Age: 38
Occupation: Attorney, Shay Law
Email: sshay@shayandassociates.com
Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Juris Doctor, Northern Illinois University
Family: Husband, Nick; children, Roman, 9, and Rhett, 6; dogs, Georgie and Minnie
Affiliations/community activities: Board of directors, Decatur Bar Association; director, DBA Continuing Legal Education Program; Sangamon County Bar Association; Central Illinois Women’s Bar Association
What is your guiding principle in life:
“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain (what I consider the most enviable of all titles) the character of an honest man.” — George Washington
What led you to your career: I have always had a strong interest in the law. After graduating from law school, I knew exactly where I wanted to practice — my family’s law firm. Shay Law was founded by my father, Tim Shay, more than 30 years ago, and it has been a cornerstone of our community ever since. Today, I have the privilege of working alongside both my father and my husband, Nick Williams. It is truly an honor to be part of one of Springfield’s longstanding family-owned businesses.
What would you like your life to look like in five or 10 years? It is my professional goal for Nick and I to carry forward the legacy of Shay Law as my father transitions into retirement. I am committed to preserving and building upon the firm’s name, reputation and the goodwill we have worked so hard to establish within this community.
What obstacles have you overcome in your career path? I am a plaintiff’s trial attorney focusing on medical malpractice, personal injury and workers’ compensation — an area still largely male-dominated. As a result, I prioritize surrounding myself with strong female peers who support and uplift one another.
What do you wish your younger self had known when you started on this path?
Focus on what you can control. Life will always bring the unexpected, and so much of what happens is beyond our control. But within every challenge is a choice — how you respond. When you focus on your attitude, your effort and your resilience, you take back your power and shape your own path forward.
What’s the best purchase (under $100) you’ve made in the last six months?
We adopted our dog, Minnie, after she was found as a stray and brought to Sangamon County Animal Control. She has been a truly wonderful addition to our family. We have always had rescue dogs— and always will.
This article appears in July SBJ 2026.