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Attorney
By
Attorney
Career Profiles of the Profession
Who?
What?
Primary Practice Area & Subspecialty Fields:
Litigation and franchise law; commercial arbitrator.
When?
Years in Practice Area:
Since 1987; commercial arbitrator since 2001.
Years in the Legal Profession:
Since 1987
Where?
Employer:
Law Office of Ellen R. Lokker, PLLC
www.lokkerlaw.com
Size/Sector:
Solo/private
City/State:
Reston, VA
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Law School:
University of Virginia School of Law
Undergraduate School/Degree:
University of Virginia, B.A.
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Why?
Pluses/Challenges of Practice Area:
Litigation is inherently challenging. Helping clients find solutions
to their business disputes is an even bigger challenge. Franchise
law is interesting because practitioners often handle complex
legal issues while working with familiar businesses that we encounter
in our everyday lives.
Core Skills/Key Knowledge Needed in Your Practice Area:
Litigation skills, business sense, interest in civil procedure,
contracts, and business tort issues. To be a commercial arbitrator,
it helps to have the se skills as well as patience and the ability
to be objective.
Advice to Lawyers and Law Students Interested in Your Practice
Area:
Start out in litigation, take on cases that will get you into
court whenever possible. Read about franchising and read about
business generally. Become an active member of the American Bar
Association.
How?
Career Path to Current Position:
I knew I wanted to be a trial lawyer. The franchise part was not
planned. However, when I started practicing law the firm had a
lot of franchise litigation. I worked on a few cases and was hooked.
There were also many opportunities available through the ABA to
write and speak on franchising issues. I became an arbitrator
after I had substantial substantive experience in my field.
Influences and Mentors:
Growing up the daughter of a small business owner; former
partner and mentor John Dienelt; the ABA's opportunities for writing
and speaking.
Suggested Reading About Your Practice Area:
ABA publications on franchising, including The Franchise Law Journal.
Also, keep current on what is going on in the business world.
Job Search Techniques Used in Finding Your Position(s):
In 2001, I started my own firm after nearly 15 years of big firm
practice. My solo practice as it exists today would not have been
possible without the experience I gained and contacts I developed
at my prior firms.
Bar Affiliations and Activities:
I am a member of the bar in Virginia, Maryland and the District
of Columbia and numerous federal courts of appeal and district
courts throughout the country. I am also a member of the American
Bar Association, serving as a vice-chair of the Antitrust Section's
Franchise and Dealership Committee and as an Associate Editor
of the Franchise Forum's Franchise Law Journal. I am an arbitrator
and member of the American Arbitration Association's roster of
commercial neutrals.
Recent Professional Publications:
Frequent author of Franchising Currents, a column on
recent judicial developments in franchising published in The Franchise
Law Journal. Internet Flower Sales Fare Better in Arbitration
than Virtual Drug Store, The Franchise Lawyer, Fall 2001,
at 1.
Recent Professional Presentations:
Damages in Franchise Cases, American Bar Association
Forum on Franchising, October 2002; Settling Franchise Disputes,
ABA Forum on Franchising, 2000.
Memorable Career Moment:
Winning my first trial.
Intriguing Interests:
1) Central American travel, 2) hiking and canoeing, 3) spending
time with my family, and 4) developing technological advantages
in the workplace so that I can do more of 1, 2, and 3.
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