Elizabeth Holtzman graduated magna cum laude from Radcliffe College and Harvard Law School, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She began her career in civil rights, working on cases in Alabama and Georgia and for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Holtzman later transitioned to the public sector, where she served as a liaison officer and founded the Brooklyn Women's Political Caucus. She has held various appointments, including serving on the Harvard Board of Overseers and the Homeland Security Advisory Council, resigning from the latter in protest of a policy. Holtzman has also been involved in reviewing military sexual assault cases and searching for Nazi war criminals.

Elizabeth Holtzman's political identity is marked by a distinctive blend of progressive advocacy and principled opposition to abuses of power. Her stance on impeachment reveals a nuanced approach, opposing Clinton's impeachment while supporting Bush's, showcasing a commitment to due process over partisan motives. Holtzman's involvement in war crimes and military justice, from searching for Josef Mengele to reviewing military sexual assault cases, underscores a relentless pursuit of accountability. Her resignation from the Homeland Security Advisory Council in protest of the family separation policy highlights an unwavering dedication to human rights, even when it conflicts with governmental actions.