Emma Ellman-Golan is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer. As Counsel in the Firm's Litigation department, she represents clients in high-stakes, complex disputes. With broad experience spanning all phases of litigation, Emma guides clients from pre-suit investigation and risk assessment through discovery, motion practice, trial and appeals in federal and state court and in confidential arbitrations. 

Her practice includes complex contract and business disputes, false advertising and trade secret disputes, and antitrust matters, particularly in the pharmaceutical, biotech, medical technology, and cosmetics industries. She also represents artists, collectors and museums in disputes concerning works of art. Emma was recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

Emma also maintains an active pro bono practice focusing on voting rights and the rights of juvenile offenders eligible for parole. In 2019 and 2021, Emma received the New York County Lawyers Association’s Pro Bono Award.

Prior to joining WilmerHale, Emma was Counsel at a major New York litigation firm. From 2017 to 2018, Emma clerked for Judge Madeline Cox Arleo of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey. Prior to attending law school, Emma taught middle school science through Teach For America.

Experience

  • Commercial Litigation

    • Representation of multinational pharmaceutical company in advertising litigation relating to significant oncology drug.
    • Representation of multinational medical technology company at trial in the Southern District of New York arising out of breach of contract claims.
    • Representation of multinational pharmaceutical company in arbitration arising out of licensing and royalty disputes relating to blockbuster drug.
    • Representation of multinational pharmaceutical company in arbitrations arising out of manufacturing, licensing and contractual disputes relating to vaccine and drug manufacturing.
    • Representation of multinational pharmaceutical company in dispute with US Customs regarding tariff classification of company’s drug, successfully securing judgments at bench trial in the Court of International Trade and on appeal in the Federal Circuit.
    • Representation of leading cosmetics company against claims of false and misleading advertising.
    • Representation of a multinational pharmaceutical company in antitrust litigation and class actions relating to blockbuster drug.
    • Representation and litigation on behalf of executors of a multi-million-dollar estate to clear title to property owned by estate.
    • Representation of living artists to vindicate rights to works of art.
  • Pro Bono

    • Representation of incarcerated individual to challenge conviction and sentence.
    • Representation of incarcerated individual to challenge repeated denial of release by the New York State Board of Parole.
    • Representation of amici at the US Supreme Court and in appellate courts concerning issues of voting rights, separation of powers and constitutional law.

Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.
  • Received the New York County Lawyers Association's Pro Bono Award in 2019 and 2021.

Credentials

  • Education

    • JD, University of Michigan Law School, 2017

      cum laude

      Irving Stenn Award Dean’s Merit Scholarship

    • BA, Political Science, University of Pennsylvania, 2012

      cum laude

      Dean’s List

  • Admissions

    • New York

  • Clerkships

    • The Hon. Madeline Cox Arleo, US District Court for the District of New Jersey, 2017 - 2018

Credentials

Notice

We appreciate your interest in WilmerHale. While we are pleased to have you contact us, please keep in mind that merely contacting WilmerHale does not create an attorney-client relationship. Such a relationship will not arise until the Firm agrees in writing to represent you in connection with a particular matter. Importantly, unless and until this has occurred, you should not provide us with any confidential information, and we have no duty to keep confidential any information that we may receive from you. Thank you for your understanding.