Ellery views litigation as a combination of two great games: Chess and Poker. 

In Chess, it is important to strategize and plan each move, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and think ahead.  Similarly, strategy and planning are critical to success in any litigation.

In Poker, every hand is different according to the cards you hold and the cards in play. Similarly, every lawsuit is like a different hand in a Poker game: different clients; different defendants; different defense attorneys; different insurance companies; different insurance adjusters; different experts; different venues; different judges; and the list goes on.  Knowing how to maximize the returns on every “hand” you are dealt is key in the practice of law.  Maximizing returns in every case requires overcoming significant push back from insurance companies and defense attorneys constantly telling you your “hand” is bad and you are going to lose so you should just give up and fold.  Accordingly, a good litigator, just like a good Poker player, must know when to “Hold ‘em” and when to “Fold ‘em.”

Insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely try to minimize and devalue our client’s damages. While settlements can be a great way to resolve cases early and avoid extensive litigation, they are not always ideal.  That is especially true when you have a good “hand” and there is no reason to give up or “Fold ‘em.”  For this reason, under the right circumstances, going “all in” and taking cases to trial may be the best option. 

Ellery loves a good fight whenever it is necessary to get his clients’ full justice.  In fact, fighting against big Defendants and insurance companies is what makes him tick.  When Ellery is confident in a case, he goes “all in” and will stop at nothing until justice is served.