Committed to advancing community association law and education, Kelly dedicates significant time to the Indiana Chapter of CAI. She has served on its Board of Directors (2020- 2026); was elected President-Elect (2021-2022), elected as President (2021-2022), and elected as Vice President (2025-2026). In addition, Kelly chaired the Golf Committee (2022-2024). Since 2022, Kelly has led the CAI Indiana Legislative Action Committee (LAC) (2022-2025), drafting key legislation for Indiana HOAs and community associations. In 2024, she testified before the Indiana Legislature to advocate for legal reforms and revised legislation for the benefit of HOAs and community associations.
Recognized as a leader in the field of community association law, in January 2025, Kelly was a guest panelist for the prestigious CAI Annual Law Seminar’s Panel of Pundits in San Antonio, Texas.
Kelly’s dedication to community association law, leadership in legislative advocacy and extensive litigation experience, makes her a trusted advisor and a leading voice in the industry.
