Elise graduated from Northeastern University Law School in May 2003.  While in law school she volunteered with the Center for the Study of Sport in Society’s Disability Research Initiative, was the Program Leader of the Disability Caucus, and was a member of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Straight Alliance.  Elise received her undergraduate degree from Brown University where she was a varsity soccer and lacrosse player, and she went on to help coach the women’s soccer team at Brown after her graduation. 

Elise spent her Fellowship year with the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs (WLCCRUA), which specializes in disability and employment discrimination with a special emphasis on discrimination against low-income women. She pursued equal treatment for women with disabilities through her work on the Committee's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Project and Disability Rights Project. Elise handled several cases concerning both women’s rights and the rights of people with disabilities, including sexual harassment cases, a pregnancy discrimination case, and an architectural barrier case.  She was deeply involved in the litigation process, conducting extensive interviews with clients and drafting complaints.

After completing her Fellowship, Elise joined Debra Katz (1985-86) at the law firm Katz, Marshall, Banks LLP.