Elder’s numerous honors and awards include his recognition by SuperLawyers and receipt of the Rising Star Award, as well as designation as a dBusiness Magazine Top Lawyer — a distinction he has been recognized for in multiple years. He was also named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer, as chosen by The National Trial Lawyers, his third straight year earning this honor.

In addition, he was named a Rising Star in Criminal Defense by Super Lawyers Magazinein 2011 and recognized as one of the Top Attorneys by Michigan Outstanding Young Lawyers. Elder has received additional recognition by legal organizations and his peers, including being named one of the Top Young Attorneys in Michigan, by The New York Times. He has also served on the American-Arab Anti Discrimination Committee (ADC).

Elder graduated in 1996 with an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, later earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Fluent in English and Arabic, Elder holds memberships with the State Bar of Michigan, the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.