Shelly has practiced law in state and federal courts, including the Texas and United States Supreme Courts, for 20 years. Shelly is a mediator and arbitrator as well earning  a Diploma in International Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London.  She is a frequent speaker and author on LGBT law and online free speech. Shelly recently earned an LL.M. in Constitutional Law and Law & Sexuality from UCLA School of Law and is now a Senior Staff Attorney for Lambda Legal, whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education, and policy work.  Shelly also teaches LGBT law as an adjunct professor in Texas.