Shelly Booth Cooley
(Attorney and Counselor at Law)
5 Star Reviews
“Caring and Competent!! - My custody situation was a difficult one, including and out of state parent who refused to comply with returning my child after an arranged visit. After researching MANY lawyers it was clear Shelly was the right choice! She personally answers all her calls and without me even having hired her yet she was already giving me helpful information and was very sympathetic to my situation. I could not be any happier with Shelly's professionalism and kind demeanor. Hopefully I won't need a lawyer again, but if I do I will definitely always stick with Shelly.”
– Melissa (from Avvo)
“I can honestly say that The Cooley Law Firm genuinely cared about the outcome of my case and not just a payday. Retain this firm and you can count on a determined and well prepared legal team that is truly on your side. Highly recommend!”
– Van (from Facebook)
“Great Lawyer - Shelly is a knowledgeable competent lawyer. My main concern was preserving my niece/nephews inheritance. She was able to accomplish that and then some. She was very professional and answered all of my questions. She even set up paperwork for me to be able to complete a yearly filing on my own, although now that I know all that it entails, I would probably recommend her do it.”
– Wendy (from Avvo)
“So understanding - My last lawyer took my money and ran. Shelly was so understanding and helped me feel safe and walked me through all the steps. Answered all my panicked phone calls. She did an amazing job.”
– Jennie (from Avvo)
"Shelly is a great attorney to work with! She is kind and intelligent. I often recommend her for surrogacy clients!"
Kimberly Surratt, Family Attorney
"I endorse Shelly. We've had cases together. Shelly is forthright, intelligent, intuitive, professional, and excellent both in the Courtroom and outside of the Courtroom. She is someone I admire."
Amber Robinson, Family Attorney
"Shelly is a fierce counsel who is unafraid of taking on difficult and often contentious family law cases. Her ability to stay above the fray, and remain focused on task is a hallmark of her professionalism. Her clients benefit tremendously from her expertise."
Mario Fenu, Divorce and separation Attorney
"I endorse this lawyer. Shelly is an exellent and highly experienced family law attorney. She does a great job representing her clients."
Warren Freeman, Family Attorney
"Shelly is an excellent family law attorney. Her years of experience and demeanor make her an asset to any family law case."
Laura Deeter, Family Attorney
"Shelly is an effective advocate for her clients--and does so while maintaining high ethical standards and a high level of professionalism."
F. James, Family Attorney
"I endorse this lawyer. Hard working, very competent, excellent knowledge of the law."
Stephen Minagil, Family Attorney
Shelly Booth Cooley founded The Cooley Law Firm in March, 2009. Prior to establishing The Cooley Law Firm (from 2004, through March, 2009), Shelly worked for a mid-size Nevada law firm where she practiced in the area of civil litigation with an emphasis on Family Law. Since opening her own firm, Shelly practices exclusively in the area of Family Law.
Shelly graduated with high honors from the University of California, Davis in 1995, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Development. She then spent one (1) year working with 6th, 7th, and 8th grade “at-risk” students for the San Joaquin County Probation Department, through AmeriCorps. At the end of the program, Shelly entered the teaching credential program at University of the Pacific, completing their graduate program and obtaining her multiple subject teaching credential in 1997. Shelly spent two (2) years teaching 1st and 2nd grade in California. Shelly moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1998, where she taught 5th grade for the Clark County School District for three (3) years before becoming an attorney.
Shelly attended William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she obtained her Juris Doctorate in 2004. Shelly was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Lawyering Process II, the Juvenile Justice Clinic, and Criminal Procedure II. During her studies, she also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable David T. Wall, Eighth Judicial District Court, Clark County, Nevada.
Shelly was admitted to practice with the State Bar of Nevada in 2004, and is also admitted to the United States District Court, District of Nevada.
In her spare time, Shelly enjoys spending time with her husband, her two (2) sons, and the family dogs.
Why Family Law?
The first question people ask Shelly when they discover she is an attorney is, “What area of law?” Most of the time, in response to her answer, “Family Law,” folks ask, “Why Family Law?” Her answer: “I LOVE being a family lawyer.”
