Elena Parent knew she wanted to move to Atlanta before graduating from law school. She wanted to be close to her extended family living in the area and was attracted to all Atlanta had to offer.

Each step of her career has been geared to being a part of the fabric of Atlanta and making it an even better place to live. She has worked as a litigator, advocated for the homeless and volunteered extensively to promote literacy.

She is intimately familiar with the state’s transportation, education and economic issues from her experience as Chief of Staff for moderate State Sen. David Adelman, D-DeKalb — now Ambassador to Singapore.

Elena and familyShe traces her core beliefs – the importance of family, making the community a better place for all and advocating for and providing help to people who are less fortunate – to her upbringing in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol where her parents stressed the importance of faith and public service.

Elena and her husband, Briley Brisendine, live in Ashford Park and became parents in February with the birth of their son, Brooks.

Experience

  • Chief of Staff to State Senator David Adelman (D-DeKalb) — now Ambassador to Singapore.
  • Director of Development for HOPE Atlanta (Travelers Aid of Metropolitan Atlanta), a not-for-profit dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.
  • Litigator at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan in Atlanta.
    • Co-founder and co-chair of women attorneys' affinity group;
    • Ambassador for the firm’s annual United Way campaign.

Community

  • Member, All Saints’ Episcopal Church
  • Volunteer with the Atlanta affiliate of Everybody Wins!, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting children’s literacy.
  • Board of Directors:
    • It's the Journey Inc., which produces the 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer and has raised more than $6 million dollars for Atlanta-area breast cancer organizations.
    • Georgia Association for Women Lawyers (GAWL) Foundation Board, which oversees community service for GAWL.

Education

  • Graduated with Highest Distinction and was admitted into Phi Beta Kappa, and the Golden Key National Honor Society.
  • University of Virginia School of Law. Top 10 percent of her class.