Shalanda is an associate professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law. She teaches corporate law and courses in international law. Her research explores energy and infrastructure project development; indigenous rights; and the environment.

Shalanda served as an Air Force officer prior to her honorable discharge under the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy. Thereafter she became a vocal advocate for repeal of the policy. Following her graduation from law school, Shalanda clerked for Justice Roderick Ireland of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. She also worked as a corporate and project finance associate for Bingham McCutchen LLP, initially in Boston and later in Japan. Shalanda also completed a William H. Hastie Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she received her LLM degree.

She currently lives in the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland. In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading nonfiction, biking, hiking, and traveling.