Corporate boards and client leaders trust Ellen to advise them in their most sensitive employment matters that generate significant risk for their organizations. Whether leading a high-profile sexual harassment investigation, litigating racial or gender equity issues, responding to activist shareholder demands, or advising on the myriad issues that impact her clients’ most productive talent, Ellen serves as a strategist and collaborative partner to her clients.
Ellen is a trusted advisor to clients across a range of industries, including technology, professional services, higher education, and professional services. Clients count on her judgment - based on her more than 30 years of experience counseling and litigating employment matters - in handling and resolving their most sensitive employment matters. She appreciates the importance of listening, gaining an intimate understanding of her clients’ businesses, and developing holistic and creative solutions that align with their business objectives.
Ellen’s substantive work extends to counseling clients across the full array of employment statutes and common law, including the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, among others. She litigates actions filed under federal and state anti-discrimination, retaliation, trade secret and related employment laws, and has extensive experience investigating Board-level issues, including sexual harassment, race and gender equity issues, code of conduct and conflict of interest issues.
Ellen has been a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the firm and within the broader legal industry as chair of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity.
Ellen is a member of Crowell’s Executive Committee and a member of its Management Board.
Insights
Speeches & Presentations
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"Re-opening Your Business During A Pandemic – A Morass of Legal and Practical Issues To Consider," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(April 21, 2020).
Presenters: Trina Fairley Barlow, Jodi G. Daniel, Ellen Moran Dwyer, Cheryl A. Falvey, John Fuson, Thomas P. Gies, Kate M. Growley, and Nicole Janigian Simonian.
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"What if Your Business Is Essential, But Your Employees Are Afraid to Report to Work?" Crowell & Moring Webinar
(April 3, 2020).
Presenters: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Anne Elise Herold Li, Daniel W. Wolff, and Glenn D. Grant.
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"Time's Up for Medicine: #MeToo Targets the Health Care Industry," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(June 13, 2019).
Presenters: Ellen Dwyer, Rebecca Springer, and Katie Erno.
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"Addressing #MeToo, Pay Equity, and Other Employment Risks – Money and Time Well Spent," Crowell & Moring's Ounce of Prevention Seminar (OOPS) 2019, Washington, DC
(May 7, 2019).
Speakers: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Rebecca L. Springer, and Trina Fairley Barlow.
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"Third Thursday--C&M’s November Labor & Employment Update: #MeToo, One Year Later: What Have We Learned?," Crowell & Moring Webinar
(November 29, 2018).
Presenters: Thomas Gies, Ellen Dwyer, and Rebecca Ricigliano.
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"In the Wake of the #MeToo Movement: Speaking Out and Setting Expectations for a Safe and Supportive Working Environment," 30th Annual General Counsel Conference, New York, NY
(September 26, 2018).
Moderator: Ellen Moran Dwyer.
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"The Business Imperative for Diversity," Bloomberg BNA Diversity & Inclusion Summit, New York, NY
(October 29, 2015).
Presenter: Ellen Moran Dwyer.
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"Vision 2020: Ideas for Shaping the Future," Sixth Annual LCLD Membership Meeting, Chicago, IL
(September 29, 2015).
Presenter: Ellen Moran Dwyer.
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"Top Labor and Employments Issues For Government Contractors in 2012 and Beyond," Crowell & Moring's 2012 Ounce of Prevention Seminar (OOPS), Washington, D.C.
(May 9-10, 2012).
Co-Speakers: Jeff Pagano, Ellen Dwyer, Kris Meade, Rebecca Springer.
Publications
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"Pre-dispute Agreements to Arbitrate Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Claims Will Be Voidable Pursuant to Federal Legislation,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(March 2, 2022).
Contacts: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Thomas P. Gies, Sadina Montani, Rebecca L. Springer, Eric Su, Kimberley Johnson
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"Employers Beware: Biden Executive Order on “Promoting Competition in the American Economy” Could Have Far-Reaching Implications,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(July 13, 2021).
Contacts: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Kris D. Meade, Trina Fairley Barlow, Thomas P. Gies, Eric Su, Rachel Lesser, Jeane A. Thomas, CIPP/E
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"Are Essential Employees Required to Wear Masks/Face Coverings in the Workplace?,"
(April 7, 2020).
Contacts: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Kris D. Meade, Ira M. Saxe, Eric Su, Kimberley Johnson
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"New York State Expands Employer Obligations and Liability for Workplace Harassment,"
(August 15, 2019).
Contacts: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Trina Fairley Barlow, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, Eric Su, Ira M. Saxe, Suzanne E. Rode
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"Title VII Claim Proceeds Despite Failure to Amend EEOC Charge,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(June 10, 2019).
