Rainelda Mata-Kelly started her private practice in commercial and maritime law in 1992, and her firm has grown to include five lawyers and 15 support staff, specializing in corporations, foundations, contracts, immigration, real estate, trademark and maritime law.
Mata-Kelly graduated magna cum laude in Law and Political Science at Santa Maria La Antigua University in Panama and earned a Masters of Law from Cornell University. In 1991, she became a Miami Correspondent for La Prensa, the Panamanian newspaper, and was promoted to Executive Editor.
During her professional practice, Ms. Mata-Kelly has acted as legal advisor to the Colon Free Trade Zone Merchants Association and to INTERED (Internet Service Providers' Association). Her work in this capacity included lobbying before the Panamanian Legislative Assembly on  taxes, free trade zones and prevention of money laundering. She has been active in professional and business associations and is a recurring speaker on immigration, business and relocation issues at conferences worldwide.