Hopkins & Carley is pleased to announce that Steven A. Ellenberg has joined the firm’s Litigation & Trial Practice in San Jose. Ellenberg represents a wide range of clients in commercial, intellectual property and probate disputes in Silicon Valley and throughout California, and in both state and federal courts.
Ellenberg has nearly three decades of trial experience. He has litigated significant cases for high-profile clients including plaintiff’s trial verdicts for Caliper Technologies ($52.6 million) and James McLean ($13 million including punitive damages), each of which the Daily Journal recognized as “Top 10” verdicts in California. In 2014, Ellenberg, as lead trial counsel, obtained a worldwide injunction, damages and attorney fees for his client PQ Labs following a federal court trade secret trial. He also has extensive experience with trust and estate litigation. In 2012, he was lead trial counsel in back-to-back elder abuse trials in which he obtained a favorable decision for the petitioner ordering return of funds misappropriated from the client’s father and then obtained a non-suit in favor of his clients who were accused of elder abuse against damage claims in excess of $30 million. In 2016, Ellenberg obtained a judgment in favor of his clients accused of forging their parents trust, including an award of attorney fees following a three-week trial. Ellenberg is also a skilled negotiator who has successfully resolved multiple cases for clients, including SurveyMonkey and Aurora Networks, prior to trial.
In 2011, the San Jose Metro recognized Steve as the “Best Litigator” in San Jose, highlighting his reputation for ethical conduct. Ellenberg also has an AV preeminent rating from Martindale Hubbell and been named a Northern California “Super Lawyer” every year since 2006.
“Steve is a wonderful addition to our firm. He is one of the San Jose’s best trial attorneys, and also a strategic thinker who has an unyielding commitment to finding the best practical solutions for his clients,” said Jeff Essner, Managing Shareholder of Hopkins & Carley. “We have worked with and against Steve over the years and have developed the highest respect for his skills and effectiveness. We are thrilled to have him join the firm.”
“I’ve had the fortune of working closely with some of Hopkins & Carley’s attorneys and have been highly impressed by their legal acumen, problem-solving, civility and trial skills,” said Ellenberg. “The firm’s leading Trust & Estate practice, which is a particular focus of mine, syncs up perfectly with my experience in this area.”
Ellenberg joins Hopkins & Carley from Ellenberg & Hull in San Jose, prior to which he was a partner with Ruby & Schofield. He grew up in San Jose and remains deeply involved in the local community. He and his wife Susan, a Santa Clara County Supervisor, live in the city’s Rose Garden neighborhood. He is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and Columbia University School of Law.
Hopkins & Carley is also welcoming another talented attorney to the firm: Peter Nissly, a former litigation associate with Ellenberg & Hull. Nissly primarily represents clients in commercial litigation matters, including those with trade secret, probate and contract disputes. He earned both his B.A. and J.D. from Santa Clara University.
