Ellen Dew is a commercial litigator whose practice focuses on complex commercial disputes and reputational defense. She has significant experience in matters involving hotel operations, insurance, product liability, securities, and corporate governance disputes. She has litigated in forums across the country on behalf of clients in a wide range of industries, among them hospitality, financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications.
Ellen also has significant experience in corporate investigations and compliance. She regularly counsels clients on data...
Ellen Dew is a commercial litigator whose practice focuses on complex commercial disputes and reputational defense. She has significant experience in matters involving hotel operations, insurance, product liability, securities, and corporate governance disputes. She has litigated in forums across the country on behalf of clients in a wide range of industries, among them hospitality, financial services, insurance, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications.
Ellen also has significant experience in corporate investigations and compliance. She regularly counsels clients on data management issues, including records retention, litigation holds and preservation and use of electronic information.
Ellen is also a member of the Litigation Hiring Committee and represents the Baltimore Office as a delegate of DLA Piper's Leadership Alliance for Women ("LAW").
CourtsUnited States Court of Appeals for MarylandUnited States District Court for the District of MarylandUnited States District Court for the District of ColoradoUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of MichiganUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fourth CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Smith
EXPERIENCE
Serving as national counsel to a major hospitality company defending against claims that the hospitality industry turned a blind eye to human trafficking in hotels
Represented a hospitality client in defense of a nine-figure ERISA class action suit in the US District Court for the District of Maryland
Represented a hotel franchisor in US$75 million lawsuit alleging invasion of privacy and negligent infliction of emotio...
Serving as national counsel to a major hospitality company defending against claims that the hospitality industry turned a blind eye to human trafficking in hotels
Represented a hospitality client in defense of a nine-figure ERISA class action suit in the US District Court for the District of Maryland
Represented a hotel franchisor in US$75 million lawsuit alleging invasion of privacy and negligent infliction of emotional distress
Represented a major media company in complex commercial litigation matters including defamation action pending in federal court in the District of Columbia and commercial disputes relating to purchase of TV network
Represented an insolvent insurer in litigation filed in multiple jurisdictions regarding investment losses related to the Platinum Partners investment scheme
Represented a global financial services company, including affiliated investment advisers, broker dealers and associated persons in SEC investigation relating to use of quantitative models and related disclosures
Represented an audit committee of telecommunications corporation in conducting an independent investigation of possible ethics code and accounting violations
Represented Delaware Insurance Commissioner as statutory receiver, Delaware Deputy Attorneys General and other Delaware Department of Insurance receivership staff members in actions asserting common law and federal statutory claims
Represented Delaware Insurance Commissioner in her role as statutory receiver of insolvent insurer in civil litigation related to receivership
Represented a global financial services and insurance company defending a case alleging purported violations of the False Claims Act
Represented a global pharmaceutical company in defense of cases in multiple jurisdictions involving hormone therapy treatment
Represented a global life insurance company in lawsuits filed by a large commercial bank seeking recoveries arising from investment losses related to bank owned life insurance
Education
J.D., University of Maryland School of Law 2008 Executive Symposium Editor, Journal of Business & Technology Law cum laude
B.A., Letters and Spanish, University of Oklahoma 2005 Phi Beta Kappa, Letters and Spanish summa cum laude
Awards
In 2020, Ellen was awarded the Distinguished Pro Bono Volunteer Award by the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland ("PBRA"). The Maryland Pro Bono Service Awards were designed to honor attorneys, judges, and organizations who have gone above and beyond for their community. The PBRA of Maryland is the pro bono arm of the MSBA and helps increase access to justice to vulnerable Marylanders by connecting attorneys to pro bono service.
In 2018, The Daily Record named Ellen to its Leading Women list. The annual list recognizes women, 40 years of age and younger, for their professional...
In 2020, Ellen was awarded the Distinguished Pro Bono Volunteer Award by the Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland ("PBRA"). The Maryland Pro Bono Service Awards were designed to honor attorneys, judges, and organizations who have gone above and beyond for their community. The PBRA of Maryland is the pro bono arm of the MSBA and helps increase access to justice to vulnerable Marylanders by connecting attorneys to pro bono service.
In 2018, The Daily Record named Ellen to its Leading Women list. The annual list recognizes women, 40 years of age and younger, for their professional accomplishments, community involvement and commitment to inspiring change.
In 2011, The Daily Record named Ellen to its Twenty In Their 20's list, noting that she was "chosen on the basis of her professional accomplishment, civic involvement and impact of achievement. The program celebrates the best and brightest under 30 whose creativity and spirit are already contributing to a new energy in Maryland."
Pro Bono
Ellen also represents clients in various pro bono matters. Of note, she has successfully represented clients in Immigration Courts around the country as well as before the Board of Immigration Appeals who are seeking asylum and related immigration relief. She frequently participates in the Baltimore office's Signature project, Empowering Students and Families, representing families of students receiving special education and related services in Maryland schools. Ellen also regularly represents victims of domestic violence in court hearings on requests for protective and peace orders in the...
Ellen also represents clients in various pro bono matters. Of note, she has successfully represented clients in Immigration Courts around the country as well as before the Board of Immigration Appeals who are seeking asylum and related immigration relief. She frequently participates in the Baltimore office's Signature project, Empowering Students and Families, representing families of students receiving special education and related services in Maryland schools. Ellen also regularly represents victims of domestic violence in court hearings on requests for protective and peace orders in the State of Maryland.