Kelly
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The Pennsylvania Senate confirmed Gov. Tom Corbett's new choice to be attorney general Monday in a unanimous vote.
Linda Kelly was picked by Corbett, the former attorney general in his first year as governor, in February. She will replace interim attorney general William Ryan and serve the rest of Corbett's term, having promised not to run for the position in the 2012 election.
Kelly, 61, has been a prosecutor for more than 30 years, serving as both an assistant district attorney in Allegheny County and most recently as senior litigation counsel as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
She is also Pennsylvania's first female attorney general since Anne X. Alpern in 1959-61. Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, a Democrat, has already announced he will run for the position in 2012.
"She is a smart, dedicated, honest prosecutor who knows the law, knows the legal system and knows the needs of the people," Corbett added. "I have known Linda for more than 30 years, and can say from first-hand experience that the enforcement of Pennsylvania's laws has been placed in steady, reliable and honest hands."
Kelly is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English, and the Duquesne University School of Law.
The office has about 750 employees with 20 offices across the state.
From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at jobrienwv@gmail.com.