A native of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Kay Stothart Celles graduated with honors from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe. She earned her law degree from Louisiana State University's Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Kay has been engaged in private law practice since 1992, focusing on family law and successions. She also handles real estate transactions, title analysis, property partitions and foreclosures. 

Kay is the Hearing Officer for the 37th Judicial District Court in Caldwell Parish, hearing child support and paternity matters. She previously served as a Hearing Officer in the 5th Judicial District, presiding over child support, paternity and other family law cases, conducting pre-trial settlement conferences and making recommendations for judicial resolutions of disputes involving child custody, support and community property partition.

As a Certified Civil and Family Mediator, Kay has advanced training in conflict resolution. She is a member of Upstate Mediation Group, mediating family disputes throughout North Louisiana.