Dr. Elizabeth Payne

Instructor

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Biography

Elizabeth Payne is a Lecturer in Law at the University of Chicago Law School and serves as the Legal Director at the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE). In her role at CAASE, she has been instrumental in establishing the Victims’ Rights Representation Division, where she leads a legal team dedicated to representing survivors of sexual assault in criminal cases. Elizabeth oversees motion practice, litigation, and case strategy decisions pertaining to both criminal and civil cases, as well as issues related to orders of protection, housing, employment, and workplace accommodations. Previously, she was a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Special Victims Bureau at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, New York, where she prosecuted cases of sexual assault and physical abuse against children. With extensive experience as a trial attorney, Elizabeth has collaborated with law enforcement, judges, defense attorneys, medical professionals, and social workers in the criminal justice system. She also served as a law clerk for the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Springs, and the University of Chicago Law School. Additionally, she is actively involved in her community as a current Board Member of Pillars Community Health.

Research Interests

Experience

Lecturer

— Present

University of Chicago Law School • Chicago, IL

Teaching law with a focus on legal frameworks surrounding sexual assault and victims' rights.

Legal Director

— Present

Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation • Chicago, IL

Directing legal strategies and representation for survivors of sexual exploitation.

Senior Assistant District Attorney

— Present

Kings County District Attorney’s Office • Brooklyn, NY

Prosecuting cases related to sexual assaults and abuse against children.

Law Clerk

— Present

Wisconsin Supreme Court • Wisconsin

Assisting justices with legal research and writing opinions.

Requirements for University of Chicago Law School

Master Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Total
Required:104
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
A first degree in law (JD, LLB, or equivalent) from a law school outside the United States
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Two to four letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Resume/CV
  • LSAC LLM Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report
Specialization Notes

The LLM program is designed for lawyers trained outside the United States to gain an understanding of the American legal system.