Patricia J. Kelly at a glance
- Current role
- District Court of Appeal Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Patricia J. Kelly
District Court of Appeal Judge · Florida Second District Court of Appeal
Biography
Professional career
- Also listed as Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara since 2010
- Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2001-present
- Presiding Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, 2018-2018
- Presiding Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, 2017-2017
- Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, 2010-2017
- Official site: Second District Court of Appeal – Judge Patricia J. Kelly Second District Court of Appeal
- Began her legal career in private practice with firms in West Palm Beach and Tampa, then held the role of a staff attorney to Judge James E. Lehan at the Second District Court of Appeal Second District Court of Appeal
Education
- B.A. in political science from the University of South Florida in 1983 and her J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law in 1986.
Additional information
- In the most recent 2022 retention election, she received 67.4% “Yes” votes out of nearly 2 million cast
- Judge Kelly has been retained by voters in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022.
- Governor Jeb Bush appointed her to the Florida Second District Court of Appeal in 2001.
- Practitioner, 2000-2000
- focusing on appellate matters, and in 1998 received board certification in appellate law from The Florida Bar Second District Court of Appeal
- She later returned to private practice
- She is also a member of several Inns of Court Second District Court of Appeal
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media And Still Photography
Statewide
Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.
Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowedFlorida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Florida Second District Court of Appeal
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster ↗CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View CourtListener judicial biographical directory ↗Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