Shelby K. Taylor
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Shelby K. Taylor

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, safeguarding confidential information and client relationships through non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements, as well as drafting and reviewing employee agreements, company policies, and handbooks. Beyond Shelby’s counseling practice, she also represents employers before federal and state agencies (including the EEOC, DOL, NLRB, and Texas Workforce Commission), at mediation, arbitration, and throughout all stages of litigation and pre-litigation.

Significant Matters

  • 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

Areas of Focus

Education

Education

  • Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law (J.D., 2018)
  • Texas A&M University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2015)

Admissions

Bar Admissions
  • Texas, 2018
Court Admissions
  • Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District, Texas
  • U.S. District Court, Western District, Texas

Leadership

  • Dallas Regional Chamber, LEAD YP, Class of 2024
  • Dallas Regional Chamber, Young Professionals Section, Member
  • Dallas Bar Association, Employment Law Section, Member
  • Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, Member

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation; Labor and Employment Law – Management; Labor and Employment Litigation, 2021-2025
  • Named to D Magazine's "Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas" List, 2024
  • Lawdragon 500 X - The Next Generation List, Litigation (Esp. Labor & Employment), 2023-2024

Speeches/Publications

  • 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
  • Christie A. Newkirk & Shelby K. Taylor, How to Hire and Fire – A Global Guide (Texas), MultiLaw (2025)
  • Shelby K. Taylor et. al., Professional Liability, 10 SMU Ann. Tex. Surv. 231 (2024)
  • Christie A. Newkirk & Shelby K. Taylor, How to Hire and Fire – A Global Guide (Texas), MultiLaw (May 2024)
  • Speaker, Texas NAHRO, Top Ten Things You Should Know about Employment Law (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
  • Mark A. Shank & Shelby K. Taylor, Covid-19 and the Workplace: Top Trends in Employment Law, 93 The Advoc. (Texas) 31, 31 (2020)

Outside of Work

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.