Kentucky: Court of Justice - Judge Michelle M. Keller

Michelle M. Keller was elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals in November 2006 to serve as judge for Division 1 of the 6th Appellate District. She currently serves as the Court of Appeals representative on the Judicial Conduct Commission.

Prior to her election, Judge Keller practiced with Arnzen, Wentz, Molloy, Laber and Storm PSC in Covington. Her extensive legal experience includes representing clients in the area of criminal defense and serving as an assistant county prosecutor. Her work in litigation includes family law, personal injury and medical negligence defense. She also is experienced in administrative law and has served the Kentucky Personnel Board as a former hearing officer and a current chairwoman emeritus. She is a member of the National Association of Administrative Law Judges and has represented numerous clients before state regulatory and licensure boards. She is currently an adjunct professor at Xavier University where she teaches medical/legal research, writing and forensics.

She has been a licensed registered nurse in Kentucky since 1982. While working as an RN in critical care, Judge Keller received her bachelor's degree in psychology in l985 from Northern Kentucky University, where she received the Charlotte Schmidlapp Scholarship. Judge Keller attended the evening division of Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law while working full time. She was an Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) Scholar during law school and received her juris doctor in 1990.

Judge Keller has served the Northern Kentucky Bar Association as chairwoman of the Women Lawyer's Section and as a member of numerous committees. She represented the 16th Judicial Circuit on the Kentucky Bar Association's former House of Delegates.

In addition to her professional service, Judge Keller has a strong commitment to public service. She is a former chairwoman and board member for the Diocesan Catholic Children's Home. She is a founding and current member of the Northern Kentucky Children's Advocacy Center Advisory Council and has served the interests of children in court as a guardian ad litem. Judge Keller also volunteers with the Women's Crisis Center and her local church and is an Academic Team coach at her daughters' school.

Judge Keller is a lifelong Kentuckian and the oldest of five children. She and her husband, Dr. James Keller, have two daughters, Brenna and Olivia.