Kelly McIntosh Roberson was born in Mobile, AL, but grew up in New Orleans in the Garden District. There, she attended the Louise S. McGehee School for twelve years during which she developed a love of musical theatre, choir, biology, the French language, and cross country running.
Following high school graduation, Kelly moved to Athens, Georgia and attended the University of Georgia. At Georgia, she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity, and ultimately majored in criminal justice. Kappa Alpha Theta’s national philanthropy project was and remains C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocates), an organization that opened Kelly’s eyes to the tribulations many people experience when they are embroiled in the court system. Additionally, as a college senior, Kelly worked as an intern in the Athens-Clarke County Police Department Detectives division, where she was able to observe and investigate many catastrophic events like homicides and fatal car accidents immediately after they occurred. The aftermath of the suffering the deceased’s family and friends endured is something she never forgot.
Law is a longtime interest of Kelly’s because her (step) father was a criminal defense attorney in Panama City and would often share and discuss trial strategies and thought-provoking legal issues he faced with her. So, it seemed a natural fit after undergraduate school to follow in his footsteps and pursue a career in criminal defense.
To that end, Kelly moved to Oxford, Mississippi, and attended the University of Mississippi School of Law. Ole Miss Law School was an incredibly instructive experience and exposed Kelly to many excellent professors who further enlightened her to the world’s injustices, many of which lawyers have the power to the right.
After graduation, Kelly moved to Panama City and began her career with her father’s firm, Daniel & Komarek where she was fortunate to sit as co-counsel in several high-profile, heavily litigated trials as an extremely young lawyer. Many lessons were learned while at Daniel & Komarek, and the experience was a worthwhile one, but the inequalities in the legal system and social injustice pulled at her heart. So, Kelly decided to join Herman Laramore at the Office of the Public Defender, knowing that there she could offer help to those who otherwise could not afford counsel. She remained at the Public Defender’s Office for roughly 18 years, except for a short stint when she chose to stay home with her infants until they reached pre-school age.
Kelly now brings to Perry & Young the same heart for service she brought to the Public Defender’s Office.
Kelly and her husband Jim live in Panama City with their twin daughters. She enjoys SEC football, traveling, hunting, scuba diving, our beautiful beaches, sharing a good meal, and spending time with friends and family. Kelly is not only a skilled attorney but also a breast cancer survivor. Every day she fights for her clients. She is a wonderful example of what it means to be strong during difficult times.
