Former Essex County Public Defense Lawyer, Now in Albany, Receives Recognition

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (07/24/2013)(readMedia)-- Angela Kelley walked out of the Bar Exam, "packed up her stuff in Albany, and showed up ready to work on Monday morning" at the Essex County Public Defender Office. In that small program of three attorneys, the ability to learn fast is critical. Public Defender Brandon Boutelle, who described Kelley's 2011 arrival in his office in the words above, said Kelley learned fast under the supervision required for law graduates awaiting admission and then as a new attorney.

She also learned well. On Monday night, during the New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) Annual Meeting and Conference, Kelley received the Kevin M. Anderson award founded by the Genesee County Public Defender Office, Boutelle nominated Kelley for the award just after she left his office to join the Albany County Public Defender Office. She embodies, he said, "the highest level of professionalism people expect of attorneys and is a shining example of the top-notch talent working in the field of public/indigent defense today." Similar praise was expressed by North Elba Town Justice James Rogers III, who wrote to Kelley upon hearing of her departure, "Please know that I appreciate the two years you spent in my court and the professionalism you brought to the table every time." Rogers lauded Kelley's sincere effort to give her clients "the best representation available."

Kelley attended the 2012 Defender Institute Basic Trial Skills Program, a week-long, client-centered training event that NYSDA presents annually. According to Boutelle, Kelley's preparation for and presentation during her first jury trial "was so polished and professional that one could not tell" she had not done one before. And, he said, her skill was reflected in the fact that the jury had to deliberate "longer than any other jury in recent Essex County Court history" – two full days.

In addition to her trial court skills, Boutelle said Kelley "is a rockstar appellate attorney and legal writer." She recently won an important victory in the Appellate Division in a case regarding sentencing of youthful offenders that resulted in her client's release. Boutelle concluded his nomination letter by noting, "We need attorneys like Angela Kelley to stay in public defense!"

The Kevin M. Andersen Memorial Award was created in 2004 to remember and honor a lifelong public defender known for his dedication, his ability to be angered to his core by injustice, the will to fight ferociously for his clients, and the compassion to grant each client the dignity deserved as a human being. The award is presented to an attorney who has been in practice less than fifteen years, practices in the area of indigent defense, and exemplifies the sense of justice, determination, and compassion that were Kevin's hallmarks.