Ellen M.Murphy
Partner
Securities & Financial Litigation
emurphy@seyfarth.com
“Ellen is an experienced litigator who can handle every aspect of civil and criminal cases.”
More About Ellen
Ellen advises financial institutions, public and private companies, boards, and executives in a variety of regulatory, criminal, internal, and civil investigations and litigation. Additionally, Ellen handles arbitrations and mediations for a variety of clients.
She represents both individuals and corporations in securities class actions and shareholder derivative actions, and pursues and defends complex commercial matters. She handles allegations of securities fraud, accounting fraud, mail and wire fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, and spoofing.
Ellen has represented clients in connection with investigations by the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, State Attorney General Offices, State District Attorney Offices, and other regulatory agencies. Notably, she also conducts internal investigations for her clients and represents individual executives and employees in connection with those investigations.
She represents both individuals and corporations in securities class actions and shareholder derivative actions, and pursues and defends complex commercial matters. She handles allegations of securities fraud, accounting fraud, mail and wire fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, and spoofing.
Ellen has represented clients in connection with investigations by the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, State Attorney General Offices, State District Attorney Offices, and other regulatory agencies. Notably, she also conducts internal investigations for her clients and represents individual executives and employees in connection with those investigations.
- JD, St. John's University School of Law
- BA, State University of New York at Stony Brook
- New York
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- Advising a global investment bank that acted as underwriter for municipal bond offering related to underperforming bond, including investigating due diligence efforts and accuracy of offering materials and public disclosures.
- Represented a publicly held manufacturer and distributor of wood and wood products in connection with DOJ and SEC cross-border investigation related to its public statements regarding the safety and compliance of its Chinese-made laminate flooring.
- Represented a US Treasuries trader in investigation by DOJ and SEC related to allegations of spoofing and manipulative trading.
- Conducted internal investigation for a multibillion-dollar hedge fund related to potential insider trading and represented the firm in related investigation by the SEC.
- Represented an ETF sponsor and registered investment advisor in an internal investigation related to alleged kickbacks and gratuities paid to individuals on the firm’s institutional trading desk. Represented the former Chief Financial Officer of a global alternative asset management firm in a securities class action related to internal controls, accounting, and disclosure issues arising from an FCPA investigation.
- Represented former CFO of business unit of a multinational conglomeration connection with SEC investigation related to revenue recognition and adequacy of disclosures in public filings.
- Conducted internal investigation for private company related to importation of products from Vietnam, potential violations of the Enforce and Protect Act, and other related compliance issues.
- Represented lead and syndicate underwriter in connection with over 300 coordinated securities class actions related to the dotcom IPOs, In re IPO Securities Litigation.
Related News & Insights
-
Speaking Engagement
Jun 23, 2026
Scott Morvillo and Ellen Murphy to Co-Chair PLI’s Internal Investigations 2026 New York Seminar
-
Attorney Publication
Dec 8, 2025
New York Law Journal Features Article by Ellen Murphy, Edward Arnold, and Scott Morvillo on the Expanding Role of the False Claims Act
-
Recognition
9/10/2025
8 Seyfarth Attorneys Selected as 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
-
Speaking Engagement
Jun 24, 2025
Ellen Murphy and Scott Morvillo to Co-Chair PLI’s Internal Investigations 2025 New York Seminar
- Recognized in Lawdragon Leading Litigators in America for White Collar, Investigations, and Securities Litigation (2026)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Securities Litigation: Defense, The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2025)
- Co-Author, “Updated SFO Guidance: Familiar Framework, Sharper Focus—Timing Is Everything,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 30, 2025)
- Co-Author, "The Recent Focus on AI by the DOJ andSEC and What to Expect Under the New Administration," New York Law Journal (December 05, 2024)
- Co-Author, "DOJ Seeks to Incentivize Corporate Compliance Through Voluntary Self-Disclosure Programs, Including Program for Individuals," The New York Law Journal (July 5, 2024)
- Co-Author, “UK Criminal Liability Alert: Safeguarding Companies Operating in the UK From the Actions of Their Employees,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Health Providers Should Beware FCA Risks of COVID-19 Aid,” Law360 (August 6, 2020)
- Co-Author, “Lessons from Michael Cohen v. United States: Criminal Defendants Should Not Be at the Mercy of Technology for Privilege Review,” New York Law Journal (January 18, 2019)
- Co-Author, “New Risks for US Cos. Inadvertently Supporting North Korea,” Law360 (July 24, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Corporate Mismanagement and Scienter in Securities Class Actions,” Daily Journal (April 19, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, “Preparing for Federal Civil Rights Enforcement Actions – What Employers Need to Know,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2025)
- Co-Presenter, “The Future of the Klein Conspiracy Doctrine: Is Its Demise Imminent?,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 10, 2025)
- Co-Presenter, “Enforcement Risks for DEI Programs: What Government Contractors and Private Employers Need to Know,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 12, 2025)
- Moderator, “Internal Investigations: Regulators Roundtable,” PLI Internal Investigations 2023 (June 29, 2023)
- Presenter, “Storming the Gatekeepers: Storming the Gatekeepers: When Compliance Officers and In-House Lawyers Are at Risk 2020,” Practising Law Institute (September 9, 2020)
- Presenter, “Lessons from 'Michael Cohen v. United States,” Celesq (March 13, 2018)
- Presenter, “Storming the Gatekeepers: When Compliance Officers and In-House Lawyers Are at Risk 2018," Practising Law Institute (September 5, 2018)
- Presenter, “Bridge-the-Gap: Professional Practice for Newly Admitted Attorneys 2018,” Practising Law Institute (August 10, 2018)
“Ellen is an experienced litigator who can handle every aspect of civil and criminal cases.”
