Shirley Zhao

LMeet Shirley

Shirley Zhao is a skilled transactional attorney at Melancon Legal PLLC, specializing in real estate and corporate law. Licensed in Texas, Shirley brings extensive experience in contract negotiation, drafting, and review across multiple industries.

Prior to joining Melancon Legal, Shirley served as Real Estate In-house Counsel at Risland US Holdings LLC, where she managed land acquisitions, sales, and provided comprehensive legal support for business operations. Her experience includes contract management, risk analysis, and coordination with external counsel on litigation matters.

Shirley previously worked as Corporate Counsel at Massimo Motor Sports LLC, handling international trade transactions, providing guidance on U.S.-China trade law, and representing the company in governmental investigations. Her legal career also includes positions at Centec Holdings LLC and Capco Inc., where she developed expertise in real estate transactions and regulatory compliance.

A graduate of Texas Tech University School of Law, Shirley also holds an LL.M. from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and a Bachelor of Law from Liaoning Normal University. She is bilingual in English and Mandarin Chinese, bringing valuable cross-cultural communication skills to her practice.

Shirley’s strength in negotiation, risk management, and contract review makes her a valuable asset to our clients seeking guidance in transactional matters.

Outside the Office
Outside the office, Shirley enjoys staying active through regular gym workouts, dancing, and hiking—activities that make Austin the perfect place to call home. She has a passion for traveling the world, exploring new cultures and experiences. In her downtime, Shirley loves getting lost in mystery novels and crime documentaries. Whether on the move or unwinding with a good story, she’s always looking for her next adventu