Mr. Palividas’ practice is built upon the idea that liberty is worth defending.

Through his practice, he witnesses the consequences of imprisonment and believes liberty is our most precious right. Even when imprisonment is not at stake, the impact an investigation can have on a person or business’ reputation can be devastating.

The mission is to defend liberty by representing the accused in criminal court to ensure the government meets its burden before a citizen loses their liberty.

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.

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

Federal Bar Association, Criminal Law Section, Secretary

Philadelphia Criminal Law, American Inn of Court, Barrister