Term Expires: December 2014 
Office Hours: Call for an Appointment 
Contact: (951) 461- 6015
(951) 698-9885 Fax
kbennett@murrieta.org

Personal Goal Statement

Since her election as the first woman to serve on the Murrieta City Council in 2006, Kelly Bennett has worked hard to bring creative, practical solutions to all issues.  Ms. Bennett was instrumental in establishing the City's first Youth Court Program, an alternate diversion program for first-time, low-level juvenile offenders.  This program has received regional publicity and is highly regarded as an inventive way to solve the backlog of court cases in our system.  Bringing this sense of reasonable problem-solving skills to Murrieta has produced substantial results.  Murrieta remains one of the safest cities in the country, public-private partnerships are increasing, and the City is expanding its economic development efforts. 

Personal Bio

Ms. Bennett is a licensed attorney and CEO of Mediation Law Group, a nationwide dispute resolution firm.  Since taking office in 2006, she serves as a proactive community leader and policy maker.  In addition to her involvement with the Youth Court Program, she initiated the annual "Cocktails for a Cause" event for Safe Alternatives For Everyone (S.A.F.E.), benefitting victims fleeing homes of domestic violence.  Ms. Bennett also led Southwest Riverside County's first collaborative effort of area food banks which culminated in the successful first annual Heaven on Earth Food Drive.

A well known mediator and arbitrator, Ms. Bennett received her certification in alternative dispute resolution from the Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law in 1990 (member of the first graduating class) and has presided over hundreds of cases. She received her law degree from Pepperdine School of Law (1990) and her B.A. from Pepperdine University (1987). A frequent public speaker, instructor and consultant in resolution skills, Ms. Bennett has authored numerous articles and materials on the subject. Most recently, she authored The Creative Covenant Marriage with Pastor Ed Young (Fellowship Church, Grapevine, Texas) and Dennis G. Brewer, Esq., Plan B for Christian Schools, and was featured in the August 2007 edition of Inland Empire Magazine.

Ms. Bennett and her husband have been married for over 20 years and live in Murrieta with their two daughters.

Partial List of Committee Assignments (Past / Present)

• Western Riverside Council of Governments, Executive Committee 
• Joint Murrieta School District Joint Use Subcommittee
• Joint Murrieta/Temecula Subcommittee
• Council Liaison to Murrieta Chamber of Commerce
• Council Legislative Workgroup Member
• Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency (Alternate)
• Riverside County Transportation Commission Board (Alternate) 

Partial List of Community Involvement (Past / Present)

• City Councilmember, City of Murrieta, 2006 - Present
• Southwest Riverside County Bar Association, 2008 Board Member, 2007 President, 2006 Vice President
• Riverside County Bar Association
• Murrieta Youth Court Steering Committee, Charter Member
• Court-Community Planning Committee, Riverside County Superior Court
• Settlement Officer/Judge Pro Tem for the Riverside County Superior Court
• Safe Alternatives For Everyone (S.A.F.E.) Domestic Violence Prevention Advisory Board
• United Way Inland Valley, Regional Advisory Board Member
• Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone (3rd District)'s Race for Humanity:  "Food Drive for Humanity" Chairperson
• Association for Conflict Resolution, Practitioner-Level Member
• Masters' Forum, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine School of Law
• Christian Management Association
• Arbitration Panel Member, National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD)
• National Association of Church Business Administration
• Daniels Inn (Temecula Valley Chapter)
• Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution
• Christian Legal Society
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America
• Southern California Mediation Association
• Federal Bar Association
• Association of Fundraising Professionals