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ELLEN AHRENS WICKHAM

Ellen Ahrens Wickham has a history of supporting and advocating for others even before law school. Ellen’s first job out of college was working in U.S. Embassies overseas, where she navigated the federal government’s bureaucracy on behalf of others. Ellen worked to build consensus and relationships, but was ready and willing to  go “to the mattresses” when negotiations were unsuccessful.

 

As a lawyer, Ellen continues to staunchly advocate for her clients, whether they are individuals or businesses, plaintiffs or defendants, or hope to never become a plaintiff or defendant. Ellen’s experience includes complex commercial litigation, contract negotiation, criminal defense, and plaintiff-side class action litigation.

 

Ellen enjoys distilling complex factual scenarios and intricate legal concepts to effectively and persuasively tell her client’s story. Ellen’s clients trust her strong attention to detail and devotion to creative solutions to help them achieve their goals. 

 

Before joining MADEL PA, Ellen clerked for the Honorable Steven E. Rau, United States Magistrate Judge. Ellen gained an insider’s perspective of all aspects of civil litigation, as well as constitutional violations in criminal cases. 

 

Outside the office, Ellen serves as a member of the Minnesota Women Lawyers Board of Directors.

A picture of attorney Ellen Ahrens Wickham.

Phone:  612-605-0630

representative cases

  • Representing corporation on breach of contract claim in state court.

  • Representing LLC in Second Circuit Court of Appeals regarding erroneously dismissed fraud claim.

  • Representing corporation in federal court on state law claims.

  • Represented class of plaintiffs alleging Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan used most-favored-nation clauses in its contracts with hospitals in violation of antitrust laws. In this lawsuit, Ellen worked with opposing counsel, co-counsel across the country, and the Department of Justice to coordinate a 300-deposition discovery schedule where the private plaintiffs’ and DOJ’s lawsuits were on parallel discovery tracks.

  • Represented class of direct purchasers of Wellbutrin SR, who alleged that GlaxoSmithKline intentionally and fraudulently delayed the availability of the generic version of Wellbutrin SR to customers.

  • Represented client who alleged she was fired in violation of federal law through the District of Minnesota’s Pro Se Project.

  • Represented clients in pharmaceutical case in the Eighth Circuit and in petition for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that a New York state court’s statute-of-limitations dismissal should not have preclusive effect on the diversity action in federal court in Minnesota.

  • Represented client in appeal to the Minnesota Court of Appeals following district court’s refusal to allow client to withdraw guilty plea, arguing that the State’s failure to disclose DNA evidence in its possession before entry of the plea constituted a manifest injustice.

PLEASE NOTE:  All cases are different and past results do not predict future case outcomes.

awards

  • Named a “Minnesota Rising Star” by Super Lawyers (2020, 2021, 2022)

  • Named a Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch in Commercial Litigation for 2021 & 2022

boards/community

  • Board Member, Minnesota Women Lawyers (2018-present)

  • Adjunct Professor, Mitchell Hamline School of Law (2015 – 2018) 

  • Secretary, Board of Directors, Innocence Project of Minnesota (2012-2015)

publications

  • Healthcare’s Invisible Giants: Pharmacy Benefit Managers, The Federal Lawyer (2013) (Joseph C. Bourne, coauthor)

  • An Insider’s Perspective of the MWL Leadership Project, With Equal Right (Apr. 2013)

bar admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

  • U.S. District Court, Minnesota

  • State of Minnesota

education

  • William Mitchell College of Law (2010)

    • J.D., magna cum laude

    • Executive Editor, William Mitchell Law Review

  • The University of Texas at Austin (2002)

    • B.A., Economics and Latin American Studies

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