Shelley M. Woodard

Ms. Woodard, resident in the firm’s Topeka office, is an experienced attorney with a practice focused primarily on state and local tax matters.

Growing up in Southwest Kansas, Shelley developed a passion for law and received her Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2017, earning a pro bono distinction award. Since then, she has built a strong foundation in public service, providing counsel to the Kansas Department of Revenue, county elected officials, and department heads. Shelley started her legal career at the Kansas Department of Revenue handling sale & use tax issues as well as the occasional personal income tax and liquor excise tax case. In late 2018, Shelley took over as the Property Valuation Division attorney where she provided legal counsel to the Director of Property Valuation and handled the property tax cases of state assessed property as well as appeals of valuation of land devoted to agricultural use. In 2021, Shelley went to work for the county providing legal counsel to county elected officials and department heads on civil county government issues such as land use issues, property valuation issues, and employment law issues.

With a diverse legal background, Shelley has the experience to assist on all your state and local tax matters.

Shelley’s commitment to her community extends beyond her professional endeavors. An avid supporter of women’s sports, she holds season tickets for the KU Women’s Basketball team and cherishes childhood memories of watching KU men’s basketball with her father. Shelley also finds joy in traveling with her husband, which includes recent trips to Ireland and Dubai, and spending quality time with their diverse family of dogs, chickens, snails, and fish.

Education:

University of Kansas School of Law, 2017

Professional background:

• Kansas Women Attorney’s Association – 2017 – present – assistant treasurer (2023-2024), treasurer (2024-2025)
• Judge Hugh Means Inn of Court in Lawrence, KS – 2018 – present
• Kansas Bar Association (I was a member for 2017, then again in 2023 before joining this month, so I suppose really just started) – member of tax section
• Women Attorneys Association of Topeka – 2025
• American Bar Association – 2025 – member of tax section
• Topeka Bar Association
• Rotary Club of Topeka – 2019 – present – Membership chair in 2020