OVERVIEW
Marlena Ellis is an associate in the Commercial Litigation group. She focuses her practice on complex civil litigation and insurance coverage. Marlena advises a variety of clients including corporations, commercial entities and insurance companies in complex commercial disputes and breach of fiduciary duty matters. . Additionally, Marlena advises clients in employment discrimination cases involving allegations of discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Marlena has a passion for cultivating new and innovative ways to use the law to benefit her clients.
During her final year of law school, Marlena participated in her school’s Business Start-Up Clinic through the United States Patent and Trademark Office Law School Certification Program. As a member of the clinic, Marlena advised small business owners on entity formation, contract formation and intellectual property matters.
Recognition and Involvement
Recognition & Involvement
Marlena was selected for inclusion in the Lawyers of Color Hot list of 2022. The Lawyers of Color Hot List honors junior and mid-level attorneys of color who exemplify integrity, leadership, and a passion for diversity in their roles.
Outside of work, Marlena enjoys leading and participating in social justice, faith-based and community outreach initiatives.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Marlena was active in the law school community, including her role as the President of the Christian Law Student Society, 3L Representative for the Black Law Student Association and member of the Trial Team.
During her time in law school, Marlena volunteered as a first generation law school mentor and as an income tax preparer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Additionally, Marlena was the recipient of the “Best Supporting Student” award for the weekly motivating speeches delivered to first year students.
Credentials
Bar and Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Education
Roger Williams University School of Law, JD, 2021
West Chester University of Pennsylvania, MS, 2016
West Chester University of Pennsylvania, BS, 2013
News & Insights
Memberships
Barristers Association of Philadelphia
National Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
BLOGS & PODCASTS
Podcasts
The Employment Law Counselor Podcast
- Best Practices for Employers In An Unsettled DEI Climate2.20.25
This episode of The Employment Law Counselor podcast, in collaboration with the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), dives into recent executive orders which end Federal DEI programs and, among other things, encourage private sector employees to end “illegal DEI” programs. Victoria Fuller, Partner and Co-Chair of Labor and Employment Practice Group, and Laura Corvo, Counsel, are joined by Marlena Ellis, Associate, to discuss the implications of those executive orders on employers and offer some best practices employers should implement promptly to manage legal risks while still attracting and retaining high quality employees.