Matt Kelly is a litigation counsel based in the firm’s New York office and a member of the Data Strategy & Security Group. His practice focuses on advising the firm’s growing number of clients on matters related to AI governance, as well as on matters involving regulatory compliance and risk management, cybersecurity and data privacy.
Mr. Kelly advises clients across industries, including public and private companies in the technology and financial services sectors, with respect to a wide range of litigation and advisory matters, with a particular emphasis on helping clients navigate unique or complex technology- or data-driven challenges. His work includes litigation and internal investigation matters, as well as regulatory enforcement and examination matters, related to data strategy, data security, governance, and compliance. He has extensive experience advising clients in highly regulated industries on the use of quantitative modeling tools and data-driven operations, and on the design and implementation of model governance frameworks. Mr. Kelly has also led multiple advisory, litigation, and regulatory matters related to algorithmic trading, cybersecurity, and data governance for a range of clients, including broker-dealers and investment advisers in the context of SEC, CFTC, FINRA, and New York Attorney General investigations.
Mr. Kelly is ranked as Up and Coming by Chambers for Privacy & Data Security and is recognized by The Legal 500 US for Cyber Law. In March 2025, he was named an “AI Visionary” by Relativity, a global legal technology company, in its annual list of forward-thinking industry leaders who are responsibly advancing the field of AI and its use. He was also recognized as a Client Service All Star by BTI Consulting for 2024. He serves on the editorial board for ALM’s Cybersecurity Law & Strategy newsletter.
Prior to joining Debevoise, Mr. Kelly was counsel at another international law firm where he represented leading public companies and financial services firms on cybersecurity, data governance, and data privacy matters, as well as on commercial disputes, regulatory inquiries and internal investigations.