Shelby Leonardi is a litigation attorney whose practice focuses on probate litigation, probate administration, and complex civil litigation throughout South Carolina. She represents personal representatives, trustees, beneficiaries, heirs, surviving spouses, and families in contested estate and trust matters, including will contests, trust disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, elective share proceedings, omitted spouse claims, probate appeals, and disputes involving the administration of estates.

In addition to her probate practice, Shelby represents individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation in both state and federal courts. Her experience includes commercial litigation, civil rights litigation, insurance disputes, and other high-stakes civil matters requiring strategic advocacy and practical problem solving. Given Shelby’s extensive experience in the non-profit sector, she also advises non-profit organizations and their boards on governance issues.

Before entering private practice, Shelby served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph F. Anderson, Jr., United States District Judge for the District of South Carolina, and later to the Honorable Shiva V. Hodges, United States Magistrate Judge. Those clerkships provided her with an insider’s perspective on how judges evaluate motions, evidence, and legal arguments—experience that continues to inform her advocacy on behalf of clients.

Shelby has also taught practical litigation and legal writing at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law for more than a decade, mentoring future attorneys and helping develop the litigation skills they will use throughout their careers. Her experience as an educator reinforces the careful legal analysis and clear communication she brings to every case.

Clients value Shelby’s ability to explain complicated legal issues in straightforward terms and to guide them through difficult disputes with responsiveness, preparation, and practical advice. Whether helping a family resolve a contested estate or representing a client in complex civil litigation, she is committed to developing strategies that advance her clients’ objectives while providing candid, realistic counsel throughout the process.

Shelby serves on the executive committee of the Richland County Bar Association and is a member of the South Carolina Bar House of Delegates and the Elder Law Committee . She also currently serves as the Secretary of the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation Board of Directors. She previously served as school board chair of the East Point Academy Board of Directors and as a board member of the Riverbanks Society, where she advocated on behalf of the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens.

Shelby is a magna cum laude graduate of Notre Dame Law School and a summa cum laude graduate of Marquette University, where she majored in journalism. She is licensed in South Carolina.

Admissions

• South Carolina

• United States District Court, District of South Carolina

• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit