Ellen grew up in South Carolina as the daughter of an elementary school teacher and electrical contractor. She attended undergraduate at the University of South Carolina, where she served on the board of the College Republicans, and law school at the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama, where she served as student body President and chairperson for the nationally-recognized trial advocacy program.

About Judge Shelley

Ellen lives in Marion with her husband, Wesley R. Shelley, and dog, Conrad. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and engaging with local businesses and members of the community to better the lives of citizens in McDowell and Rutherford Counties.

Ellen M. Shelley grew up in South Carolina. She attended the University of South Carolina as an undergraduate and Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama, for law school. She lives in Marion with her husband, Wesley R. Shelley.

Ellen has experience in private practice.

Ellen is the District Court Judge in Judicial District 41 and was first appointed in 2019.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Judge Shelley was appointed by the North Carolina Governor in May 2019 to serve as District Court Judge in Judicial District 41, serving McDowell and Rutherford counties, succeeding the seat of the Honorable Laura A. Powell. Prior to her appointment as District Court Judge, Ellen worked in private practice as a managing partner of Evans & Shelley, PA with her husband, Wesley R. Shelley, with her practice focused on litigation.

Campaign Website

2.1 Judicial Candidate Resource Guide 

Worked as a managing partner of Evans & Shelley, PA, in a litigation-focused private practice before her judicial appointment.

As a state district court judge, she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- Worked as a managing partner of Evans & Shelley, PA, in a litigation-focused private practice before her judicial appointment.
- As a state district court judge, she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Legal Experience

In her years as a District Court Judge, Judge Shelley has gained a reputation for fairness, kindness, sincerity, knowledge of the law, and attention to detail with the individuals that regularly appear in her Court. Her courtroom commands respect because she treats those who appear before her with the same respect. She is known for working with others and a collaborative approach to judicial efficiency, her control of the courtroom and her ability to methodically dispose of large dockets, and her punctual Orders and administrative organization which reduce the burden on other components of the judicial branch.

About District Court

Uses a collaborative approach to judicial efficiency and docket management, according to her campaign website.

Uses a "collaborative approach" to judicial efficiency and docket management.

- Uses a "collaborative approach" to judicial efficiency and docket management.

Judicial Administration

District Court Judges are required to digest volumes of evidence and testimony in a short amount of time, and apply the law as it is written to the facts of each case to make an informed and equitable decision. They do not create policy, but apply the law as it is written by the legislature and higher courts to the facts of the cases before them.

They do not create policy, but apply the law as it is written by the legislature and higher courts to the facts of the cases before them. To be fair and effective, District Court Judges must constantly study to stay current on developments in the law.

Said District Court judges should apply enacted law and higher-court precedent to case facts rather than create policy.

Said District Court judges must stay current on legal developments to be fair and effective.

- Said District Court judges should apply enacted law and higher-court precedent to case facts rather than create policy.
- Said District Court judges must stay current on legal developments to be fair and effective.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 5, 2026, Ellen M. Shelley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Ellen’s community involvement includes serving as Vice President of the McDowell County Bar Association, and as a Member on the Board of Directors for the McDowell Technical Community College Foundation and the Historic Carson House. She has been involved with the Judicial District 29A Indigent Defense Committee, McDowell County Chamber of Commerce, Marion Business Association, McDowell Economic Development Association, McDowell County Board of Realtors, Marion Lake Club, the Maxwell M. Corpening, Jr. Memorial YMCA, the North Carolina Bar Association and the Republican Party.

Has been involved with the Judicial District 29A Indigent Defense Committee, according to her campaign website.

Has been involved with the McDowell County Chamber of Commerce, according to her campaign website.

Has been involved with the McDowell County Chamber of Commerce.

Has been involved with the Marion Business Association, according to her campaign website.

Has been involved with the Marion Business Association.

Has been involved with the McDowell Economic Development Association, according to her campaign website.

Has been involved with the McDowell Economic Development Association.

Has been involved with the McDowell County Board of Realtors, according to her campaign website.

Has been involved with the McDowell County Board of Realtors.

Has been involved with the Marion Lake Club, according to her campaign website.

Has been involved with the Marion Lake Club.

Has been involved with the Maxwell M. Corpening, Jr. Memorial YMCA, according to her campaign website.

Has been involved with the Maxwell M. Corpening, Jr. Memorial YMCA.

Serves on the board of directors of the McDowell Technical Community College Foundation.

Serves on the board of directors of the Historic Carson House.

- Has been involved with the McDowell County Chamber of Commerce.
- Has been involved with the Marion Business Association.
- Has been involved with the McDowell Economic Development Association.
- Has been involved with the McDowell County Board of Realtors.
- Has been involved with the Marion Lake Club.
- Has been involved with the Maxwell M. Corpening, Jr. Memorial YMCA.
- Serves on the board of directors of the McDowell Technical Community College Foundation.
- Serves on the board of directors of the Historic Carson House.

Community Involvement

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Ellen M. Shelley

- Worked as a managing partner of Evans & Shelley, PA, in a litigation-focused private practice before her judicial appointment.

- Serves on the board of directors of the McDowell Technical Community College Foundation.
- Serves on the board of directors of the Historic Carson House.

Ellen is a district court judge for District 29A. She previously worked as an attorney.

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Ellen is currently a District Court Judge for District 29A. She is one of only two sitting District Court Judges in District 41 to have presided over a District Court jury trial.

As a district court judge, Shelley oversees civil and criminal trials outside the jurisdiction of lower courts, exercises exclusive authority to issue search and arrest warrants, and conducts naturalization ceremonies.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

Judge who handles majority of trial level cases.