About Leah Marie
Leah Marie Shellberg built her path to the law on a foundation in communication. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, completing that degree in 2006. The transition from mass communication to law felt natural to her: both fields demand clear thinking and the ability to explain complex ideas to different audiences.
She attended Elon University School of Law and received her J.D. in 2013. Law school years rounded out classroom study with practical exercises. Courses and clinics exposed her to litigation fundamentals, client counseling and legal research. Those experiences shaped how she approaches problem solving in client matters.
Shellberg is admitted to practice in North Carolina. After law school she moved into practice in the state and joined Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Altamura LLP. At the firm she serves as a member of the legal team handling matters that require attention in North Carolina courts and administrative forums. Her work has included drafting pleadings, preparing submissions for hearings, and advising clients on procedural and substantive issues.
Her background in mass communication still informs her work. She focuses on clear, direct written advocacy and practical explanations for clients who may be unfamiliar with legal processes. She balances courtroom preparation with client counseling. The goal is to present options in straightforward terms and to prepare for the next step, whether that is a negotiation, a hearing, or trial.
Colleagues describe her as methodical in preparing matters for court and practical when weighing options with clients. She brings the same careful attention to documents and deadlines that she applied during law school and in early practice. She also places importance on staying current with developments in North Carolina law and procedure.
Outside of the office, she has maintained connections to the legal community in the state. Those ties help when coordinating with opposing counsel, court personnel, and administrative agencies. They also inform her perspective on how local practice and statewide rules interact.
She practices law in North Carolina as a member of Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Altamura LLP. Her current practice focuses on representing clients in matters arising under North Carolina law.
