Kelley Gillette-Walker

Kelley Gillette-Walker is a life-long resident of Centre County, having graduated from Bald Eagle Area High School in 1993. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from Penn State in 1997. While at Penn State, Kelley was a member of the Penn State Kickline (now known as the Lionettes) and a member of the Silver National Mock Trial Team. In 2000, Kelley graduated from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University after having served as a teaching assistant for the Mock Trial program and winning the CALI Award for Excellence in Law and Medicine. She began her legal career in Lebanon County working for a private law firm practicing civil law. After that short detour around Pennsylvania, Kelley returned “home” to Centre County to practice law. She practiced family law and criminal defense and became a shareholder within her firm. In 2010, Kelley joined the Centre County District Attorney’s Office and began prosecuting various misdemeanor and felony cases. Upon the retirement of now senior judge Daniel Hoffman, Kelley ran for and was elected in the primary to the seat that she currently holds. She took office in 2014 and won re-election in 2019. Kelley is active in the Special Court Judges Association, chairing the Rules Committee and serving on the Computer Committee. She was elected District II Director in 2020. She is president of the parent organization at her daughter’s school and has been married to her high school sweetheart since 2003.