About Ellisen
Ellisen Shelton Turner: Leading Intellectual Property Strategist in Los Angeles
Ellisen Shelton Turner is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, providing expert legal counsel and strategic guidance to clients across a vast range of industries. Based in the Los Angeles office, he’s recognized as an IP strategist, combining a profound understanding of IP law with significant business acumen to support clients’ strategic goals and maximize the value of their technology. With a strong foundation in computer engineering, computer science, and biomedical engineering, Ellisen possesses a sophisticated understanding of the high-tech sector, particularly within media and entertainment technology, software, telecom, semiconductor, biotechnology, and life sciences.
Ellisen specializes in complex commercial and intellectual property disputes, skillfully navigating federal courts, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), and domestic and international arbitrations. He's renowned for his proactive approach to handling patent and trade secret litigations and contested patent office proceedings, including inter partes reviews (IPRs), meticulously managing them from the initial pre-litigation stages through trial and appeal. He’s frequently invited as a speaker on patent law, presenting on patent litigation and patent damages at prestigious conferences like the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA).
At the heart of Ellisen’s practice is a holistic approach. He takes the time to thoroughly understand his clients’ business plans, short-term objectives, and long-term strategic visions. Armed with this crucial insight, he crafts groundbreaking legal strategies that directly meet client needs, paving the way for success and innovation. Ellisen handles a wide spectrum of matters, encompassing intellectual property transactions and license negotiations, extensive IP due diligence in connection with mergers, acquisitions, and asset purchases – even managing cases involving single patents or assets with tens of thousands of components. He expertly advises businesses on technology development and commercialization, representing them in complex bankruptcy matters and transactional arrangements.
Clients consistently value Ellisen’s track record of success and his extraordinary creative problem-solving abilities. His expertise extends beyond legal strategy, fostering strong, collaborative relationships built on trust and mutual understanding. He's deeply involved in the Los Angeles community and actively participates in national legal organizations, including serving as the chair and a board member of the Intellectual Property Section of the National Bar Association, and founding the National Bar Association’s annual Diversity in Tech Awards, which recognize leaders fostering diversity and inclusion in STEM and intellectual property fields.
Practice Areas:
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation - Intellectual Property
- Copyright Law
- Litigation - Patent
- Patent Law
- Trademark Law
Awards & Recognition: Ellisen is recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2019 for his contributions to Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Intellectual Property. He continually earns recognition for his expertise in these fields.
Affiliations:
- Intellectual Property Owners Association Litigation Committee
- Intellectual Property Owners Association Education Subcommittee
- Judicial Elections Evaluations Committee, Los Angeles County Bar Association
Education: Ellisen’s background in computer engineering, coupled with his legal expertise, offers a unique perspective on complex technological challenges. Prior to law school, he gained valuable experience as a software engineer at AlliedSignal Aerospace (now Honeywell International Inc.), Hewlett-Packard, and IBM’s Silicon Valley Laboratory, along with consulting roles in manufacturing execution systems and database design. His early professional experience significantly informs his strategic approach to IP law.
In His Spare Time: Ellisen maintains an active and diverse lifestyle, enjoying pursuits such as boxing, writing, sketching, and bicycling – activities that contribute to his well-rounded perspective and ability to approach legal challenges with creativity and determination.