Ellen received a Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University, Chicago. She is a member of
Northwest Suburban Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. She is admitted to practice in all state and county courts in Illinois and is admitted to practice and trial-certified for the Northern District of Illinois Federal Court. She is admitted to the Seventh Circuit appellate bar. Ellen has practiced law since 1987.

Previously, Ellen worked as a computer systems consultant designing systems for manufacturing plants for John Deere, International Harvester, and Continental Can Company. 
She was a National Merit Scholar at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she graduated with Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics.