Candidate: Albert Kelley

Albert Kelley, a longtime Key West attorney has announced his campaign for Monroe County Court Judge.   Albert graduated with honors from Florida State University College of Law in 1989 after interning at the State Attorney’s Office in Lee County where he prosecuted criminal cases. He moved to Monroe County in December 1989 and went to work in a four-lawyer firm, handling criminal defense, family and civil cases.  He opened his current office at 926 Truman Avenue in 1995.  His office handles business/contracts law, landlord/tenant, small claims, collections, real estate, probate, and foreclosure.

In 2000 Albert was named chairman of the Monroe County Career Service Council, a quasi-judicial agency. In 2008 he was certified by the Supreme Court as a Circuit Civil Mediator.  For the last six years Al has served as the Magistrate for the 16th Judicial Court and has also handled code compliance cases for the City of Key West.  He currently serves on the 16th Judicial Circuit’s Pro Bono Committee and is Vice-Chairman of the 16th Judicial Circuit's Professionalism Committee.

The Kelley family has always focused on public service: Albert’s father served in the United States Marine Corp for 20 years.  His sister taught in the public school system, devoting her entire 40-year career to teaching disabled students.  His brother was a traveling dialysis nurse, working from Florida to Alaska.  Al’s wife manages a senior citizen housing complex. His  daughter is an emergency room nurse at Lower Keys Medical Center.  His my son-in-law served in the Coast Guard for 20 years and is now a police officer with the Key West Police Department.  As Albert stated, “Service is not what we do; it’s who we are.” He said he wants to "continue my public service by using my training, ability and knowledge to improve access to the court and to provide the public with a better understanding of the law."

Albert has been involved in various public service organizations during his time in Key West. He was a two-time president of the Key West Jaycees and a two-time president of the Key West Youth Club.  He served on the Board of Habitat For Humanity and Art Behind Bars.

"The law should not be a mystery.  I have spent my law career educating others. I served as a professor for St. Leo University, teaching Criminal Law and Business Law classes.  I proctored the certification of the Monroe County personnel managers.  For ten years I have written columns for various newspapers.  I hosted a business law radio show.  I have also published five law books (Basics of Business Law, Basics of Florida’s Landlord/Tenant Law, Basics of Florida’s Small Claims Court, Basics of Starting a Florida Business and “Basics of Florida’s Judicial System”). I have also given seminars to the Monroe County Bar Association, at Florida State University and to the Jacksonville Bar. I will use this position to keep educating the public on the judicial process and legal decisions.I ask for your vote on August 23.

Contact Information:

• Address: 926 Truman Ave, Key West, FL 33040
• Phone number: (305) 296-0160
• Email: keywestlaw@gmail.com

Signed up on October 24, 2019