Ellis L. Bennett

Ellis’ 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 was 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.