Ellen Moran Dwyer

Partner | She/Her/Hers

Overview

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, 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 has served in several senior leadership positions with Crowell, including as chair of the firm’s Executive Committee and a member of its Management Board.

Career & Education

    • St. Lawrence University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1982
    • Cornell Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1985
    • St. Lawrence University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1982
    • Cornell Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1985
    • District of Columbia
    • Massachusetts (Inactive)
    • District of Columbia
    • Massachusetts (Inactive)

Ellen's Insights

Client Alert | 2 min read | 04.29.25

President Trump Issues Executive Order Deprioritizing Disparate Impact Theory of Discrimination

On April 23, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order, Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy, declaring it the policy of the United States “to eliminate the use of disparate-impact liability in all contexts to the maximum degree possible to avoid violating the constitution, Federal civil rights laws, and basic American ideals.” The order reasons that “disparate impact liability all but requires individuals and businesses to consider race and engage in racial balancing to avoid potentially crippling legal liability.”...

Ellen's Insights

Client Alert | 2 min read | 04.29.25

President Trump Issues Executive Order Deprioritizing Disparate Impact Theory of Discrimination

On April 23, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order, Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy, declaring it the policy of the United States “to eliminate the use of disparate-impact liability in all contexts to the maximum degree possible to avoid violating the constitution, Federal civil rights laws, and basic American ideals.” The order reasons that “disparate impact liability all but requires individuals and businesses to consider race and engage in racial balancing to avoid potentially crippling legal liability.”...