D. Grayson Kelly
Partner | Tampa
gkelly@butler.legal
813-281-1900
About | Credentials | Media | Print | Share
D. Grayson (“Gray”) Kelly is a Partner at Butler’s Tampa office. Gray’s practice primarily involves first-party coverage disputes involving residential and commercial properties. He has represented admitted and surplus lines insurance carriers in state and federal courts in Florida through trial and appeal.
Gray is recognized by his peers and adversaries as an efficient and effective litigator. As a result, Best Lawyers has featured Gray on its annual “Ones to Watch” list since 2020.
Gray takes pride in working with his clients to develop creative and cost-conscious solutions to the myriad challenges that insurers face in Florida. He is reliable and responsive and maintains an open line of communication with his clients from the time a file is opened through closure.
A native of North Carolina and proud Tar Heel, Gray obtained his undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He then received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Florida International University College of Law, where he repeatedly received Dean’s List recognition.
After being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2010, Gray practiced at a boutique commercial litigation firm in South Florida, where he represented banks, financial institutions, and local businesses in commercial litigation and bankruptcy cases, including contractual and real property-related disputes. Gray subsequently joined a highly regarded insurance defense firm in South Florida, where he focused on counseling multinational and regional insurers in first- and third-party coverage disputes.
Gray is licensed to practice in all Florida state and federal courts and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He is also licensed to practice in North Carolina.
Gray resides in Tampa with his wife, Rachel, and their two children, Carter and Annabelle. Outside the office, Gray enjoys running, spending time with his family, and coaching his son’s youth basketball team.
Admissions
- Florida
- North Carolina
Education
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bachelor of Arts
- Florida International University College of Law
Doctor of Jurisprudence
Media
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch – 2025 Edition
Join us in congratulating our attorneys who were recognized in the Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch 2025 publication! You can click on their bios above to learn more about each attorney. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Their process is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their coll...
Ones to Watch – 2024 Edition
Join us in congratulating our attorneys who were recognized in the 2024 Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch publication! Click on their icons to learn more. Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Their process is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographic...
Butler Congratulates Our Newest Partners!
As we move into the new year, please join us in congratulating our firm’s newest Partners! You can learn more about them by clicking on their individual photos....
Litigating Tile Roof Claims
Hurricane Irma’s landfall in Florida produced an avalanche of property insurance claims throughout the state, the majority of which involved reported damage to roofs. Though many of these claims were legitimate, enterprising public adjusters, contractors, and other policyholder advocates presented claims for wind-damaged roofs when, in fact, no such damage existed. Predictably, these claims ...
Hurricane Ian Webinar Series Episode 2 – Litigating Tile Roof Claims
Our latest webinar series will inform you on issues that may arise during adjustment of Hurricane Ian claims. In the second part of this series, Partner Sarah Burke and Senior Associate Gray Kelly, along with Rimkus' Paul Marsenison, will provide a discussion on ways to navigate tile roof claims and avoid potential pitfalls. Learn the real truths versus the common myths of tile roof damages and r...
