Shelby Slawson owns her own law firm and has practiced law in the areas of civil trial, transactional, and business practice. She is also an executive for her successful small business alongside her husband Joe Don. Shelby has also worked as a Community Columnist for the Stephenville Empire Tribune, the local paper in her home town. She grew up working jobs in fast food, retail, nursing home care, and waitressing to make her own ends meet. She went on to become a first-generation college graduate, holding a B.A. in Government and Politics from the University of Texas at Dallas and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law. 

Shelby is a native of HD 59. She lives in Stephenville with her husband, where the two are active members of First Baptist Church.