Shelly grew up in Morgantown, West Virginia and graduated from the West Virginia College of Law in 2006. Following her graduation, Shelly began her legal career as a law clerk at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. After her move to McMinnville, Oregon in 2007, Shelly worked as a law clerk for the Marion County Circuit Court, conducting legal research in a multitude of areas including family and criminal law. In 2008, Shelly took a break from the practice of law to focus on family and raising her two young children. She rejoined the legal community working as an associate in a private law firm in 2015 – that work confirmed her interest and dedication in practicing in the area of family law. In 2021, Fogarty Legal was established, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Shelly enjoys spending time with her two children, coaching basketball, and cheering on her beloved West Virginia Mountaineers in football and basketball.