Contacts: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Rebecca L. Springer, Eric Su, Ira M. Saxe
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"Time's Up For Medicine. The #MeToo Movement Focuses on the Health Care Industry.,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(March 18, 2019).
Contacts: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Trina Fairley Barlow, Rebecca Monck Ricigliano, Danielle Giffuni
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"Newly Passed Congressional Sexual Harassment Bill Aims to Set a "Positive Example" for Nation,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(January 4, 2019).
Contacts: Trina Fairley Barlow, Ellen Moran Dwyer, Ira M. Saxe
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"New York State Releases Final Guidance On Legislation Aimed At Preventing Sexual Harassment,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(October 5, 2018).
Contacts: Trina Fairley Barlow, Ellen Moran Dwyer, Thomas P. Gies, Ira M. Saxe, Katie Erno
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"New York State and New York City Pass Legislation Aimed At Preventing Sexual Harassment In The Workplace,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(April 24, 2018).
Contacts: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Ira M. Saxe, Katie Erno
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"California Court Recognizes Narrowly Drawn CFAA Claim Against Traffickers of Access Credentials,"
IP Insights
(January 30, 2013).
Contact: Ellen Moran Dwyer
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"Texas Supreme Court Expands Scope of Enforceable Non-Competes,"
IP Insights
(June 30, 2011).
Contacts: Ellen Moran Dwyer, Mark A. Klapow
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"Supreme Court Affirms Broad Reach of Title VII’s Retaliation Ban,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(June 23, 2006).
Contact: Ellen Moran Dwyer
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"Monitoring Employee Blogs: Unanticipated Costs And Risks,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(May 8, 2006).
Contact: Ellen Moran Dwyer
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"The EEOC's New ADA Guidance: A Mixed Bag For Employers,"
Labor & Employment Law Alert - US
(March 1, 1999).
Contacts: Glenn D. Grant, Ellen Moran Dwyer
Press Coverage
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Crowell & Moring's Sponsorship Initiative 10 Years Later
January 26, 2023 — Law360
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Apple, Google GCs Among LCLD Members Making Public Diversity Pledges
June 20, 2022 — The Global Legal Post
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LCLD To Require Law Firm And GC Members To Make Public, Measurable Diversity Pledges
September 21, 2021 — The American Lawyer
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Crowell & Moring Taps Legal Tech Expert To Spur Innovation
June 29, 2021 — Law360
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4 Firms Receive Accenture's First Diversity Awards
April 8, 2021 — Law360
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The Top Law Firm Leaders And Non-Legal Professionals
December 11, 2020 — Financial Times
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Only 49% Believe Legal Leadership Is Inclusive: Report
October 30, 2020 — World IP Review
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New Program Calls On Managing Partners, General Counsel To Make 'Personal Commitments' To Diversity
October 22, 2020 — American Lawyer
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Leadership Council On Legal Diversity Calls For Personal Pledges
October 22, 2020 — Bloomberg Law
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Law Firm Leaders And GCs Make It Personal In Broad New Diversity Initiative
October 22, 2020 — Reuters Legal
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Law Leaders Pledge Policies To Diversify Top Of Legal Ladder
October 22, 2020 — Law360
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As Workforce Scatters, Onus Falls On Practice Group Leaders To Keep Firm Culture Intact
April 21, 2020 — The American Lawyer
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Leadership Council On Legal Diversity Announces 2020 Fellows And Regional Meeting Pilot
February 20, 2020 — Leadership Council On Legal Diversity
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Women, Influence & Power In Law 2019: Ellen Moran Dwyer
December 2, 2019 — Corporate Counsel
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Crowell's Dwyer To Head Leadership Council On Legal Diversity
November 26, 2019 — American Lawyer
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Legal Diversity Org Names Crowell & Moring Atty As Chair
November 26, 2019 — Law360
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General Counsel Diversity Demand Paying Off
September 4, 2019 — Global Legal Post
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Crowell & Moring Turns 40 and Eyes Growth Far Beyond Washington
June 3, 2019 — Bloomberg Law
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Navigating The Gender Pay Gap
March 2018 — Washington Lawyer
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Leveraging Leadership: A Conversation with Ellen Dwyer and Kate Adams
