Experienced Equal Rights Advocacy
Partner Jay D. Ellwanger
Rated by Super Lawyers: Jay Ellwanger | Selected in 2020 | Thomson Reuters
Jay Ellwanger
Rated by Super Lawyers


loading ...

Jay D. Ellwanger

  • Partner

Contact Me:

Biography

Jay opened Ellwanger Law LLLP to fulfill a lifelong goal of honoring his family’s history by establishing a law firm dedicated to the eradication of discrimination and the defense of civil rights. Jay’s practice used to involve the representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad spectrum of intellectual property, employment, and commercial matters, first at one of Texas’s largest law firms and next at a respected litigation boutique. Now, Jay focuses solely on the representation of plaintiffs who have individual and class-wide discrimination and civil rights claims.

Jay earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas. While in law school, Jay was a member of the Texas International Law Journal, chair of the Board of Advocates, selected to the Order of Barristers, named the top advocate of his graduating class, and was the national champion of the “Tournament of Champions” mock trial competition. Since graduating, Jay has served as an Adjunct Professor at UT Law School since 2003 and has been named a Texas Rising Star or Super Lawyer” by Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Monthly magazine every year from 2007 to 2020. He has served as a Barrister of the Robert W. Calvert chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Jay is also committed to service beyond the legal profession—he chaired the Board of Wheat Ridge Ministries from 2016-2018 during its missional transition to the We Raise Foundation, and also served as Chair of the Board of Urban Roots from 2011-2016 and currently serves as co-chair of its capital campaign committee. He is also a proud graduate of Leadership Austin’s 2007-2008 Essential Class. Additionally, Jay was honored as the recipient of the 2009 Austin Under 40 Award in the legal category. The award is given annually by the Young Men’s Business League and the Young Women’s Alliance of Austin to allow the community to recognize their peers under the age of 40 who have achieved extraordinary professional success while simultaneously demonstrating outstanding community service.

Twitter: @JayEllwanger

Education

  • The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
    • J.D. - 2001
    • Honors: Order of Barristers
  • University of Texas, Austin, Texas
    • B.A. - 1998
    • Honors: With Special Honors

Classes & Seminars

  • Intensive Trial Skills, Univ. of Texas. School of Law, 2003 to Present
  • Adjunct Professor at UT Law School, 2003 to Present

Past Positions

  • Jenkens & Gilchrist, Associate, 2001 to 2007
  • DiNovo Price Ellwanger LLP, Partner, 2007 to 2017

Languages

  • English

Professional Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • State Bar of California
  • State Bar of Texas
  • College of the State Bar of Texas
  • Austin Bar Association
  • Board of Advocates, Chair, 2000 to 2001
  • Robert W. Calvert chapter of the American Inns of Court, Barrister

Current Employment Position

  • Partner

Practice Areas

  • Class Wide Discrimination
  • Civil Rights

Bar Admissions

  • Texas, 2002
  • California, 2001

Honors

  • "Texas Rising Star", Area of Commercial Litigation, Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Monthly Magazine, 2007-2020
  • First Place in National Institute for Trial Advocacy Tournament of Champions, 2000
  • Awarded the Niemann Cup, University of Texas School of Law
  • Outstanding Advocate of the Graduating Class
  • University of Texas Peregrinus Counsel Award
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award, 2001
  • Austin Under 40 Award - Legal Category, 2009
  • Leadership Austin Essential Class, 2007-2008
  • Tournament of Champions - National Mock Trial Championship, 2000
  • American College of Trial Lawyers Award, 2001
  • Super Lawyers, 2022