Born in New Orleans but raised in Baton Rouge, Kelley graduated from Louisiana State University after graduating from Episcopal School. In 1999, she moved back to New Orleans to attend Loyola University New Orleans, where she earned her Master of Science in Secondary Education.
While teaching middle and high school during the day, Kelley attended Loyola University College of Law in the evening, graduating early in December 2005 in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, with Loyola Law Review and Moot Court honors. A lifelong learner, Kelley later pursued her Master of Science in Business Administration and Women’s Leadership Academy at Loyola University.
After passing the bar, Kelley joined a local firm with a very diverse practice but cut her litigation chops on Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita cases. Kelley then went on to be a managing attorney and chief operating officer at two large local personal injury firms. Wanting to work at a smaller firm that fosters strong relationships with clients along with quality advocacy, Kelley joined Kiefer and Kiefer.
Kelley’s experience as an educator, manager, and leader allows her to have a very client-centric approach to her practice. She views clients as people with real feelings and perspectives, and advocates whole-heartedly for her clients. She believes in a strong attorney-client relationship that includes regular communication with her clients, so they can understand the process and work as a team to get the justice that is rightfully deserved.
Kelley is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans Bar Association, and Jefferson Bar Association. She is admitted to practice in all Louisiana State and Federal courts, as well as the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal. She is a licensed notary public who is commissioned in all Louisiana parishes.
Kelley is also an active board member for Louisiana Guardianship Services, Inc. (past President), and served on several other non-profit boards, including Save Our Cemeteries, Forum for Equality Foundation, Shelter Resources d/b/a Belle Reve, and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of New Orleans. An avid roller-skater, Kelley is a retired All-Star Team skater for Big Easy Roller Derby. She is a member of Krewe of Muses, Krewe of Iris, Chewbacchus/Leijorettes, and 2.2 Marching Club (past Queen). In November 2008, she was selected as a member of Gambit Weekly’s “40 Under 40,” in honor of her contributions to the New Orleans metropolitan region.
Kelley is the mother to Amy, Maggie, and Buddy, and has two black Labrador Retrievers (Maizie and Sammy), a Morkie (Gigi Verne), and two guinea pigs (Daisy and Chocky Chip), and lives with her husband D.I. in the Fontainebleau neighborhood in New Orleans.
