Elsie Owolo is an associate at Groom who advises clients on litigation and policy matters. Prior to joining Groom as an associate, she worked as a summer associate with the firm.
Elsie received her J.D. from Howard University Law School. While at Howard, she was a member of the Huver I. Brown Trial Advocacy Moot Court Team; a Data Volunteer for the Border Rights Project; and a Justice and Vice-Justice of the Langston Hughes Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta, the law fraternity. Additionally, she was a Conference Presenter on Environmental Justice Research for the International Sustainable Development Research Society; a Student Member of the American Association for Justice and published an article in the American Bankruptcy Institute’s Student Publications Section.
She also served as a research assistant in law school, completing research for the Environmental Justice Center (where she was a Legal Fellow) on state laws with environmental justice requirements, as well as providing support on state lead poisoning law and climate legislation. As a teacher assistant, Elsie assisted a Constitutional Law I course, and as a graduate assistant at the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center, she researched potential partners for the National Black Caucus of State Legislator’s Public Policy Institute, and engaged with stakeholders from HBCUs about their research, policy work and work with state legislators. She also served as a judicial extern for Judge Dale Durrer of the 16th Judicial Circuit of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Prior to the inception of her legal career, Elsie was a middle school Social Studies teacher for two years in the Houston Independent School District. This, perhaps, is the source of two of her greatest strengths as an attorney. First, she’s an expert and relentless researcher, with a very deep love of ferreting out the one key case or holding that is right on point, and makes her argument. Second – and this is no surprise if you think about it – she’s an exceptional public speaker and presenter. Again, someone who can capture and hold the attention of middle-schoolers has an obvious gift for compelling, effective communication. In addition to her classroom expertise, she was Indiana Policy Manager for two years for Teach Plus, where she recruited fellows, developed and delivered programs, developed policy proposals, and led the organization in drafting and disseminating policy memos on a wide variety of topics.
In addition to her law degree, Elsie holds a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Texas Woman’s University, and a Master of Public Administration with a Public and Nonprofit Performance Management concentration from Rutgers University. Elsie completed a study abroad program at Harlaxton College in the United Kingdom. She also holds a certification from Yale’s Women’s Campaign School.
In her free time, she is an avid reader and traveler. She also enjoys spending time with her family.