Shelby K. Taylor
Associate
By offering practical, forward-thinking advice, I aim to prevent legal challenges before they arise, allowing employers to focus on what they do best: running their business.
As a labor and employment attorney, Shelby Taylor advises and represents employers on a wide range of employment law matters. Her experience working with nationwide and Texas-based businesses across various industries allows her to adapt and effectively guide clients through HR challenges, large and small. Shelby provides counsel on topics such as employee discipline and terminations, leaves of absence, accommodations, workforce reductions, and safeguarding confidential information and client relationships through the implementation and enforcement of restrictive covenant agreements.
Shelby also regularly drafts and reviews non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements, as well as other employee and contractor agreements, company policies, and employee handbooks.
Beyond Shelby’s counseling practice, she also represents employers in defending cases filed in federal and state courts and in arbitration. Her representation extends to proceedings before administrative agencies, such as the EEOC, DOL, NLRB, and the Texas Workforce Commission.
Outside of Work
Shelby thrives on competing in dog sports with her Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, enjoys exploring antique shops for unique finds, and loves getting together with friends for Mahjong.
- Employment
- Litigation, Disputes, Appeals
- Presented oral argument at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in § 1981 matter on behalf of financial institution client-appellee.
- Second-chaired federal jury trial in the Eastern District of Texas on behalf of public restaurant group client in million-dollar breach of contract action brought by former CEO, and received favorable ruling on appeal.
- First-chaired hearing in Texas state court and successfully obtained restraining order against former employee.
- Secured favorable ruling for supply chain company in labor arbitration on issues of back pay and fees.
Education
- SMU Dedman School of Law, J.D., 2018
- Texas A&M University, B.A., magna cum laude, 2015
Bar + Court Admissions
- Licensed in Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District, Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District, Texas
- U.S. District Court, Western District, Texas
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation; Labor and Employment Law – Management; Labor and Employment Litigation, 2021-2026
- Best Lawyers Under 40, D Magazine, 2024, 2026
- X – The Next Generation List, Litigation (Esp. Labor & Employment), Lawdragon 500, 2023-2025
- Leading Lawyers in America, Lawdragon 500, 2025
- Vice Chair, Dallas Bar Association, Employment Law Section
- LEAD YP, Dallas Regional Chamber, Class of 2024
- Member, Dallas Regional Chamber, Young Professionals Section
- Member, Dallas Association of Young Lawyers
- Member, Thomas Acquinas Lawyers’ Association
- Contributing Author, Christie A. Newkirk & Shelby K. Taylor, “Trends in Employment Law: What Lawyers Need to Know,” DBA Headnotes, 2026
- Contributing Author, Shelby Taylor et al., "Professional Liability," 11 SMU Ann. Tex. Surv. 155, 2025
- Speaker, Employment Law Survival Guide: Practical Tips for Hiring, Firing, and Beyond in Texas, TexasBarCLE’s Handling Your First (or Next) Transactional Matter, March 2025
- Speaker, How to Hire and Fire – A Global Guide (Texas), MultiLaw, 2025
- Author, Shelby K. Taylor et. al., "Professional Liability," 10 SMU Ann. Tex. Surv. 231, 2024
- Speaker, Christie A. Newkirk & Shelby K. Taylor, How to Hire and Fire – A Global Guide (Texas), MultiLaw, May 2024
- Speaker, Top Ten Things You Should Know about Employment Law, Texas NAHRO, March 2024
- Contributing Author, Mark A. Shank et al., “Texas Litigators’ Guide to Departing Employee Cases,” Tex. Lawbook, March 2022
- Contributing Author, “2020 Fair Labor Standards Act Midwinter Report,” Am. Bar Assn., February 2021
- Contributing Author, Mark A. Shank & Shelby K. Taylor, “Covid-19 and the Workplace: Top Trends in Employment Law,” 93 The Advoc. (Texas) 31, 31, 2020
