Ellene Welsh graduated from Emory University in 1985. She then attended Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and received her law degree in 1988. She opened her practice in Douglasville in 1991 and represents clients in Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability matters throughout the West Georgia and Atlanta area.

She is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, the Atlanta Bar Association, and past president of the Douglas County Bar Association.