Judge Patricia J. Kelly

Patricia J. Kelly was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 25, 1956 and received her J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law in 1986 and her B.A. degree in political science from the University of South Florida in 1983.  In 2001, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Judge Kelly to the Second District Court of Appeal.  Before being appointed to the court, Judge Kelly practiced law with firms in West Palm Beach and Tampa before leaving private practice to serve as a staff attorney to the Honorable James E. Lehan at the Second District Court of Appeal.  After returning to private practice, Judge Kelly limited her practice to appellate matters and in 1998, she obtained board certification in appellate law from the Florida Bar.  Judge Kelly has served on various committees including the Appellate Court Rules, the Pro Se Appellate Handbook, CLE, and Publications Committees of the Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section of the Florida Bar, and the steering committee for the 2007 Florida Appellate Justice Conference.  She is also a member of the Bruce R. Jacob Inn of Court.  Judge Kelly and her husband, Mark, have two children, Mark Patrick and Megan Elizabeth.