About
Ellis Palividas, Esq. defends the accused in federal and state court so that they can win back their freedom and reputation.
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The mission is to defend individual liberty by representing the accused in criminal court to ensure the government meets its constitutional burden before depriving a citizen of liberty.
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A former prosecutor, Mr. Palividas integrates prosecution experience into his advocacy to secure favorable results for his clients.
Prosecution Experience
Mr. Palividas began his career at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted serious felonies, including attempted murder, shootings, robbery, burglary, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and sexual offenses, and economic crimes.
Mr. Palividas’ prosecution experience is the foundation of his practice as he understands how prosecutors operate. As an Assistant District Attorney, Mr. Palividas:
litigated hundreds of motions and trials;
worked with police, detectives, and joint task forces on cases; and
developed a professional network in the justice system which enables him to deliver favorable results for clients.
After serving as a prosecutor, Mr. Palividas was a litigator at a law firm before founding Ellis Legal, LLC.
Defense Experience
Mr. Palividas has represented the accused in high-stakes criminal cases in federal and state court.
In federal court, he has defended against charges of drug-trafficking, firearms possession and trafficking, white-collar crimes such as wire fraud, burglary, and war-crimes-related immigration fraud cases.
In state court, he has defended against charges of murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, firearms, robbery, burglary, economic crimes, and sex crimes.
Real Estate and Business Experience
Mr. Palividas developed significant real estate experience. As a former title agent, he conducted hundreds of real estate closings and handled legal matters that arose in preparation for closing. Mr. Palividas has represented investors in drafting partnership documents, joint venture agreements, construction contracts and drafting and negotiating commercial leases. Mr. Palividas has represented clients on real estate-related fraud cases and has helped clients remove lis pendens’ on real estate titles arising from state and federal prosecutions.
Mr. Palividas’ real estate and business experience informs his white collar practice, where he has represented in state and federal cases involving government, business, and real estate fraud.
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Mr. Palividas focused his education on developing his advocacy skills. As a student, he competed in debate and mock trial tournaments; studied advanced criminal law; and obtained practical experience at prosecutors’ offices.
American University, Washington College of Law, Juris Doctor
Activities
Mock Trial Honor Society, Tournament Director
Administrative Law Review, Senior Staff Member ;
Honors
Mooers Trophy, Commencement Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy
Estrella Trial Advocacy Competition 2013, Winning Team
Newman Prize for Trial Advocacy, 2L award for excellence in Trial Advocacy
Practical Experience
Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Trial Division
Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office:
Major Crime/Homicide Division;
Gang Unit
Criminal Justice Clinic, Prosecution Division, Domestic Violence Section
London School of Economics and Political Science (“LSE”), B. SC.
LSE Debate Society, President
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Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Section, Secretary
Philadelphia Criminal Law, American Inn of Court, Barrister
Ellis Palividas commits his training, education, and experience to guide the accused and their families through the legal system.
We offer a free consultation to discuss your legal matter.