Kelly Hardwick is a 1993 graduate of the University of Mississippi, School of Law.

From May 1993 through June 1997 he worked with The Colom Law Firm in Columbus, before leaving to work for the Mississippi Home Corporation as general counsel. While with MHC, he issued opinions of counsel on over $250 million in single-family mortgage revenue bonds and over $20 million in multifamily mortgage revenue bonds. From September 2000 until June 2002, he served as chief of staff for Mississippi Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck in Jackson.