Ellen V. Holloman, a partner at Kaplan Martin, is a celebrated civil and commercial litigator who has been trusted for decades by multi-national financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies, in-house counsel, boards, and individuals in high-stakes civil litigation, arbitration, and trials. Ellen’s unflinching dedication to her clients has earned her fierce loyalty, and she has become a long-term legal advisor to institutions and individuals.
Ellen has extensive experience in securities litigation and in complex commercial disputes. She regularly advises companies, boards, special committees and investors in connection with corporate governance matters, including contests for corporate control and post-acquisition disputes. She has advised creditors and debtors in bankruptcy and financial restructuring litigation matters across a wide range of industries.
Ellen also is highly experienced in employment-related claims, particularly in #MeToo and other C-suite level crisis situations. She advises in-house counsel and boards of directors on minimizing legal risks in executive disputes concerning disciplinary and termination decisions, and she has extensive experience in conducting sensitive internal investigations.
Ellen maintains a busy roster of pro bono matters. She has represented dozens of amici curiae on various issues to appeals courts, including the Supreme Court, has taken on capital cases, and has represented veterans, asylum seekers, and members of the LGBTQ community.
Ellen has received legal and professional service awards from her clients and from major bar associations. She has been repeatedly recognized by Crain’s New York's Notables in multiple categories, including as a Notable Black Leader, Notable Diverse Leader and Notable Woman in Law. She also has been recognized by Lawdragon in multiple categories, including as one of the 500 Leading Lawyers in America. She is an elected Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and sits on the boards of multiple non-profits and legal associations, including New York Lawyers for the Public Interest and the New York City Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She is a lifetime member of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association.
