Ellen Connell’s practice focuses on representing financial services and public company clients in navigating challenging criminal, civil, and regulatory issues. She has represented entities and individuals in investigations, enforcement proceedings, and litigation before the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), state attorneys general and securities regulators, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CTFC), Congressional committees, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), federal agency inspector generals, and other governmental and self-regulatory organizations (SROs). She has defended against allegations of fraud and corruption, including alleged violations of the US securities laws and regulations, environmental laws, and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Ms. Connell’s corporate clients have included regulated financial institutions, accounting/auditing and other professional service firms, and public companies in the following industries: automotive, consumer goods, energy, retail, and technology.

Ms. Connell joined WilmerHale after four years as an associate at another prominent law firm, where she also focused on white collar defense regulatory enforcement and litigation matters. In that role, she conducted a cross-border internal investigation for an international auto manufacturer, represented a Fortune 500 retailer in multi-year DOJ and SEC FCPA investigations, represented a hardware manufacturer in a complex securities litigation, and represented a client pro bono in a narcotics-related criminal case in the Southern District of New York.

Before attending law school, Ms. Connell served in the first Obama Administration as a political appointee in the US Department of State’s Bureau of Public Affairs. Ms. Connell also served as deputy press secretary in the House of Representatives for Congressman Edward J. Markey and as an aide to Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Professional Activities

Ms. Connell represents WilmerHale as a member of the National Women’s Law Center’s Leadership Advisory Committee. Ms. Connell is also a member of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association.