Kelley J. Ruda, Esq.
Profile
Kelley is an Associate Attorney with The Ledbetter Law Firm, P.L.C. While in law school, Kelley earned top honors for her academic achievement and served as Managing Editor of the Florida Coastal Law Review. She has articles published in both the Florida Coastal Law Review and the Environs Environmental Law and Policy Journal. Kelley's diverse interests led her to a work as a research assistant focusing on environmental law issues, serve as a teaching assistant for civil procedure and property, and clerk for a civil defense firm. Kelley has appeared in front of the Solicitor General for the Cayman Islands for mock oral arguments and studied international law as a visiting student at the William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. She was also voted "Most Likely to Become a TV Judge" by her peers.
Kelley began practicing law at the Yavapai County Public Defender's Office, where she gained valuable experience both in and out of the courtroom defending juveniles in delinquency and dependency cases. She is currently a member of the Estate Planning Professionals Network and practices primarily in the areas of estate planning, domestic relations, corporate formations and civil litigation.
Personal Background
Kelley was born and raised on a farm in Bumpass, Virginia. She slowly made her way down the east coast, attending college in South Carolina and law school in Jacksonville, Florida. She decided to take the Arizona State Bar and arrived in Arizona in July of 2007. She currently resides in Prescott with her husband, Aaron.
Education
- Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D. 2007, magna cum laude
- Clemson University, B.S. Economics & Geology, 2004, summa cum laude
Admitted
- Arizona Supreme Court, 2007
- U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 2010
Employment History
- Associate; The Ledbetter Law Firm, P.L.C. (2008 - Present)
- Deputy Public Defender; Juvenile Division, Yavapai County (2007)
- Law Clerk; Schutt, Schmidt, Burnett & Noey (2005 - 2006)
Honors/Memberships
- Member, Estate Planning Professionals Network
- Member, Verde Valley Bar Association
