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Get In TouchAbout Ellen Presby, Esq.
A Lifetime Commitment to Being a Lawyer
Ellen A. Presby decided she wanted to be a lawyer in the third grade. She wrote out her entire life plan and followed it, building a career that spans decades of trial work, complex litigation, settlement and allocation strategy and implementation, and leadership in high-stakes cases.
But what has remained constant throughout her career is not just action. It is a purpose. Commitment. Drive.
Ellen was drawn to the law by a desire to give a voice to people who were not being heard. That belief continues to guide her work today.
Experience That Brings Perspective
Throughout her career, Ellen has represented clients in complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation at the highest levels. She has represented injured people and manufacturers. She understands how large, complicated cases are built, managed, and resolved.
Today, her practice is more focused and more personal.
She works closely with individuals, business leaders, and fellow attorneys who are navigating difficult legal situations and need clear, experienced guidance to move forward.
Education
Southern Methodist University School of Law
Juris Doctor
University of California, Davis
Bachelor of Arts
Honors & Recognition
Ellen’s work has earned national recognition throughout her legal career.
Her honors include:
- Texas Super Lawyer — selected every year since 2003
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Top 100 Lawyers in Texas
- D Magazine “Best Lawyers in Dallas”
- Top 50 Female Lawyers in Texas — Texas Monthly & Law & Politics Media
- AV Preeminent Rating — Martindale-Hubbell – Judicial Edition
- Bar Register of Preeminent Women Attorneys — Martindale-Hubbell
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Advocate Recognition — National College of Advocacy
She is widely respected for her trial skills, litigation and resolution strategy, and leadership within the plaintiffs’ bar.
Professional Associations
Ellen has held leadership and membership positions in many of the nation’s most respected legal organizations.
Current and past affiliations include:
- President, Public Justice Foundation
- Secretary, National Civil Justice Institute
- American Association of Justice
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
- Texas Board of Trial Advocates
- American Bar Association
- Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- American Inns of Court
- Southwestern Legal Foundation
- American Society of Trial Consultants
- State Bar of Texas
- Co-chair, District 6A Texas State Bar Grievance Committee
Bar & Court Admissions
State Bar Admissions
- Texas
- Arizona
- Pennsylvania
Federal Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Pro Hac Vice Admissions
Ellen has appeared in courts throughout the country, including federal courts in:
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Ohio
- Tennessee
- West Virginia
and numerous additional jurisdictions in complex litigation matters.
Representative Cases & Results
Ellen’s experience spans a wide range of complex matters involving pharmaceuticals, products liability, personal injury, toxic exposure, and commercial disputes.
She represented more than 700 hormone therapy users who developed breast cancer and successfully resolved those claims against pharmaceutical manufacturers.
In the nationally recognized Fen-Phen litigation, Ellen represented thousands of plaintiffs and helped secure an additional $1.25 billion settlement fund for victims nationwide.
- Retained by plaintiff counsel for objective and ethical allocations to 3500 plaintiffs in a wage and hour case.
- Resolution of 700 hormone therapy cases where users developed breast cancer.
- Resolution of more than a hundred medical device/diabetes cases, including a near-doubling of settlement value in the course of handling and negotiations.
- Resolution of 120 kidney disease cases.
- Resolution, after more than 5 years of hard-fought litigation, with three different manufacturers of dozens of surgical stapler cases involving catastrophic gastrointestinal injuries.
- Resolution of hundreds of adult gynecomastia cases against the manufacturer of an antipsychotic drug.
- Successfully tried the only California FenPhen trial.
- Successful negotiation to save a nationwide class action settlement agreement by convincing the defendant manufacturer to add $1.25 Billion to the settlement.
Many trials, leading to payments or successful resolution to clients.
Representative matters include:
- Hines v. Wyeth
- Grace Energy v. Kaneb Pipe Line Operating Partnership
- Martin v. Waco Hilton
- Status Diamonds v. Lloyds of London
- Chacon v. Everett Industries
- Interstate Adjusters v. Luce
- Professional Manifest v. RCA
- Perrin v. Curtis
- Gregory v. Gravity
Leadership & National Litigation Roles
Ellen has served in leadership positions in some of the country’s most significant pharmaceutical and multidistrict litigations.
Her appointments and leadership roles include:
- Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee Member – GLP-1 Multidistrict Litigation
- Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee Member – NEC Multidistrict Litigation
- Seventh Amendment Liaison Committee – Fen-Phen MDL Litigation
- Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee – Risperdal JCCP (California)
- Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee – Granuflo MDL (Massachusetts)
- Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee – Federal HRT Litigation (Arkansas)
- Co-Lead Counsel – Pradaxa Litigation (Connecticut)
Ellen also played a key role in negotiating more than $1.25 billion in additional funding for victims in the nationwide Fen-Phen settlement litigation.
Her work has consistently focused on helping consumers challenge powerful pharmaceutical companies and advocating for accountability and safety within the industry.
Teaching, Publications & Presentations
In addition to her litigation practice, Ellen has spent decades teaching trial skills and mentoring attorneys.
Academic & Teaching Roles
- Adjunct Professor, SMU Dedman School of Law – Product Liability Law
- Trial Advocacy Instructor, SMU School of Law
- Lecturer, National Institute for Trial Advocacy
Publications
- Co-Author, Texas Pretrial Practice (James Publishing)
Professional Presentations
Ellen has presented nationally on topics including:
- Trial Advocacy
- Jury Selection
- Multidistrict Litigation
- Discovery Abuse & Sanctions
- Pharmaceutical Litigation
- Bankruptcy & Mass Tort Funding Issues
- Summary Jury Trials
- Fen-Phen Federal MDLs
She is frequently invited to educate fellow attorneys on complex litigation strategy and trial techniques.
Who We Help
Individuals and Business Leaders
If you have been injured, are involved in litigation, or are facing a difficult legal situation, the path forward can feel overwhelming.
Ellen works closely with clients who want more than just legal representation. They want someone who will:
- Understand their situation fully
- Develop a clear strategy
- Follow through with care and precision
This is a more personal, focused approach to legal guidance.
Attorneys and Law Firms
Ellen also works alongside attorneys and firms who need an experienced, efficient perspective on complex matters.
She is often brought in to help:
- Navigate difficult case dynamics
- Serve as a mediator or special master
- Provide strategic insight on litigation challenges
Her ability to see multiple viewpoints and bring people together makes her a valuable partner in high-stakes situations.
Let's Start A Conversation!
Get In TouchHow We Help You
Strategic Legal Guidance. Thoughtful, Efficient Solutions.
Ellen serves in several roles, each grounded in her ability to bring clarity to complex situations:
Trial Lawyer
Representing clients with focus, preparation, and a clear strategy.
Mediator
Helping parties find common ground and resolve disputes efficiently and respectfully.
Special Master
Managing complex processes such as allocations and settlement administration with fairness and precision.
Personal Counsel
Working one-on-one with individuals and business owners to navigate challenging legal circumstances and decisions.
Cases We Handle
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