Until his retirement in 2003, Kelly was executive vice president and general counsel of Reliant Energy and CenterPoint Energy, successor companies to Houston Lighting & Power Company. Before joining HL&P, he was a partner in the trial and utility regulatory departments of Baker & Botts in Houston.

A Houston native, Kelly graduated from Rice University and served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He received a law degree from The University of Texas, where he served as editor in chief of the Texas Law Review and graduated with high honors.

Kelly has been active with the Civil Justice Reform Group and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, and in a number of judicial selection reform groups. He is a member of the American Law Institute and the Houston, Texas and American Bar associations. He has also served as a board member and officer of numerous organizations, including cultural, health care, city improvement and others. Hugh and his wife Molly live in Houston. They have two grown daughters.