California Parole Suitability Hearings

No one is defined by their worst day.

California parole hearings require more than a record of completed programs or rehearsed answers. They require a person to understand how they once thought, what drove their decisions, what has changed, and how they will respond differently when life becomes difficult again. I help clients prepare to tell that story honestly, thoughtfully, and with authenticity.

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01 — Who I Help

For the person in the room, and the ones waiting at home.

Parole cases involve two audiences at once — the client inside, and the family carrying the case with them on the outside.

People Facing Parole Proceedings

I represent incarcerated people preparing for California parole suitability proceedings, including initial, subsequent, youth offender, elderly, medical, rescission, and reconsideration matters.

Family & Loved Ones

I help families understand the parole process, provide useful support, gather relevant information, and prepare for what may happen before and after the hearing.

02 — How I Can Help

Every hearing type. One standard of preparation.

No two parole hearings ask the same question. I tailor preparation and advocacy to the legal standard at issue, the complete record, and where a client stands today.

Initial & Subsequent Parole Youthful Offender Parole Elderly Parole Third-Striker Parole Medical Parole Rescission Proceedings Reconsideration Hearings En Banc Advocacy Insight Development View All Services →

03 — My Approach

The work of genuine insight & self-awareness.

Insight is not a collection of words to memorize.

Insight is the ability to look back across a life and understand, honestly, how someone became who they were — what shaped their thinking, what patterns kept repeating, and what has actually changed.

Self-awareness is not something that can be performed on command.

Self-awareness is the ability to notice, in the moment, what is happening in the body and mind — a nervous system rising, an old reaction taking hold, the instinct to shut down or push back.

I help clients build both, examining the experiences, beliefs, emotional reactions, thinking patterns, and decisions that contributed to their conduct. The goal is genuine understanding — not performance.

04 — Ethos

Representation rooted in accountability.

“I believe accountability and redemption can exist together. Every client should be treated with dignity while being prepared to confront difficult questions honestly.” Lori Kelley — Ethos

Inherent Worth

I believe every person has inherent worth, dignity, and the capacity for growth — and that no one is defined solely by the worst acts of their life.

Transformation

I believe people can accept responsibility for the harm they have caused, transform their lives, and find a path toward redemption.

Compassionate Representation

I provide nonjudgmental, compassionate, and trauma-informed representation that respects each client's autonomy and helps them understand their past, demonstrate meaningful change, and move toward their fullest potential.

“For I was in prison, and you came to me.” Matthew 25:36

One of several reflections shown across the site

“Whatever brought you here, you're met without judgment — only preparation.”

You do not have to understand the entire parole process before asking for help. A consultation is a place to begin.

Schedule a Consultation (916) 469-5220

Fees depend on the type of representation and the hearing location. A reduced fee is available for videoconference-only representation.

Lori Kelley Law

Attorney at Law · California Parole Suitability Hearings · Sacramento, California