Michelle M. Keller

Michelle Meier Keller (born 1960) is an American judge and lawyer, who has been a justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court since 2013.[1]

Michelle M. Keller
Associate Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court
Incumbent
Assumed office February 2013
Appointed by	Steve Beshear
Preceded by	Wilfrid Schroder
Judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals
In office November 2006 – February 2013
Personal details
Born	1960 (age 59–60) Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
Political party	Democratic
Education	Northern Kentucky University (AA, BS, JD)

Keller was born and raised in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.[2] She attended Northern Kentucky University, where she completed an associate's degree in nursing in 1980, a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985, and a law degree in 1990, at the Salmon P. Chase College of Law.[1]

Keller worked in private practice as a criminal defense lawyer, and as an assistant county prosecutor.[3] She was elected as a state judge on the Kentucky Court of Appeals for the 6th appellate district in November 2006, defeating rival Owen Kennedy by 63% to 37%.[4]

The Governor of Kentucky Steve Beshear appointed Keller to the Supreme Court of Kentucky in April 2013, to replace retired justice Wilfrid Schroder.[2] Keller represents the 6th Supreme Court district, which covers 21 counties in Northern Kentucky.[2] She was re-elected to a new eight-year term in November 2014, defeating challenger Teresa Cunningham by 58% to 42%.[5][6] Her current term expires on January 1, 2023.

The honors Keller has received include a Donated Legal Services Award from the Kentucky Bar Association in 2009, for her pro bono work, and a Richard D. Lawrence Lifetime Achievement Award from the Northern Kentucky Bar Association in 2013.[1]

References

1. "Justice Michelle M. Keller". Kentucky Court of Justice. Commonwealth of Kentucky. 2017. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
2. Mugrave, Beth (April 3, 2013). "Judge Michelle Keller to become third female justice on Kentucky Supreme Court". Lexington Herald-Leader. Lexington, Kentucky. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
3. Kroeger, Laura (August 31, 2015). "Spotlight on Women: A conversation with Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Michelle M. Keller". Northern Kentucky Tribune. Edgewood, Kentucky. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
4. "Report of "Official" Election Night Tally Results". Kentucky State Board of Elections. Commonwealth of Kentucky. December 1, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
5. Wartman, Scott (October 27, 2017). "Abortion issue heats up Supreme Court race". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
6. Grimes, Alison (November 2014). "Official 2014 General Election Results" (PDF). Kentucky Secretary of State. Commonwealth of Kentucky. Retrieved September 23, 2017.

Legal offices
Preceded by Wilfrid Schroder	Associate Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court 2013–present	Incumbent