Marissa Elkins:
Parent.
Defender.
Progressive.

Marissa Elkins (she/her/hers) – a public school parent, defense attorney, and dedicated progressive is running for City Councilor At-Large. She is managing partner at the Northampton firm of Elkins, Auer, Rudof & Schiff and works in courts throughout western Massachusetts. Marissa has dedicated her career to equity, beginning her legal career as a public defender and continuing to devote the majority of her practice to representing people accused of crimes who can’t afford an attorney.

Marissa has taken on many service and leadership roles in the legal community. She is president of the Hampshire County Bar Advocate Board of Directors, which oversees the panel of attorneys appointed to represent accused persons who can’t afford an attorney. Marissa also serves on the Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono Legal Services and is a board member of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She is a past president of the Hampshire County Bar Association and served on the board of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for six years.

Locally, Marissa has looked for other service opportunities in the community beyond the courtroom. She was appointed by Mayor Narkewicz to serve on the Planning Board in 2019 and was recently elected by the Board to serve as co-chair. Last year, Marissa co-chaired the Yes!Northampton committee that successfully campaigned to pass the Prop 2 1/2 Override to ensure Northampton can continue fund its priorities while maintaining long-term financial stability.

Marissa and her wife, Tara, moved to New England from Texas in 2002 for law school and Tara’s medical residency training. They found themselves drawn to Northampton’s welcoming community and charming downtown and moved to town in 2004. They’ve been proud and active members of the community  ever since and now are raising a true Massachusetts kid who attends Jackson Street School, plays hockey and loves her good dogs, Sophie and Levi.

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