Ellen Carlson

Ellen grew up in Texas and attended Southern Methodist University where she graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Religious Studies and a B.F.A. in Dance Performance.

Ellen went to law school at the University of Denver where she spent her third year as a student attorney with the Child Advocacy Practicum. It was during this time that Ellen developed a passion for working with children and families.
 
After law school, Ellen clerked for the Honorable Ann Gail Meinster, presiding Juvenile Court Judge in Jefferson County, Colorado. She then spent seven years working as a court appointed Guardian ad Litem, representing the best interests of children in Dependency and Neglect and Juvenile Delinquency cases. Ellen then worked with a local non-profit to provide pro bono civil
legal services to young people transitioning out of the foster care system.
 
Ellen uses her expertise in Juvenile Law as an instructor with the Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse where she develops and delivers trainings on the legal system to new Department of Human Services caseworkers.
 
Outside of work, Ellen can be found at the local library or bookstore. She also enjoys exploring Colorado with her husband and two children.