Without a doubt, family law is not the right practice area for everyone. Shelly has a lot of interaction with “real people,” many of whom are undergoing one of the most stressful experiences in life. Every day is different and sometimes unpredictable because no two (2) clients have experienced the exact same issues. Family law touches on “all things” family, including family breakdowns, surrogacy, and trust disputes. In family law, Shelly meets clients at a very difficult time in their lives, which can be extremely challenging. Her ultimate objective is to help clients find peace and certainty with their family law matter.
Shelly’s family law clients are dealing with social needs and judgements. Each client’s situation may involve many elements that an attorney might not deal with in other practice areas: (Dependency (CPS) and Delinquency issues, personal injury, criminal law, tax law, civil issues, etc.). Because of the intimate nature of family law, clients tell her facts they have never told friends and family. Strong personal skills are a must, but it is equally important to maintain professional distance and give tough advice. As Shelly tells her clients, it is not her job to paint a rosy picture. It is her job to tell the truth about legal options, likely outcomes, and realistic solutions.
Personally, Shelly finds the practice of family law extremely rewarding and fulfilling. Which traits are required to be a successful family lawyer? Empathy is vitally important because clients are going through traumatic changes to their lives. A family lawyer needs to be good at listening but also not become too emotionally involved in client issues. It is extremely important that clients trust their attorney. In a nutshell, a family lawyer needs to be sensitive, trustworthy, realistic, and empathetic, but maintain appropriate boundaries – Shelly possess all these traits.
Professional Credentials
- Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys – Dual (Adoption and ART) Fellow
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers – Fellow
- State Bar of Nevada – Certified Family Law Specialist
Professional Associations & Membership
- American Bar Association – Family Law Section
- Clark County Bar Association
- National Center for Lesbian Rights
- National LGBT Bar Association
- Nevada Justice Association
- Resolve – The National Infertility Association
- State Bar of Nevada
- Family Law Section Member
- LGBT Section Member
- State Bar of Nevada – Family Law Section – Executive Council (2010-2019) Chair (2017-2019) Vice Chair (2015-2017)
“Caring and Competent!! - My custody situation was a difficult one, including and out of state parent who refused to comply with returning my child after an arranged visit. After researching MANY lawyers it was clear Shelly was the right choice! She personally answers all her calls and without me even having hired her yet she was already giving me helpful information and was very sympathetic to my situation. I could not be any happier with Shelly's professionalism and kind demeanor. Hopefully I won't need a lawyer again, but if I do I will definitely always stick with Shelly.”
– Melissa (from Avvo)
“I can honestly say that The Cooley Law Firm genuinely cared about the outcome of my case and not just a payday. Retain this firm and you can count on a determined and well prepared legal team that is truly on your side. Highly recommend!”
– Van (from Facebook)
“Great Lawyer - Shelly is a knowledgeable competent lawyer. My main concern was preserving my niece/nephews inheritance. She was able to accomplish that and then some. She was very professional and answered all of my questions. She even set up paperwork for me to be able to complete a yearly filing on my own, although now that I know all that it entails, I would probably recommend her do it.”
– Wendy (from Avvo)
“So understanding - My last lawyer took my money and ran. Shelly was so understanding and helped me feel safe and walked me through all the steps. Answered all my panicked phone calls. She did an amazing job.”
– Jennie (from Avvo)
"Shelly is a great attorney to work with! She is kind and intelligent. I often recommend her for surrogacy clients!"
Kimberly Surratt, Family Attorney
"I endorse Shelly. We've had cases together. Shelly is forthright, intelligent, intuitive, professional, and excellent both in the Courtroom and outside of the Courtroom. She is someone I admire."
Amber Robinson, Family Attorney
"Shelly is a fierce counsel who is unafraid of taking on difficult and often contentious family law cases. Her ability to stay above the fray, and remain focused on task is a hallmark of her professionalism. Her clients benefit tremendously from her expertise."
Mario Fenu, Divorce and separation Attorney
"I endorse this lawyer. Shelly is an exellent and highly experienced family law attorney. She does a great job representing her clients."
Warren Freeman, Family Attorney
"Shelly is an excellent family law attorney. Her years of experience and demeanor make her an asset to any family law case."
Laura Deeter, Family Attorney
"Shelly is an effective advocate for her clients--and does so while maintaining high ethical standards and a high level of professionalism."
F. James, Family Attorney
"I endorse this lawyer. Hard working, very competent, excellent knowledge of the law."
Stephen Minagil, Family Attorney
