Kelly Rains Jesson

Kelly Rains Jesson is a Charlotte attorney who focuses on estate planning, probate administration, and business law. She helps clients prepare and revise wills and trusts, establish powers of attorney, and document health care wishes. Her practice also includes business formation, business torts, and breach of contract litigation. Admitted in North Carolina and Florida, Kelly combines planning experience with substantial courtroom work and has tried numerous cases.

Kelly earned her J.D. summa cum laude from the University of Miami, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and the University of Miami Law Review. She received her B.A. magna cum laude from North Carolina State University and an A.A. from Peace College. During law school, she participated in the U.S. Department of Justice Honors Intern Program and worked in the Professional Responsibility Advisory Office.

Before entering her current practice, Kelly represented local governments and businesses in matters involving personal injury claims in state court, employment discrimination, police liability, and constitutional law claims in federal court. She also served as a judicial law clerk to Judge Angel A. Cortiñas of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal. Earlier, she worked as a paralegal in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Kelly Rains Jesson has received recognition for both her legal work and business leadership. She was selected to the North Carolina Rising Stars list for estate planning from 2018 through 2022 and to the Super Lawyers list in 2024. Business North Carolina also named her to its Legal Elite in tax and estate planning from 2019 through 2024. Kelly supports Wills for Heroes, accepts periodic pro bono matters, and has held leadership roles in bar, business, and construction organizations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Jesson & Rains, PLLC
• Chair, Mecklenburg County Bar Association
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association
• Member, Women Lawyers of Charlotte
• Member, Florida Bar Association
• Member, National Association of Women Business Owners
• Board Member, National Association of Women in Construction

Licensed State

• North Carolina
• Florida

Education

• University of Miami
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• North Carolina State University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)