Carlton Fields Welcomes Makana A. Ellis in Hartford

Hartford, Conn. – Carlton Fields is pleased to announce that Makana A. Ellis has joined the firm’s Hartford office as an associate. She represents clients in mass tort and product liability matters, including pharmaceutical, medical device, toxic tort litigation, and health care litigation. Additionally, Ellis will assist with construction litigation and transactional matters across the Northeast.

Attorneys in Carlton Fields’ Mass Tort and Product Liability Practice defend Fortune 100 manufacturers in high-stakes mass tort and product liability litigation in state and federal courts nationwide. Examples include the emerging talc and opioid mass tort litigation, pharmaceutical and medical device mass torts, as well as asbestos, tobacco, automotive, and a host of other products. The firm’s Construction Practice handles litigation and transactions on behalf of clients including public and private developers and owners; general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers; homebuilders; design professionals; condominium associations; and sureties.

“We are thrilled to welcome Makana to our national team of skilled attorneys representing clients in complex matters,” said Hartford Shareholder Robert R. Simpson, who co-leads Carlton Fields’ Mass Tort and Product Liability Practice. “She is a stellar addition to our growing Hartford office. Makana is not only an exceptional legal talent, she is also an outstanding community leader.” Ellis is the 2021–2022 president of the George W. Crawford Black Bar Association.

Ellis has substantial courtroom experience representing corporations, towns, and individuals in litigation. Ellis previously worked as a public defender at the Bridgeport G.A. 2 Courthouse, and before that, she served as a clerk at the New Haven J.D. Superior Courthouse.

Earlier in her career, Ellis worked at Yale University as the inaugural director of the Dixwell-Yale Community Learning Center, where she developed and implemented educational programs for New Haven residents. She serves on the Christian Community Action Inc. board of directors.

Licensed to practice in Connecticut and New York, Ellis earned her J.D. from the University of New Hampshire School of Law and her B.A. from Yale University. 

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