Ellis helps the accused in federal and state criminal court and is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bars. Ellis obtained his undergraduate degree from the London School of Economics, where he was President of the Debate Society. He obtained his law degree from American University, Washington College of Law, where he graduated cum laude. Ellis was a member of the Administrative Law Review, the Mock Trial Honor Society, and was awarded the Mooers Trophy for Outstanding Student Trial Advocacy and the New Price for Trial Advocacy. While in law school, Ellis dedicated his studies and work experience to criminal law, including internships at the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office and the New York County District Attorney’s Office.
Upon graduation, he served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted serious felonies, including cases of attempted murder, shootings, robbery, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, sexual offenses, and economic crimes. Mr. Palividas left the District Attorney’s Office to enter private practice, where he focuses on state and federal criminal defense. In state court, he has defended against charges of murder, aggravated assault, firearms, robbery, and sex crimes. Mr. Palividas’ talent and experience was recognized by the bench and bar when he was appointed to the First Judicial District’s Capital Case Panel and Homicide Trial Panel. In federal court, he has defended against charges of drug-trafficking, firearms possession and trafficking, white collar crimes, and war-crimes-related immigration fraud cases. When he’s not trying cases, Ellis contributes to developing the practice of criminal law by participating in criminal law-related professional organizations.