Kelley M. Petcavich

Kelley M. Petcavich graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law and joined Cranfill Sumner in 2022 where she focuses her practice on medical malpractice, professional liability, and general civil litigation matters. While in law school, Kelley served as Executive Forum Editor of Volume 100 of the North Carolina Law Review and clerked for Senior Resident Superior Court Judge D. Thomas Lambeth, Jr. throughout her second year.

Medical Malpractice/Healthcare

For Kelley, defending hospitals and health care providers is not only a professional passion but personal. Having multiple health care providers in her family, including her husband and brother-in-law who are both physicians, allows Kelley to bring a unique perspective when defending healthcare clients. Prior to attending UNC School of Law, Kelley initially gained experience as a medical malpractice defense paralegal with Cranfill Sumner LLP. She further developed a nuanced understanding of the healthcare system and the issues affecting providers and healthcare entities as an extern with the General Counsel of UNC Health Care while in law school. Additionally, Kelley has researched and written on topics including North Carolina’s Hospital Licensure Act, Medical Review Committee Privilege, Peer Review, and Civil Involuntary Commitment.

General Civil Litigation

Prior to attending law school, Kelley’s time as a civil litigation defense paralegal allowed her to gain experience in additional areas including premises liability, professional liability, employment, personal injury, and complex business litigation. As a judicial clerk during her second year of law school, Kelley was able to grow her knowledge and understanding of these various areas of law.

Before law school, Kelley began her legal career as an Offices Services Assistant with Cranfill Sumner while she was an undergraduate at Meredith College. After obtaining her paralegal certificate from Duke University, Kelley went on to work as a paralegal for nine years, seven of which were spent with Cranfill Sumner’s Raleigh and Charlotte offices. Understanding the anatomy of a case allows Kelley to maximize her efficiency without sacrificing the quality clients deserve and expect.

In her free time, Kelley enjoys spending time with her husband, actively avoiding learning how to cook, running, and using the Oxford comma.