Mellie Kelley

Legal Assistant/Office Administrator

Mellie supports the director of the SELC Charleston office by overseeing daily operations. This includes managing supplies, planning events, and serving as the main office contact. She also drafts, proofs, formats, and files documents with the court. She conducts research, and performs office accounting, including expense reports and budgets. She coordinates the intern program for the Charleston office, and assists with onboarding new staff. 

Previously, Mellie’s work as a legal assistant supported environmental and business litigation teams, as well as a team dedicated to a toxic tort case involving the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

“A healthy environment is a basic human right,” Mellie says. “I have always been passionate about protecting the place that myself and so many others call home. SELC’s work gives our region and environment the strong, unwavering voice that it needs.”

Mellie was born and raised in Charleston. She grew up going to Folly Beach and became fascinated by the biodiversity, beautiful sunsets, and eclectic community.

“I made wonderful memories exploring the beach with family and friends, and it sparked my interest in environmental protection,” she says. “I have watched Charleston grow at a rapid rate. I am proud that SELC has dedicated so much time and effort to protecting our coast and all the communities that make Charleston such a special place to be.”

Previous experience

• Nexsen Pruet, LLC, legal assistant
• Alan M. Tanenbaum, P.A., legal assistant
• WestLaw certified
• B.A., College of Charleston, applied communication (expected 2024)
• With SELC since 2022