Elissa Barrett has served as Executive Director of Western Justice Center for nearly a decade and came to the role as a respected innovator and advocate. Elissa was honored to be part of the team at Bet Tzedek Legal Services for more than a decade, first as Director of the Sydney Irmas Housing Conditions Project then as Director of Pro Bono Programs and finally as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Her achievements include the passage of significant anti-slum housing legislation, the formation of a multi-agency coalition to combat consumer abuses during the foreclosure crisis and the creation of the Holocaust Survivor Justice Network, which has recovered more than $25 million in reparations for survivors in 31 cities across North America; inspired parallel efforts in Europe, Australia and South America; and received the American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Publico Award.

Elissa is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and Tufts University. Following graduation from law school, Elissa worked with the Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counselling in East Jerusalem on preparations for the International Women’s Conference in Beirut and on efforts to integrate human rights law and theory into the construction of policy priorities for the Palestinian Authorities during the Oslo Accords. Other international work included an externship with the South African Human Rights Commission and litigation to enforce the Bill of Rights on behalf of South Africa’s LBGT citizens. Upon return to the United States, Elissa was an associate at the law firms of Stroock LLP and Loeb & Loeb LLP, where she served as pro bono counsel with Lambda Legal arguing for unfettered access to health services and with the California Women’s Law Center asserting the right of privacy on behalf of battered women’s shelter residents.

She is a NewGround Next Level Leaders Fellow, a member of the Nefesh LA Board of Directors and served on the 2021 Los Angeles City Redistricting Commission. She has led and appeared on panels for the American Bar Association Equal Justice Conference, American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section, Pro Bono Institute, SmartGrowth America, Statewide California Mediation Association, and National Council for Jewish Women. Elissa has appeared in, written and been covered by CNN, NBC/Telemundo, Los Angeles Daily Journal and The Los Angeles Times, among others.
Elissa’s creative work in theater and film (GLAAD/NAACP/LA Drama Critics Circle awards) is a result of creative partnership with her partner – author, playwright and trans activist, Joshua Irving Gershick. The two live in Los Angeles with their pet children, Annika and Artemis.