Hon. Kelley R. Southerland is a judge for the 17th Judicial District Court of Colorado. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Jared Polis on August 2, 2022, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Katherine R. Delgado (Ret.).
The 17th Judicial District includes Adams and Broomfield Counties.
Prior to her appointment, Southerland served as a magistrate for the 17th Judicial District since 2017. As such, she presided over domestic relations and juvenile matters.
Before joining the bench, she managed her own private practice, Kelley R. Southerland, LLC (2017; 2008 to 2015; 2002 to 2003) and was a partner at Radley & Southerland, LLC (2011 to 2017) and an associate at Beck, Jonson & Nolan, LLP (2006 to 2008); Katherine Karuschkat, LLC (2004 to 2006); and Kaplan Law, LLC (2003 to 2004). Her practice emphasized domestic relations, mediation, and juvenile law, with a focus on the best interests of children. Southerland was also a trained mediator, Child and Family Investigator, parenting coordinator, and Guardian ad Litem.
She received a B.A. in philosophy and religion from Wesleyan College in 1992. Southerland went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law (2000) and an M.A. in theology from the Iliff School of Theology (2001).
She is credited with the creation of Continuing Legal Education’s Family Law Evidence Practicum, which she also chaired. Her memberships have included the Thompson G. Marsh American Inn of Court (past president), the Colorado Women’s Bar Association, and the Colorado Bar Association.