Jonathan I. Kelman

Jonathan is not only Georgianna’s business partner, he is also her life partner. Happily married for over two decades, they have three sons Brandon, Jack, and Cristian. Together they have tirelessly advocated for their special needs son, Brandon which inspired the law practice of Kelman and Kelman. What began as a challenging and overwhelming journey through the special education system ultimately became the impetus that led both Jonathan and Georgianna to dedicate their legal careers to fiercely advocating for children with disabilities with the same passion and commitment they brought to their own son’s fight and his meaningful social and academic inclusion.

Jonathan has practiced exclusively in the areas of criminal defense and special education for 30 years. His experience in special education law mirrors Georgianna’s - he has handled numerous IEP meetings, including complex and highly contentious ones with successful outcomes, as well as due process hearings. Jonathan also oversees all truancy-related matters, which often arise when children with disabilities are unable to attend school for reasons related to their disabilities yet are still unjustly penalized. In addition, he handles manifestation determination reviews, expulsion hearings, and school-based disciplinary matters when students with disabilities are accused of criminal or other wrongful conduct.

And should a child with disabilities find themselves involved in the criminal justice system, Jonathan is the strongest possible advocate - bringing the same uncompromising, zealous representation he used to protect Brandon’s educational rights, always working side-by-side with Georgianna. Together, they truly are the attorney dream team for children with disabilities in Los Angeles.

Jonathan received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1992. He earned his Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in 1995, finishing in the top 10% of his class. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation as one of Southern California’s premier defense attorneys, known for his aggressive representation, strategic command of the law, and deeply personal investment in every client he serves. Armed with decades of experience, Jonathan is accustomed to taking on the legal system head-on and delivering outstanding results.

Jonathan’s legal expertise has been sought by numerous media outlets. He has appeared as a legal analyst on MSNBC, FOX News, CNN, CBS News, KCAL News, Celebrity Justice, TMZ, and Entertainment Tonight, and his work has been widely covered by the Los Angeles Times and Daily News. He is renowned for helping his clients apply his personal motto: IMPROVISE, ADAPT, OVERCOME.