Shay Persall was born and raised in West Point in Cullman County, Alabama. Shay is an Honors graduate of the Birmingham School of Law. While in law school, Shay was a member of the Judge Hugh Locke Honor Society and Sigma Delta Kappa Law Fraternity. Shay received her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice, summa cum laude, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She also holds a Master of Science degree in the field of Criminal Justice.

Shay volunteers at local organizations in the community. She serves on the board of directors for the Good Samaritan Clinic and on the Stephen K. Griffith Memorial Fund. She served for three years as a board member for Cullman Caring for Kids and was Treasurer for one year. She also performs pro bono work.

Shay is licensed to practice law in the State of Alabama and the United States Northern District Court of Alabama. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar Association, and the Cullman County Bar Association, where she served as Treasurer for several years. She is also a member of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association.

She successfully tries cases for plaintiffs and defendants in North Alabama in both jury and bench trials. She is certified Guardian ad Litem since 2016.