May 12, 2016 — Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
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Questions About Progress and Failure Dominate Diversity Summit
October 29, 2015 — Bloomberg BNA
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Law Firm Leader Roundtable: Part 2
July 20, 2015 — Legal Bisnow
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Top 10 Numbers from Report on Women in Big Law
June 1, 2015 — The American Lawyer
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A Learned Career: Crowell & Moring Alumni at Universities
March 2015 — Crowell Connect (Alumni Newsletter)
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Partner Path Foggy As More Women Join Staff Atty Ranks
February 18, 2015 — Law360
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At Some D.C. Firms, More Women Than Men Make Partner
January 19, 2015 — National Law Journal
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BigLaw Pairs Up Attys To Move Needle On Diversity
August 19, 2014 — Law360
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Female Powerbrokers Q&A: Crowell's Ellen Dwyer
February 7, 2014 — Labor & Employment Law360
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'Lean In' Maternity Advice Could Spawn Litigation
April 22, 2013 — Employment Law360
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Innovative Managing Partner: Crowell’s Ellen Moran Dwyer
October 3, 2012 — Law360
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View from the Top: Law Firms - Insights from Executives Who Made the List
June 5, 2009 — Washington Business Journal
Firm News & Announcements
October 13, 2022 |
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Recognizes Crowell & Moring as a 2022 Top Performer and Compass Award Winner |
September 28, 2022 |
Ellen Dwyer Concludes Term as Chair of Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Board |
August 10, 2022 |
The American Lawyer Names Crowell & Moring’s Ellen Dwyer a Finalist for Best Law Firm Mentor Award |
June 29, 2022 |
Crowell & Moring Named Among Seramount’s ‘Best Law Firms for Women’ for 11th Consecutive Year and Earns Hall of Fame Designation |
February 28, 2022 |
Crowell & Moring Lawyers Named to Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s 2022 Fellows and Pathfinder Programs |
January 27, 2022 |
Google General Counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado Named to LCLD Board of Directors |
November 4, 2021 |
Ellen Dwyer and Don Smith Participate in Diversity & Flexibility Alliance Annual Conference |
October 29, 2021 |
Crowell & Moring Recognized by Leadership Council for Legal Diversity as a Top Performer and Compass Award Winner |
October 22, 2021 |
Ellen Dwyer Moderates LCLD Panel Exploring New Ways to Increase Legal Diversity |
July 9, 2021 |
Crowell & Moring Named Among Working Mother’s 'Best Law Firms for Women' for Tenth Consecutive Year and Earns Hall of Fame Designation |
January 8, 2021 |
Law Firms Unite to Defend Constitutional Democracy |
January 7, 2021 |
In Defense of Constitutional Democracy |
December 11, 2020 |
Financial Times Names Crowell & Moring "Top Five Most Innovative Law Firm in North America" |
December 4, 2020 |
Crowell & Moring Shortlisted for 2020 Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards in Four Categories |
October 22, 2020 |
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity and Coqual Survey Shows Gaps in Support for Diverse Attorneys |
October 16, 2020 |
Partners Sadina Montani and Ellen Dwyer Participate in Women’s Bar Association of D.C. Leadership Symposium |
July 10, 2020 |
LCLD Fellow Virtual Leadership Lunch Featuring C&M’s Ellen Dwyer and Accenture’s Joel Unruch |
January 27, 2020 |
Three Crowell & Moring Partners Named to ‘Power List’ Recognizing Influential Minority Attorneys and Allies |
November 26, 2019 |
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Names Crowell & Moring’s Ellen Dwyer as Chair |
November 6, 2019 |
WomenInc. Names Crowell & Moring a Top Law Firm for Women |
October 17, 2019 |
Corporate Counsel Recognizes Ellen Dwyer for Innovative Leadership |
February 12, 2019 |
Crowell & Moring Announces 2019 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow and Pathfinders Participants |
December 7, 2018 |
Crowell & Moring's Ellen Dwyer Promotes Innovation at the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Annual Meeting (Video) |
August 8, 2018 |
Working Mother Names Crowell & Moring Among ‘Best Law Firms for Women’ for Seventh Consecutive Year |
October 21, 2016 |
Leadership Counsel on Legal Diversity Honors Crowell & Moring as 2016 Top Performer |
December 8, 2015 |
Crowell & Moring Recognized by the Financial Times as One of 2015’s Most Innovative Law Firms in North America |
October 29, 2015 |
Crowell & Moring's Ellen Dwyer Named One of Washington’s Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian Magazine |
January 13, 2015 |
Crowell & Moring Releases Third Annual Litigation Forecast Report and Inaugural Regulatory Forecast |
October 4, 2012 |
Crowell & Moring Managing Partner, Ellen Moran Dwyer, Named to Law360's "List of America's Most Innovative Managing Partners" |
November 18, 2009 |
Crowell & Moring Honored At Legal Momentum’s 31st Annual Equal Opportunity Awards |