Alan Ellis
| Alan Ellis | |
|---|---|
| Education: | Villanova University School of Law (J.D., 1967) |
| Occupation: | Criminal defense attorney; author |
| Known for: | Past President of NACDL; author of the Federal Sentencing Guidebook |
Alan Ellis is an American criminal defense attorney who specializes in federal sentencing, post-conviction matters, and prison placement, work that overlaps with the federal prison consulting field. A past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), Ellis was described by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit as "a nationally-recognized expert in federal criminal sentencing."[1][2] He has practiced for more than five decades and maintains law offices in California and New York.[3]
Education and Early Career
Ellis graduated from Villanova University School of Law in 1967 and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1968.[3] He served as a law clerk to Chief Judge John W. Lord Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, lectured in business law at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and taught as an assistant professor of law at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco.[3] He founded the Law Offices of Alan Ellis in 1973.[3]
Practice
Ellis's practice focuses on federal sentencing advocacy, post-conviction representation, direct appeals, and guidance on Bureau of Prisons designation and placement.[3] In the published opinion United States v. Walters, the Ninth Circuit referred to Ellis as "a nationally-recognized expert in federal criminal sentencing" and held that denying his application to appear in the case had violated the defendant's Sixth Amendment right to counsel of choice.[1] National coverage of the sentencing field has described him as one of a small number of attorneys who specialize in sentence mitigation.[4][5]
Professional Leadership
Ellis served as president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers from 1990 to 1991, and held earlier roles including chair of its sentencing committee.[3][2] In 1983 he received the association's Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award, its highest honor.[3] He also served as president of the ACLU of Central Pennsylvania.[3]
Recognition and International Work
In 2007, Ellis was a visiting Fulbright professor of law at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Law under a Fulbright Senior Specialist Award from the U.S. State Department, and he lectured at other Chinese law schools.[3] He has been listed in Who's Who in American Law.[3]
Writing
Ellis is the author of several reference works used by federal criminal practitioners, including the Federal Prison Guidebook, the Federal Sentencing Guidebook, and the Federal Post-Conviction Guidebook, published by James Publishing.[3] He has written more than 180 articles and books on sentencing and post-conviction practice, including a recurring column in The Federal Lawyer.[3]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Alan Ellis?
Alan Ellis is a criminal defense attorney who specializes in federal sentencing, post-conviction matters, and prison placement, and a past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Q: Why is Alan Ellis considered an expert in federal sentencing?
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit described him in a published opinion as "a nationally-recognized expert in federal criminal sentencing," and he is a past president of NACDL.
Q: What books has Alan Ellis written?
He is the author of the Federal Prison Guidebook, the Federal Sentencing Guidebook, and the Federal Post-Conviction Guidebook, published by James Publishing, along with more than 180 articles and books.
Q: What awards has Alan Ellis received?
He received NACDL's Robert C. Heeney Memorial Award, its highest honor, in 1983, and a Fulbright Senior Specialist Award in 2007.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "United States v. Walters, 309 F.3d 589 (9th Cir. 2002)". U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (via Justia). Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Alan Ellis". National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 "Curriculum Vitae — Alan Ellis". Law Offices of Alan Ellis. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "The Sentence Term-inators".ABA Journal.2003-03.Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ "The Best Places to Go to Prison".CNBC.2013.Retrieved 2026-05-28.