Kelly Bauder has spent most of her legal career at the Marion County Public Defender Agency representing clients with various criminal charges. She handled hundreds of cases from misdemeanors to major felony cases, including murder cases. Prior to starting with the Marion County Prosecutor's Office (MCPO), Kelly investigated and litigated cases for the Indiana Department of Education involving teacher misconduct. Since 2021, Kelly has served as the co-director of the Conviction Integrity Unit of MCPO. She obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from Ball State University and her JD from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law.