Kelly was born in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids. In 1985 he received his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Michigan State University where he was a National Merit Scholar.  In December 1988, he received his law degree from University of Michigan Law School where he was the recipient of the Wolverine State Bar Association Scholarship.  In 1989, Kelly was licensed to practice law in New York.  In 1990 he was admitted to practice law in Michigan.  He was admitted to practice in the US District Court for Western and Eastern Districts of Michigan in 1990 and 2009, respectively.

Actively involved in community orginazations for years, Kelly has worked with the Clinic for Child Advocacy and a board member for United Way Justice Committe.  He has also been a legal writer for Grand Rapids Times, volunteers for neighborhood associations and election campaign committees, served on the Grand Rapids Community College Business Advisory Board, served as Trustee for Living Word Church and board member for Guiding Light Missions. 

Prior to his legal career, Mr. Lambert worked at the Pentagon for the Secretary of the Air Force.