Born Elizabeth Frances Erny[1] in Lafayette, Louisiana to a father who managed an insurance company and a mother who taught school, Foote moved to New Orleans at a young age.

[3][4] Foote began her professional career working as a part-time proofreader for Franklin Press in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during the summer of 1974.

She worked as a law clerk from 1976 – 1977 with the firm of McCollister, Belcher, McCleary, Fazio, Mixon, Holladay and Jones.

Foote said that the FBI interviewed more than sixty-five people during the background check and this included everyone in her neighborhood and many of her clients.

[5] The United States Senate confirmed Foote in a voice vote on June 15, 2010, she received her commission the same day.