Ellen Brotman

Ellen C. Brotman: Experienced Criminal & White-Collar Defense Attorney in Philadelphia, PA

Ellen C. Brotman is a distinguished criminal defense attorney with over two decades of experience, specializing in high-profile cases involving political and public corruption, securities fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, and white-collar crimes. She has defended numerous complex trials and appeals, including those handled by the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York.

Practice Areas

• Criminal Defense: General Practice
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Appellate Practice
• Criminal Investigations
• Grand Jury Matters
• State and Federal Criminal Cases

Education & Credentials

B.A., Union University (Albany Law School of)
Bar Admissions: Pennsylvania, New York
Languages: English

Firms

BrotmanLaw is her current law firm where she brings decades of legal expertise to clients in need of dedicated defense and ethical advocacy.

Affiliations

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  Charles P. Gelso President's Award - Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Lawyers (2019)
  

Recognized Since

Ellen C. Brotman has been recognized by Best Attorney USA since 2007, and most recently as Best Law Firm in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers survey (2019-2023). Additionally, she has received the Top 50 Women Super Lawyer distinction for Pennsylvania from SuperLawyers® (2008–2023) and is a recipient of The Legal Intelligencer's Women of the Year award (2014).

Her blog, PA Legal Ethics, has become a resource for legal professionals in Pennsylvania.

Key Achievements and Recognitions

• Inducted into the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' Board of Directors (2019)
• Voted as one of Philadelphia's top white-collar criminal defense lawyers by SuperLawyers® (2008–2025)
• Recipient of The Legal Intelligencer’s Women of the Year Award in 2014
• Besides her practice areas, Ellen also serves on the boards of both national and state bar associations, demonstrating her commitment to public service and advocacy.