Elliot Engstrom

Elliot Engstrom is a member of the firm’s community associations practice, where he helps communities effectively plan for tomorrow while managing the challenges and opportunities of today.

Prior to joining Sellers Ayers, Elliot spent four and a half years as an attorney for Cleveland County, North Carolina, serving at various times as Deputy County Attorney and outside counsel. In that role, he advised over twenty operational departments and numerous county boards on a wide range of issues including land use, board procedures, legislation, contracts, economic development, and law enforcement. Elliot also spent two years on the faculty of the Elon University School of Law, where he taught legal writing, administrative law, and introduction to legal methods.

Elliot has published legal research in the North Carolina Law Review and the Elon Law Review. He has also presented continuing education courses and other lectures for organizations including the North Carolina Bar Association, the UNC School of Government, the North Carolina Association of County Clerks, and the Legal Writing Institute.

Elliot began his legal career litigating administrative and constitutional cases in courts across North Carolina. For his efforts in freedom of information litigation, the North Carolina Open Government Coalition awarded Elliot its 2017 Sunshine Award for Advocacy. In 2021 he was selected for the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network, and in 2017 he successfully completed the E.A. Morris Fellowship for Emerging Leaders.

Elliot earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Wake Forest University, where he was managing editor of the Old Gold & Black student newspaper. While in college, he majored in French and spent a semester living with a family in Dijon, France.

Elliot lives with his wife and three children in Lake Park, North Carolina, where he serves on his local planning board and board of adjustment. When he is not working, Elliot enjoys exercising, reading by the fire, cheering for his Bulldogs and Demon Deacons, and spending time with his family.

Education

Wake Forest University (2010) – B.A. in French; minors in journalism and history

University of Georgia (2013) – J.D.