Ellen Gilley
Associate
Ellen Gilley is a member of the firm’s tax controversy group and international arbitration group, and she advises clients on all stages of tax and arbitral proceedings, with a focus on international issues.
Ellen began her career as an associate in the tax & benefits department in 2013. She rejoined the firm in 2019, after serving three years as Legal Adviser to the Honorable Rosemary Barkett on the Iran-United States Tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands. Her work on the Tribunal developed her expertise in public and private international law, including international arbitration, international economic law, choice of law, assessment of damages, State responsibility, and treaty interpretation.
In addition to her practice at Ropes & Gray, Ellen teaches courses to law students and early-career practitioners on topics of international arbitration, international legal writing and analysis, and communication and leadership. She also has experience advising fellowship programs and Boards of Directors on curriculum design and development, operations, and recruitment.
Ellen earned her J.D. and LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from Duke University School of Law in 2013.
Experience
- Advised a nonprofit entity on arbitration strategy in connection with conservation efforts with sovereign nations.
- Advised a sovereign nation on tax and investment terms of a mineral concession agreement.
- Represented an academic institution in an arbitration regarding an IP licensing dispute.
- Advised on arbitration strategy and clauses for transaction documents.
- Counseled multiple clients in connection with federal and state tax audits.
- Represented a large hedge fund in international tax-related criminal proceedings.
- Represented a large hedge fund in proceedings in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Tax Court.
- Advised various institutional investors in investments in private equity and hedge funds, as well as co-investments.
Publications
- Quoted, “Bank Account Closures An Added Worry for Travelers Stuck in U.S.,” Bloomberg Law (May 5, 2020)
- Nick Berg, Kat Gregor, Dan Ward and Ellen Gilley, “Safeguarding Foreign Investments During A Pandemic,” Law360 (April 30, 2020)
- Quoted, “More Traveler Tax Relief Needed as Virus Restrictions Remain,” Bloomberg Law (April 22, 2020)
- Andrew Howard, Ellen Gilley, Kat Gregor, David Johns, “INSIGHT: Virtual Board Meetings and Remote Work—Managing Unintended Tax Risks,” Bloomberg Law (April 22, 2020)
- Ellen Gilley, Kat Gregor and Stephen Shay, “Multilateralism in a Bilateral World: Challenges for Implementing the PPT,” publication forthcoming
- Kat Gregor and Ellen Gilley, “International arbitration: a new avenue for challenging tax enforcement,” Financier Worldwide Magazine, Special Report: Corporate Tax (November 2019)
Presentations
- Presenter, “Multilateralism in a Bilateral World: Challenges for Implementing the PPT,” ASIL Biennial International Economic Law Conference (February 2020)
Education
- JD, cum laude, Duke University School of Law, 2013
- LLM (International and Comparative Law), cum laude, Duke University, 2013
- BA (History and Political Science), high honours; Allan Oliver Gold Medal in Political Science, McGill University, 2010