ABOUT JUDGE SHELLEY

Ellen grew up in South Carolina as the daughter of an elementary school teacher and electrical contractor.  She attended undergraduate at the University of South Carolina, where she served on the board of the College Republicans, and law school at the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama, where she served as student body President and chairperson for the nationally-recognized trial advocacy program.  

 Judge Shelley was appointed by the North Carolina Governor in May 2019 to serve as District Court Judge in Judicial District 41, serving McDowell and Rutherford counties, succeeding the seat of the Honorable Laura A. Powell.  Prior to her appointment as District Court Judge, Ellen worked in private practice as a managing partner of Evans & Shelley, PA with her husband, Wesley R. Shelley, with her practice focused on litigation.  She was overwhelmingly re-elected to another term by the citizens of McDowell and Rutherford Counties in 2022.   

Ellen’s community involvement includes serving as Vice President of the McDowell County Bar Association, and as a Member on the Board of Directors for the McDowell Technical Community College Foundation and the Historic Carson House.  She has been involved with the Judicial District 29A Indigent Defense Committee, McDowell County Chamber of Commerce, Marion Business Association, McDowell Economic Development Association, McDowell County Board of Realtors, Marion Lake Club, the Maxwell M. Corpening, Jr. Memorial YMCA, the North Carolina Bar Association and the Republican Party.  

Ellen lives in Marion with her husband, Wesley R. Shelley, and dog, Conrad.  In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and engaging with local businesses and members of the community to better the lives of citizens in McDowell and Rutherford Counties.