KELSO & BURGESS - Key Persons

Jennifer A. Burgess, Esq., has been with Kelso & Bradshaw since 2004, and became a Partner in 2016. Following her judicial clerkship in 1999/2000, Ms. Burgess served as a Deputy County Counsel from 2000 through 2002, where she worked directly with the County Freeholders and County Departments. In that position she participated in meetings of the Commissioners of the Middlesex County Self Insured Fund, served as the attorney to the County Construction Board of Appeals, handled various County defense matters assigned directly to the Office of County Counsel, and served as a liaison to the Administrative Office of the Courts and various County Counsel offices in the handling of Bail Forfeiture and Collection Practices for the State. In 2002, Ms. Burgess entered private practice where she continued to work in the public sector via her predecessor firm's appointments as attorneys to various municipalities and Boards, and where she gained private practice experience in family law and general practice. In January 2004, Ms. Burgess joined our firm where she has continued her primary focus on Family and Matrimonial Law. She also has extensive experience in general practice areas, including but not limited to civil litigation matters, real estate, land use and redevelopment, personal injury, worker's compensation, municipal defense and prosecution, wills/estates, and landlord/tenant matters. Ms. Burgess is trained and Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court in accordance with R. 1:40-12 as a divorce and family law mediator and participates in economic mediation both as an advocate for her clients, and also as a mediator. Ms. Burgess also mediates family matters for private parties, as well as parties represented by counsel. Ms. Burgess is the Municipal Prosecutor in both Monroe Township and Plainsboro/Cranbury Municipal Courts. A 1996 graduate of Rowan University, Ms. Burgess graduated cum laude. She received her J.D. from New York Law School in 1999, and thereafter completed a clerkship with the Honorable Deborah J. Venezia and the Honorable Joyce M. Munkasci (retired) in Middlesex County. Ms. Burgess lives with her family in Millstone Twp., New Jersey.

Job Titles:

• Special Counsel to the New Brunswick Development Corporation

Thomas F. Kelso, Esq. is the Senior and Managing Partner of the Kelso & Burgess law firm, and was the founding partner of the original firm of Gluck & Kelso in 1977. Mr. Kelso, throughout his 40+ years law career, has appeared in and before the Municipal Courts of this State, Superior Courts in most counties, the Office of Administrative Law, the Federal Courts, and a variety of public bodies and agencies. Mr. Kelso has acquired comprehensive knowledge of the New Jersey Statutes, case law, public body rules, regulations and procedures in furtherance of client representation, including the Open Public Meetings Act, public bidding laws and requirements, general rules and procedures of governmental agencies, public advocacy and local governments. Mr. Kelso was appointed County Counsel of Middlesex County in 2002, and continues to serve in that position. In his capacity as Middlesex County Counsel, Mr. Kelso is the chief legal advisor to the County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and to other various County agencies and departments, including the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and the Commissioners of the Middlesex County Self-Insurance Fund. Mr. Kelso is widely regarded as a land use and zoning specialist and has appeared before a variety of municipal Planning and Zoning Boards throughout the State of New Jersey. His expertise includes a comprehensive knowledge of both residential and commercial land use development and all aspects of the redevelopment of urban areas and other blighted properties, including the requirements related to real estate taxation and tax exemptions. Mr. Kelso's expertise also includes comprehensive experience in the financing, approval and development of affordable housing in a variety of municipalities in the region. Mr. Kelso has served as Special Counsel to the New Brunswick Development Corporation since 1979, a position which involves all aspects of the City of New Brunswick's revitalization and redevelopment initiatives. Mr. Kelso is a graduate of Rutgers University, having received his B.A. with Distinction in History, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1972. Thereafter, Mr. Kelso received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School in 1975. Mr. Kelso lives with his family in New Brunswick, New Jersey.