"Great command of the courtroom."
— Hon. Christopher M. Lopez, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas
Shelby Saxon Wilder is a litigator who believes that understanding clients’ business needs and company culture is important for advocacy—but not enough. Exceptional litigators drive persuasion when they can effectively bridge the gap between the language of the client and the language of the court.
Shelby has earned her reputation as such an advocate in complex commercial disputes, white collar investigations, and financial restructuring matters. In these cases, the positioning of the facts is as important as the facts themselves. She works diligently with clients to understand their perspectives and priorities, then finds the precise words to translate those details into a compelling narrative.
Civil Litigation – Shelby represents clients that operate in highly technical industries, including software, energy, oil & gas, cryptocurrency, aviation, and private equity. She carefully considers when and how to translate industry terminology and jargon into a clear, concise story for the appropriate audience.
White Collar Crime & Internal Investigations – In advising clients through white collar disputes and internal investigations, Shelby's linguistic precision is essential for conveying nuance and navigating sensitive regulatory, financial, and reputational concerns.
Financial Restructuring – Shelby draws on her background in financial restructuring to represent clients in complex chapter 11 cases and adversary proceedings. Because the bankruptcy world has its own unique language, she leans on her significant experience in bankruptcy court to guide clients when they, or their counterparties, encounter financial distress.
Prior to joining Baker Botts, Shelby served as a law clerk to the Honorable Amos L. Mazzant, III in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. As a federal law clerk, she amassed invaluable courtroom experience in a wide variety of high-stakes patent, civil, and criminal matters.
Commercial Litigation
White Collar Crime & Investigations
Bankruptcy Litigation & Chapter 11 Restructuring
Environmental Litigation
Pro Bono
