About Commissioner Kelly Mertsoc
Kelly Mertsoc is an experienced judicial officer who combines a keen understanding of the law with a commitment to serving her community. A San Diego Superior Court Commissioner since 2011, she has worked in many departments of the court and currently serves a family law department, where she helps provide the best outcomes possible for children and families, and in a civil department.
Initially headed for a career in social work after working in group homes during and after college, Kelly became a paralegal and went on to earn her law degree at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She realized early on that the practice of family law allowed her to combine her passion for social work and her desire to seek justice. She has practiced law since 2000.
Kelly has volunteered extensively with the California 4-H Program since 2009, helping to create some of the most successful 4-H programs in the state. She served as Board President of Christie's Place, a local non-profit organization dedicated to serving women, children and families affected/infected by HIV/Aids. She has also been involved in youth in court programs, free public legal education and assisted in developing a charitable foundation for the North County Bar Association. Recently, Kelly was appointed by the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court to serve on the Judicial Council of California’s Family Law Education Curriculum Committee.
As a Commissioner, Kelly understands that people entering her courtroom are often experiencing the judicial system for the first time. She believes it is important to be respectful, fair, and accessible while serving the court and the people of San Diego County.