Elizabeth Parr Hecker

Overview

Elizabeth Hecker offers clients more than two decades of experience leading litigation in federal courts, with a focus on cases involving education, civil rights, and constitutional law. She has filed more than 50 briefs in federal and state courts of appeals, presented oral arguments in over a dozen appellate matters, and worked closely with the U.S. Office of the Solicitor General in litigation in the U.S. Supreme Court. Elizabeth’s fourteen-year tenure in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division renders her well-positioned to advise on the requirements of federal civil rights laws. She has extensive experience challenging grant terminations and navigating conflicting federal mandates and state law in the higher education context. Elizabeth is also an elected member of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court, which is dedicated to advancing the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education, and mentoring in appellate practice, and includes as members many of the premier appellate advocates in the country.

In addition to her robust appellate experience, Elizabeth has litigated in dozens of federal district courts nationwide on issues ranging from health care to housing discrimination. She has negotiated multiple settlement agreements and consent decrees on behalf of both private clients and the government. Her experience extends beyond litigation, having advised numerous government agencies on proposed legislation, draft regulations, guidance documents, and policy statements.

In the education space, Elizabeth has significant experience litigating matters under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Constitution. She has also litigated extensively under federal employment discrimination laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Prior to joining Crowell, Elizabeth was acting deputy chief in the Appellate Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. During her tenure at the DOJ, she received the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award and twice received the Assistant Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award, along with multiple Special Commendation Awards, Special Achievement Awards, and Meritorious Awards. She clerked for the Hon. Marjorie O. Rendell in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Elizabeth is also an adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School, where she coaches moot court teams in competitions. 

Career & Education

Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division
Appellate Section
Acting Deputy Chief, February 2025–April 2025
Special Litigation Counsel, June 2021–February 2025
Senior Attorney, January 2016–June 2021

Housing and Civil Enforcement Section
Trial Attorney, June 2008 – March 2013
Department of Justice: Office of Legal Policy
Senior Counsel, August 2014–January 2016
- Department of Justice: Civil Rights Division
  Appellate Section
  Acting Deputy Chief, February 2025–April 2025
  Special Litigation Counsel, June 2021–February 2025
  Senior Attorney, January 2016–June 2021
  
  Housing and Civil Enforcement Section
  Trial Attorney, June 2008 – March 2013
- Department of Justice: Office of Legal Policy
  Senior Counsel, August 2014–January 2016
Adjunct Professor, George Washington University Law School, 2018–Present
Adjunct Professor, George Washington University Law School, 2018–Present
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2004
Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy: senior editor
Emory University, B.A., summa cum laude, political science, 2001
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2004
  Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy: senior editor
- Emory University, B.A., summa cum laude, political science, 2001
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
New York
District of Columbia
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- New York
- District of Columbia
Law Clerk, Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, August 2013–August 2014
- Law Clerk, Honorable Marjorie O. Rendell, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, August 2013–August 2014