years in New York courtrooms
cases tried to verdict
active cases at a time, never more
MY STORY
Why I left
the big firm
For six years I was a senior associate in commercial litigation at a large Manhattan firm. The work was good. What bothered me was who did it: clients hired the partner they met on day one, and their case was run by whoever was free that month.
I watched serious problems get junior attention, and bills grow in ways nobody could explain to the person paying them. In 2019 I left to do it the other way round.
Fewer cases, all of my time on each, and a budget you approve before I start.
Today I take no more than 14 active cases. A paralegal helps with filings; the strategy, the briefs, the depositions and the trial are mine. When you call, you get me.
It isn’t the fastest way to build a practice. It is the best way I know to win the cases that should be won, and to settle the ones that should settle.
Elena Marlowe
Elena Marlowe, founder
The office, 400 Park Avenue South
Meetings in person, or by video if you prefer
HOW I WORK
Three promises I make on every first call, and put in writing in every engagement letter.
01
I answer my own phone
Every client has my mobile number. If I can’t pick up, I call back the same day. Not a paralegal, not an assistant: me.
02
You see the budget first
Fixed prices where the work is predictable, caps where it isn’t, all agreed in writing before I start. No surprises on the invoice.
03
I’ll tell you when not to sue
Some cases cost more than they can recover. I would rather lose a fee than win you a bad outcome.
BACKGROUND
Experience and credentials
Licensed where I practise and in good standing everywhere I’m admitted, with no disciplinary history. Registration numbers on request.
EXPERIENCE
2019–now
Founder, Law Office of Elena Marlowe, PLLC
New York
2013–19
Senior associate, commercial litigation
Large Manhattan firm
2018
First chair on two commercial trials
NY Commercial Division
COURT ADMISSIONS
2014
New York State courts
In good standing
2015
U.S. District Courts, S.D.N.Y. and E.D.N.Y.
In good standing
2016
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
In good standing
2017
Delaware courts and Court of Chancery
In good standing
EDUCATION
2013
J.D., Columbia Law School
Editor, business law review
2010
B.A., Cornell University
Economics
MEMBERSHIPS
2014
New York City Bar Association
Member
2016
Federal Bar Council
Member
2022
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Fellow
LANGUAGES
English, French and Spanish
Native · fluent · conversational
IN A CLIENT’S WORDS
“The fee plan in week one was the number we paid. I have never been able to say that about a lawyer before.”
Priya Raman
General counsel, a logistics group · arbitration
I read every enquiry myself and reply within one business day, usually sooner. If a court deadline is close, call instead of writing.