Board Certified Family Law Specialist, Certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization
For 31 years Shelley has helped people who find themselves transitioning from being married to being unmarried. Having walked that path herself, she found herself called to help guide people through the nerve-racking, daunting and emotionally charged process of divorce. Her mission is to help people who feel overwhelmed, confused and feeling out of control find their way to confidence with a plan and feeling back in control of their life so they can move forward.
Getting an amicable resolution is generally financially and emotionally better for the parties. Unfortunately, there are times when only the courtroom can end the matter when the other party is acting unreasonably. That’s why she has spent her career in the courtroom, standing alongside those are forced to go to trial because the other party has unreasonable or unfair demands that are not favorable to Shelley’s clients.
Shelley is a divorce and custody trial attorney, with hundreds of contested trials under her belt. She has won custody rights for dads, fought untrue claims of abuse- including unfounded accusations of sexual abuse of children, litigated valuation of businesses, settled and litigated complex property divisions including cases involved aircraft, boats, large collections, antiques, farms and closely held family businesses. She has dealt with alimony concerning elderly or disabled spouses, and division of large retirement accounts. As a business owner herself for the last 25 years who fought to preserve that business during a divorce, Shelley is equipped to handle divorce and property divisions that include family businesses and complex financial assets.
Learn more at our website:
Goff and Goff Attorneys: Helping People - A Family Tradition Since 1931
3
Practice Areas
35 years | 1,000 cases
35 years | 1,000 cases
35 years | 1,000 cases
Always
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Chat withState: Louisiana
Acquired: 2011
No misconduct found
State: Nebraska
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
State: Iowa
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
612 N Vienna Street, PO Box 2050, Ruston, LA, 71273
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Gayla | August 11, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Mrs Shelly Goff exceeded every expectation. I went in for a consultation on a Thursday morning, my court date was the next Tuesday. She told me what needed to be done and did exactly that. I will always be grateful to her for taking care of me. Fair doesn’t even begin to describe Goff and Goff. My ra...
Posted by anonymous | November 12, 2018 | Hired Attorney
We hired Mrs. Goff to get custody of our grandson. He needed protection and she was clear on her approach to help us. She is highly recommended!
Posted by anonymous | November 12, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Shelly and her team are diligent and systematic. As her client I found Shelly to be a great listener. She always took the extra mile to make me feel that I have a fighting chance in my divorce and lenghty custody battle.
Posted by James | October 12, 2017 | Hired Attorney
I engaged Shelley in a rather complex divorce and property settlement matter. I could not have been more pleased with the outcome. Shelley is very professional, highly effective and very much focused on what, when and how legal processes should be addressed. She listened, she understood and she of...
Posted by Gary Williams | October 12, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Shelley is an Angel sent from God! We needed guidance on several church related issues, and she simply told us not to worry that everything would be ok. We went to court and her present in the court room was like nothing you have ever seen. I have never seen a more knowledgeable person than Shelle...
"I endorse this lawyer. Shelley cares deeply for her clients and strives to do her very best for them. She recently became board certified in Louisiana, which is a very high achievement. I heartily recommend her for family law matters."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attoreny Goff is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit tot he legal profession. I highly recommend her legal services and her law firm."
Workers compensation lawyer
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
2013
Inclusion in list of Qualified Child Custody Mediators, LSBA-ADR Section
2013
Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, The National Trial Lawyers
2012
Blackstone's Order 10:1, Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2010
Award for CJA 6th Amendment Service, US District Court Northern District of Iowa
2006
Selected for Staff Training, Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College
2008 - Present
Partner, Goff and Goff Attorneys
1996 - 2007
Owner, Horak Law Office
1994 - 1995
Partner, Baron Sar Goodwin Gill Lohr and Horak
1990 - 1993
Associate, Baron Sar Goodwin Gill and Lohr
2012 - Present
Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2012 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
2012 - Present
Louisiana Association for Justice
2011 - Present
Louisiana State Bar Association
1991 - Present
Nebraska State Bar Association
1990 - Present
Iowa State Bar Association
2007 - 2007
United States District Court for the Northern District of IowaFederal Practice Committee Member
2007 - 2007
Federal District Court for the Northern District of IowaBlue Ribbon Committe on Criminal Practice Member
2006 - 2006
United States District Court for the Northern District of IowaMagistrate Selection Committee
2006 - 2006
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth CircuitCommittee for Reappointment of Iowa District Public Defender
2005 - 2007
Woodbury County Bar AssociationFee Arbitration Committee Member
2003 - 2003
United States District Court for the Northern District of IowaMagistrate Reappointment Committee
2003 - 2003
Dakota County Bar AssociationPresident
2000 - 2002
Iowa Trial Lawyers AssociationBoard of Governors Member
sentence reduced
Relief Granted and new sentencing set
Father awarded custody
Father awarded 50/50 custody
Case Dismissed
Not Guilty
Case Dismissed
Visitation granted
Case Dismissed
Case Dismissed
Verdict for client
Verdict for client
100% disability awarded to client
Verdict for client
2015
Certificate
2013
Family Law Mediation Certification
2005
College Graduate Program
2004
College
1990
JD - Juris Doctor
2016
Professionalism for the Criminal Defense Attorney
2014
§2255 cases
2011
Discovering the Story of Your Trial
1997
The Equal Pay Doctrine
1994
Environmental Law Update
1994
Environmental and Natural Resources/Litigation Roundtable
2013
2005
English
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