More About Ellen
Ellen advises financial institutions, public and private companies, boards, and executives in a variety of regulatory, criminal, internal, and civil investigations and litigation. Additionally, Ellen handles arbitrations and mediations for a variety of clients.
She represents both individuals and corporations in securities class actions and shareholder derivative actions, and pursues and defends complex commercial matters. She handles allegations of securities fraud, accounting fraud, mail and wire fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, and spoofing.
Ellen has represented clients in connection with investigations by the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, State Attorney General Offices, State District Attorney Offices, and other regulatory agencies. Notably, she also conducts internal investigations for her clients and represents individual executives and employees in connection with those investigations.
She represents both individuals and corporations in securities class actions and shareholder derivative actions, and pursues and defends complex commercial matters. She handles allegations of securities fraud, accounting fraud, mail and wire fraud, insider trading, market manipulation, and spoofing.
Ellen has represented clients in connection with investigations by the US Department of Justice, the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, State Attorney General Offices, State District Attorney Offices, and other regulatory agencies. Notably, she also conducts internal investigations for her clients and represents individual executives and employees in connection with those investigations.
- JD, St. John's University School of Law
- BA, State University of New York at Stony Brook
- New York
- US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- US District Court, Eastern District of New York
- US District Court, Southern District of New York
- Advising a global investment bank that acted as underwriter for municipal bond offering related to underperforming bond, including investigating due diligence efforts and accuracy of offering materials and public disclosures.
- Represented a publicly held manufacturer and distributor of wood and wood products in connection with DOJ and SEC cross-border investigation related to its public statements regarding the safety and compliance of its Chinese-made laminate flooring.
- Represented a US Treasuries trader in investigation by DOJ and SEC related to allegations of spoofing and manipulative trading.
- Conducted internal investigation for a multibillion-dollar hedge fund related to potential insider trading and represented the firm in related investigation by the SEC.
- Represented an ETF sponsor and registered investment advisor in an internal investigation related to alleged kickbacks and gratuities paid to individuals on the firm’s institutional trading desk. Represented the former Chief Financial Officer of a global alternative asset management firm in a securities class action related to internal controls, accounting, and disclosure issues arising from an FCPA investigation.
- Represented former CFO of business unit of a multinational conglomeration connection with SEC investigation related to revenue recognition and adequacy of disclosures in public filings.
- Conducted internal investigation for private company related to importation of products from Vietnam, potential violations of the Enforce and Protect Act, and other related compliance issues.
- Represented lead and syndicate underwriter in connection with over 300 coordinated securities class actions related to the dotcom IPOs, In re IPO Securities Litigation.
Related News & Insights
-
Speaking Engagement
Jun 23, 2026
Scott Morvillo and Ellen Murphy to Co-Chair PLI’s Internal Investigations 2026 New York Seminar
-
Attorney Publication
Dec 8, 2025
New York Law Journal Features Article by Ellen Murphy, Edward Arnold, and Scott Morvillo on the Expanding Role of the False Claims Act
-
Recognition
9/10/2025
8 Seyfarth Attorneys Selected as 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America
-
Speaking Engagement
Jun 24, 2025
Ellen Murphy and Scott Morvillo to Co-Chair PLI’s Internal Investigations 2025 New York Seminar
- Recognized in Lawdragon Leading Litigators in America for White Collar, Investigations, and Securities Litigation (2026)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Securities Litigation: Defense, The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2025)
- Co-Author, “Updated SFO Guidance: Familiar Framework, Sharper Focus—Timing Is Everything,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 30, 2025)
- Co-Author, "The Recent Focus on AI by the DOJ andSEC and What to Expect Under the New Administration," New York Law Journal (December 05, 2024)
- Co-Author, "DOJ Seeks to Incentivize Corporate Compliance Through Voluntary Self-Disclosure Programs, Including Program for Individuals," The New York Law Journal (July 5, 2024)
- Co-Author, “UK Criminal Liability Alert: Safeguarding Companies Operating in the UK From the Actions of Their Employees,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Health Providers Should Beware FCA Risks of COVID-19 Aid,” Law360 (August 6, 2020)
- Co-Author, “Lessons from Michael Cohen v. United States: Criminal Defendants Should Not Be at the Mercy of Technology for Privilege Review,” New York Law Journal (January 18, 2019)
- Co-Author, “New Risks for US Cos. Inadvertently Supporting North Korea,” Law360 (July 24, 2018)
- Co-Author, “Corporate Mismanagement and Scienter in Securities Class Actions,” Daily Journal (April 19, 2018)
- Co-Presenter, “Preparing for Federal Civil Rights Enforcement Actions – What Employers Need to Know,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (May 28, 2025)
- Co-Presenter, “The Future of the Klein Conspiracy Doctrine: Is Its Demise Imminent?,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 10, 2025)
- Co-Presenter, “Enforcement Risks for DEI Programs: What Government Contractors and Private Employers Need to Know,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 12, 2025)
- Moderator, “Internal Investigations: Regulators Roundtable,” PLI Internal Investigations 2023 (June 29, 2023)
- Presenter, “Storming the Gatekeepers: Storming the Gatekeepers: When Compliance Officers and In-House Lawyers Are at Risk 2020,” Practising Law Institute (September 9, 2020)
- Presenter, “Lessons from 'Michael Cohen v. United States,” Celesq (March 13, 2018)
- Presenter, “Storming the Gatekeepers: When Compliance Officers and In-House Lawyers Are at Risk 2018," Practising Law Institute (September 5, 2018)
- Presenter, “Bridge-the-Gap: Professional Practice for Newly Admitted Attorneys 2018,” Practising Law Institute (August 10, 2018)