About Ella

Standing 5’1′, in high heels, Attorney Ella A. Hughes had only two career goals as a child – to be a ballerina or a lawyer. Driven mostly by TV images of lawyers, Attorney Hughes’ interest in being a lawyer only intensified and by eighth grade, she was determined to practice law. Now, don’t let her pint-size fool you. Her reputation proceeds her, as she is known to a compassionate, yet aggressive, attorney, fighting daily for the rights and interests of her clients. This dual combination has earned her the reputation and nickname of being called the “Bulldog Attorney Fighting for Justice.”

Before attending law school, Attorney Hughes aspired to practice corporate law with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. In preparing for this audacious path, she became fluent in Spanish and worked as Spanish translator for a college newspaper. She also studied Japanese but soon realized corporate law was not her passion. Instead, she fell in love with indigent and criminal defense work after participating in the Prisoners’ Rights and Advocacy Clinic (PRAC) in law school.

Her very first client was a retired US Army veteran, who was addicted to illegal drugs. He’d been arrested multiple times for possession. As his student advocate, she was tasked with ensuring his rights as a prisoner were not violated and to represent him before the parole board. This beautiful man, as she refers to him, was tough as nails. But, she won him over through her persistent and zealous representation. What she took away from this experience was that anyone, may find themselves at the lowest point of their lives and may need help from others and we should never take life for granted. It was this point where she found her love and purpose – to represent the underdog, forgotten and mistreated people of society.

Attorney Hughes is a native Georgian. She received her undergraduate degree from Howard University and her Juris Doctorate from David A. Clarke School of Law.

Since returning home, Attorney Hughes has consistently prepared well-researched cases and provided top-notched representation for her clients and small business owners from all walks and life and backgrounds. She is well respected by her colleagues, opposing counsels, court personnel and judges alike.

Attorney Hughes enjoys traveling, reading, live music, community outreach, the performing arts, rocking climbing and volunteering.

Attorney Hughes is a professional member of the following:   

  • Georgia State Bar
  • Court of Appeals for the State of Georgia
  • Supreme Court of the State of Georgia
  • United States District Court Middle District of Georgia 
  • United States District Court Northern District of Georgia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • American Bar Association
  • Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
  • Dekalb County Bar Association
  • Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
  • Family Law Section – Georgia State Bar
  • Henry County Bar Association
  • National Association of Counsel for Children
  • Parent Attorney Advocacy Committee
  • Workers’ Compensation – Georgia State Bar
  • Child Protection and Advocacy – Georgia State Bar
  • Watchdog for Justice                                                                                   
God gives us all a certain measure of talent. My talent is to fight vigorously those person who are often mistreated either because of the color of their skin, education level, zip code, or gender. It keeps me up at night and keeps me working hard to ensure my clients and community know their rights and their rights are protected. Being a lawyer is a privilege and honor. I don't take it for granted. There are many Black girls that wanted to be lawyers when they were children but were unable to pursue or accomplish their goals. Thank you to the many people that have entrusted me to be your pioneer in justice.

We Are Committed To Helping Our Clients Succeed

More about Ella

A Message to Fathers

  • DON'T GIVE UP!

    Ninety-five percent of our family law cases involve fathers trying to gain visitation and custodial rights of their children. We have a 98% success rate in restoring fathers' rights.
  • THE HUGHES GROUP fathers' right seminars are designed to encourage fathers not to give up, teach dads about their rights, how to navigate their way through court, and to provide resources.

Children In Foster Care

  • DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE!
  • Contrary to popular belief, every child in foster care is not the result of a negligent or abusive parent. Quite the contrary. There are many children in foster care because of poverty, undiagnosed or misdiagnosed medical conditions, lack of resources, and much more.

Police Misconduct

  • KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
  • The Fourth Amendment guarantees that no persons shall be subject to unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated and no warrants shall be issued without probable cause, supported by an oath or affirmation, describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

  • On March 6, 2011, Deon T. Ewumi was arrested and later convicted on charges of felony obstruction, simple battery, and possession of marijuana less than one ounce. He appealed his conviction, arguing that the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress, motion for new trial, and failing to properly instruct the jury on his right to resist an unlawful arrest. The Georgia Court of Appeals agreed with Mr. Ewumi, finding that his arrest was unlawful and violative of his Fourth Amendment rights. Ewumi v. State, A12A0617 (2012)

    In a similar case, the Georgia Court of Appeals cited to the Ewumi case finding that officers' pursuit and subsequent arrest of a minor child violated his Fourth Amendment rights. In the Interest of C.B., A19A2095 (2020).