Marissa B. Elder

While at Texas Law, Marissa volunteered as a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and served as a summer associate law clerk at Jones Day. Additionally, in her work with Texas Law's inaugural Pipeline Program, she read student's personal statements, diversity statements, and addenda. She also met with students to assist each pipeline cohort participant in enhancing their application for law school. As a practicing lawyer in the District of Columbia, Marissa focuses on complex commercial litigation, federal regulations, internal investigations, and white-collar crime and compliance. 

Marissa is a firm believer in the power of mentorship and service and lives by the mantra, “it never dims your light to light another.” She is deeply passionate about helping students achieve their full potential. For the past six years, she has dedicated herself to teaching students how to present themselves in the best light throughout the application process. Having navigated the stressful and often overwhelming path to becoming a practicing attorney herself, she finds sharing her experiences and lessons learned very fulfilling. She takes great joy in witnessing each student’s growth, from crafting their application to the moment they are accepted into law school. For Marissa, this work is not just hard work—it’s heart work.

Marissa takes an individualized approach to law school admissions coaching, understanding that each student brings their own unique talents, experiences, and goals. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all strategy, she invests time in getting to know each student and their preferences, developing a customized plan that aligns with their individual schedules and aspirations. Her clear communication and well-defined expectations help eliminate ambiguity and foster a shared understanding of how to achieve each student's objectives. With her energetic, relatable, and enthusiastic demeanor, she brings enthusiasm to every session. She is dedicated to guiding, coaching, and cheering students on throughout their journey.

As a coach, Marissa excels at breaking down the application process into manageable steps, guiding students to craft their applications with purpose and distinction. She skillfully identifies and emphasizes each student’s strengths, developing tailored strategies to best position them for admission to their dream law schools. She also creates personalized schedules, ensuring students stay accountable and meet their submission deadlines with ease.

In her free time, Marissa enjoys traveling internationally, loves a good Texas tailgate, and lives for exploring the DMV for live music, new foods, and eclectic art.