Elizabeth M. Locke

Elizabeth M. Locke is a partner and co-founder whose practice focuses on libel law, reputation defense, First Amendment litigation, and high-profile media disputes. She represents Fortune 100 companies and prominent individuals facing reputational attacks from national media outlets and influential publishers. Her work includes litigation, crisis response, pre-publication counseling, retractions, corrections, and reputation-focused strategy for clients dealing with public scrutiny and serious legal risk.

Locke earned a J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center in 2005, where she served as Executive Editor of the Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy and participated in moot court. She received a B.A., cum laude, in Politics and Economics from New York University in 2001. Her education supports careful legal writing, appellate analysis, trial preparation, and strategic advocacy in media and reputation disputes.

Locke clerked for Judge Rhesa H. Barksdale of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit before beginning private practice at Kirkland & Ellis. She later co-founded her current practice in 2014. Her experience includes major defamation victories, federal jury trial work, appellate advocacy, injunction and anti-SLAPP matters, proxy fight-related claims, and disputes involving national media organizations, public figures, companies, and high-profile individuals.

Elizabeth M. Locke is recognized by Chambers for global defamation and reputation management and nationwide First Amendment litigation. Her honors include National Law Journal recognition, including D.C.’s 40 Under 40. She has taught at Georgetown University Law Center and George Washington University Law School and regularly speaks and writes on media, reputation, and First Amendment issues. Locke helps clients protect reputations through careful strategy, strong advocacy, and practical judgment.

Law Office Affiliations

• Co-Founder & Partner, Clare Locke LLP
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
• Member, Virginia State Bar

Licensed State

• District of Columbia
• Virginia

Education

• Georgetown University Law Center
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• New York University
  BA in Politics & Economics with Cum Laude

Awards & Badges