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Biography

Ellis Bennett’s practice is focused on civil litigation, including complex construction disputes, and employment law, as well as security clearance review and government contractor suspension and debarment. He is an experienced trial lawyer, having tried well over 100 cases, and is co-chair of the firm’s litigation group. Immediately prior to joining Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, Ellis was in private litigation practice in Washington, D.C. He has litigated a variety of complex matters in the state and federal courts of Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia; including commercial disputes, contract disputes, non-compete... disputes, employment disputes, trade secrets cases, construction cases, medical malpractice cases, and professional architectural and engineering malpractice cases.

From 2001 – 2005, Ellis served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Ellis was recognized as Honor Graduate of the 155th Officer Basic Course of United States Army Judge Advocate General’s School located at the University of Virginia. Subsequently, he served as a military prosecutor at Fort Belvoir (Virginia), and also as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division. After concluding his service as a military prosecutor, Ellis served as a military defense attorney at Fort Benning, Georgia. While a member of the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Ellis was lead trial counsel in numerous courts-martial tried before military judges and juries at various military installations, including Fort Belvoir (Virginia), Fort Benning (Georgia), Fort Rucker (Alabama), Redstone Arsenal (Alabama), and Guantanamo Bay (Cuba). Given his military experience, Ellis also specializes in military defense (courts-martial and administrative separations), security clearance defense, government debarment defense, and government contract disputes.

Ellis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from West Virginia University in 1996. He was also initiated into the University’s Phi Beta Kappa chapter. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1999. During law school, Ellis was selected to represent Washington and Lee University as a member of its Jessup International Moot Court Team.

Ellis was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and raised in Pendleton County, West Virginia. He was president of his high school student body and was captain of his high school basketball and baseball teams. In his free time, he enjoys running and playing basketball.

Awards/Honors

  • Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (x2), and Army Achievement Medal (x2), United States Army
  • Honor Graduate, 155th JAG Corps Officer Basic Course, United States Army
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Mensa Member

Education

  • B.A., Psychology West Virginia University
  • Honor Graduate, United States Army Judge Advocate General’s School at the University of Virginia
  • J.D. Law, Washington & Lee University School of Law

Admissions

State
  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
Court
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • District of Columbia State Courts
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
  • Virginia State Courts
  • West Virginia State Courts

Memberships &
Associations

  • American Bar Association|Virginia Bar Association
  • Loudoun County Bar Association
  • Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (2005-06)

Intern Program

As part of our effort to recruit, develop and retail the best and brightest attorneys, Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig offers a summer intern program for promising law school students who are looking to work as part of an innovative and incredibly successful team. With a global team of lawyers, selected candidates are able to work on high level projects in a collaborative space.

Paralegals and Legal Support Staff

At Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, our team of paralegals and staff work together collaboratively along side our attorneys toward a common goal. We have created a positive work environment where our paralegals and legal assistants work to successfully reach firm-wide goals and support each other to combine individual strengths to enhance team performance. They regularly assist our attorneys with organizing and maintaining files, conducting legal research, and preparing documents.