Janelle was born and raised in Fairmount Heights, Maryland by a family committed to public service.  At a young age she understood the importance of public service and knew that one day that she would serve her community as a lawyer.  Janelle worked as a administrative assistant for the Town of Fairmount Heights at the age of 13.  It was there that she first experienced working for a municipality.  Janelle has always had a passion for service and for her community demonstrated by her commitment at the age of 14 to become a volunteer Candy Striper at the Prince George's County Hospital Center.  At the age of 15,  she obtained community support as  she ran for and won the town title as the Queen of Fairmount Heights.  After graduating from Laurel High School, Janelle continued on to Clark Atlanta University where she received her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice.  While in Atlanta, she continued to give back to her community by volunteering at the John Hope University Homes Community Center, trained adults how to read through Literacy for America, assisted in the building of families through Families First and Families and Schools Together.  As a result of her commitment, she received the William J. Clinton President's Award for Outstanding Community Service.

After leaving Atlanta, Janelle's passion for law led her to obtain a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law.  While in law school, Janelle interned with the State of Michigan House of Representatives, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the County Attorney's Office for Prince George's County. In addition, her law school activities included her being elected  Class Representative for the American Bar Association and was later appointed to the position of Lt. Governor for the 6th Judicial Circuit.  After the tormentous 9-11 attacks on America, Janelle sought further understanding of the Islamic culture by spending an elightening summer studying law in Cairo, Egypt.  

During her time in Michigan, Janelle continued to understand the importance of giving back to her community, as she volunteered to deliver food to senior citizens each month through the Greater Lansing Area Meals on Wheels program.

After graduating from law school, Janelle worked briefly as a Legal Assistant before being hired as an Associate County Attorney for Prince George’s County, Maryland in 2006.  Currently, she provides legal advice as a Land Use and Zoning attorney for the Prince George's and Montgomery County Planning Boards of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. 

As the first attorney in her family, she recently started the Janelle J. Jordan Law Foundation to provide financial assistance and law school guidance to pre-law and current law  students from Fairmount Heights and neighboring communities who are committed to the practice of law as a profession.

Janelle has  taken a special interest in education, the elderly and the environment.  She is a member of Reid Temple AME and her hobbies include traveling, spending time with her son Jonathan and with her dog, Solo.