Ellen attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated in 1980 with distinction with a major in political science. She attended the University of Wisconsin Law School and graduated in 1984 in the top 15% of her graduating class.

After practicing in Madison for one year with a general practice firm, Ellen relocated and became an Assistant State Public Defender in the LaCrosse office where she gained valuable litigation experience for over six years. In 1991, Ellen joined forces with Dan Arndt and Jack Buswell to open the office of Arndt, Buswell & Thorn with offices in Sparta and Bangor.

Currently, Ellen enjoys Of Counsel status and semi-retirement practice of law. Ellen focuses Guardian Ad Litem. Ellen has represented clients in Western Wisconsin before court commissioners and judges and before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Ellen has taught for the UW Law School Lawyering Skills course on many occasions as well as lectured for the UW Extension, the State Public Defender’s Office and the State Bar of Wisconsin. She is the past president of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, a current member of the State Public Defender Board chair and the chair of the Diocese of LaCrosse Sexual Abuse Review Board. She has served on numerous committees in her community and is currently on the Marie W. Heider Center Fine Arts Board.

Ellen lives in West Salem with her husband Mark.