I grew up in Pensacola as an eighth generation Pensacola girl.  I graduated from Tulane University with a BA in Psychology.  I put myself through law school going full time year round at South Texas College of Law while working as a paralegal/office manager of a mid-size law firm in Houston, Texas.  My husband, David, and I returned to Pensacola in 1983 and I starting working at the Public Defender’s Office.  Our two adult daughters, Haley and Alison, are both recent college graduates so the time is right for me to focus my attention on leading the Public Defender’s Office.

Experience matters.  24 years living and breathing this job make me the best qualified candidate.  I know what it takes to do the job effectively and efficiently at every level.  I have the temperament and administrative skills necessary to work well with the Legislature and to manage our office in a cost effective manner.  I have the endorsement of Jack Behr, the retiring Public Defender, the Northwest Florida Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association, and many others involved in the criminal justice system.  I look forward to the challenge of leading our office and ensuring a smooth transition through these lean budgetary times. 

My professional organizations and community involvement include:

· Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

· Florida Association of Women Lawyers

· Drug Court Team Member Escambia County

· National and Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals

· Former Member Florida Bar Grievance Committee

· Treasurer, St. Michael’s Cemetery Foundation of Pensacola, Inc.

· Former Girl Scout Troop Leader, 8 years

 I will develop and maintain a good working relationship with our lawmakers in Tallahassee.  I will reach out to law enforcement, State Attorney, the Courts, the jails and the other agencies that we work with in an effort to cooperate and work together to resolve the increasing number of criminal prosecutions while continuing to protect the rights of our clients.  I will provide a professional work environment for our lawyers and support staff in an effort to retain experienced attorneys and to provide an efficient operation of our agency.

I am an honest, hard-working public servant.  The Public Defender’s Office has been my life’s work and I am proud to have served our community as an Assistant Public Defender for so many years.  I did not choose this profession to become rich or famous.  I fell in love with protecting the rights of the underdog.  I will turn this commitment toward encouraging the lawyers that want to do this type work to stay in our field and be proud of the service we provide our community.  I will also work toward providing our clients with the best possible disposition of their cases in an effort to keep them out of the criminal justice system in the future.

Kelly