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Shelby Emley

Associate Litigator

Shelby was raised primarily in New Jersey, with several formative years spent living overseas in Singapore and China, an experience that shaped her global perspective and adaptability. Now based in Centreville, she brings that breadth of experience to her role as a Litigation Associate at Legacy Elder Law Center, where she leads the probate department, handles guardianship matters, and works extensively in litigation. With a background in prosecution, Shelby has significant courtroom experience and well-honed advocacy skills, enabling her to represent clients in complex, emotionally charged legal proceedings confidently. She is especially passionate about helping individuals and families navigate the court system during times of uncertainty and transition.

Shelby earned her undergraduate degree from Chestnut Hill College, where she double-majored in criminal justice and sociology with a minor in Spanish, and her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. Her legal education included internships in New York, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Outside of her practice, Shelby enjoys reading, traveling, and hiking with her two rescue dogs—Digby, an 11-year-old golden retriever mix, and Shady, an 8-year-old Australian cattle dog mix. An avid traveler, she hopes to visit Australia, Scotland, and Ireland in the coming years and values staying connected with family near and far.

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Online Reviews

Provided strategic snd informative help in understanding the process of care for an aging spouse.
Response from the owner:Thank you, William, for your kind words. We’re glad we could provide strategic, informative guidance as you navigate care decisions for your spouse. These situations can be complex, and our goal is always to bring clarity and confidence to the process. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything further—we’re here to help.
Kamlesh Kaur
26/05/01
Excellent
Response from the owner:Thank you Kamlesh for taking the time to leave us good review!
Very professional and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this law firm!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Melissa, for your kind words! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It’s great to hear that you found our team to be professional and knowledgeable—that’s exactly what we strive for with every client. We’re grateful for your recommendation and were glad to have the opportunity to assist you!
Amber I
26/04/22
During a very difficult time in our lives losing our father, and everything surrounding the way it all happened, Emily was truly incredible. She went far beyond anything we could have hoped for, showing real compassion, strength, and unwavering support. She restored my faith in attorneys and helped carry my family through a time we will never forget. I’m forever grateful for her. Emily is truly one of a kind, a shining star in a dark tunnel. This team is lucky to have such a gem!
Response from the owner:Amber, thank you for taking the time to share this—especially during what sounds like an incredibly difficult and emotional time for your family. We are very sorry for your loss, and we truly appreciate you trusting us to be part of that process. Your words about Emily Wanchisn mean a great deal. She takes immense pride in supporting families not just legally, but personally, and it’s clear she made a meaningful impact for you when it mattered most. We’ll be sure to share this with her and the entire team. Thank you again for your kind words and for allowing us to assist your family during such a challenging time.
Thomas
26/04/21
Professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you Thomas for leaving us a positive review!
B
26/04/15
I’m not going to get into details here. I’ll just leave you with one thing. Would I ever go back and use this firm for other family matters? No, I would not. I didn’t have the confidence in them. That said, trust your gut.
Response from the owner:Hi B, We’re unable to identify any record of you in our system based on the name provided, which makes it difficult to determine whether you actually interacted with our firm. There is also a similarly named firm in the area, so it’s possible this review may be intended for another firm. If you did work with us, we’re open to discussing your concerns directly—please contact the office so we can verify and address them.
Jordan B
26/04/13
GO ELSEWHERE
Response from the owner:We’re sorry to see this review. At this time, we’re unable to locate a recent client or interaction under the name provided. It’s possible there may be some confusion, as there is similarly named firm in the area. That said, we take all feedback seriously and are always happy to address any concerns. If you intended to reach our office or had an experience with us, please feel free to contact us directly so we can assist you.
Dave Norden
26/04/09
Easy to set up an appointment and very helpful.
Response from the owner:Thanks Dave for leaving us a review, happy to help!
The staff I spoke with and emailed were helpful and professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you Robert for taking the time to leave us a review, we are pleased that you found the staff here at the firm helpful and professional.

Memberships & Associations

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Legacy Elder Law Center’s ability to listen to you, map out a financial strategy and follow through with expert planning and advocacy is invaluable in securing your family’s financial future no matter what event comes along down the road.

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The consultation was very thorough and it is clear Rory Clark had a great deal of experience and knowledge, even if the situation may be time sensitive due to an illness or family emergency
Our consultation with The Legacy Elder Law Center was very helpful and help us refine and understand our needs. Being able to do it remotely via computer was very convenient
Legacy Elder Law was very helpful in assisting me and my family in establishing a Special Needs Trust and ensuring Medicaid covered my mother's rehabilitation cost. Rory is extremely knowledgeable with all aspects of Elder law and in particular Medicare & Medicaid. Odalis worked closely with us, assisted us through the whole process, answered all of our questions, and was a strong advocate for us in dealing with the various agencies.
Very professional and knowledgeable. We highly recommend this law firm!