--- title: "Patricia J. Kelly | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/patricia-j-kelly" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Patricia J. Kelly Florida Second District Court of Appeal · District Court of Appeal Judge ## Profile - Court: Florida Second District Court of Appeal - State: Florida - Role: District Court of Appeal Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### media and still photography Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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 allowed [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Judge-Patricia-J.-Kelly) - [Official roster](https://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Judge-Patricia-J.-Kelly) - [Florida appellate courts official judge directories official judicial roster](https://2dca.flcourts.gov/Judges/Judge-Patricia-J.-Kelly) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6949/patricia-j-kelly/) - [Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage](https://ninthcircuit.org/florida-rule-judicial-administration-2450) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6949/patricia-j-kelly/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/patricia-j-kelly", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/patricia-j-kelly", "name": "Patricia J. 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