Ellen M. Doyle
Ellen—one of the founding partners of FDPK—retired in December 2021, after more than 46 years of practicing law. Throughout her career, Ellen litigated complex class actions against many large financial and corporate defendants in federal and state courts and represented ERISA plan participants, insureds, borrowers, consumers and others adversely affected by corporate abuses and financial overreaching.
Although Ellen’s legal career was marked by fairly significant successes, she is most pleased with her dedication to promoting fairness and equality in the courts and legal community; mentoring young attorneys; and advocating for female rights. Ellen believes women bring a different perspective to the legal profession and government. Females have a different understanding of sexual and domestic abuse and employment discrimination that promotes fairness and equality in the courts.
Ellen is proud of her volunteer work with Women’s Law Project, a statewide organization devoted to protecting and advancing the rights of women and girls. In 2017, she was honored to be the recipient of the Carol Los Mansmann award. In discussing that award, Women’s Law Project Quinntarra Morant, then-Secretary, observed that Ellen:
. . . refuses to just remain on the sidelines; instead she confronts, educates, and advocates for change. She does much of the work without seeking recognition, and her passion just comes through whenever her voice is needed on the various issues that have been facing the legal community.
Although Ellen acknowledges that the situation for female attorneys has improved since she was a young lawyer, work still needs to be done. We share Ellen’s wish that her life’s work carries forward through those that she mentored and supported. We will do our best to do so—and wish her good health in her retirement.