Jay opened Ellwanger Law LLLP to fulfill a lifelong goal of honoring his family’s history by establishing a law firm dedicated to the eradication of discrimination and the defense of civil rights. Jay’s practice used to involve the representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad spectrum of intellectual property, employment, and commercial matters, first at one of Texas’s largest law firms and next at a respected litigation boutique. Now, Jay focuses solely on the representation of plaintiffs who have individual and class-wide discrimination and civil rights claims.
Jay earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas. While in law school, Jay was a member of the Texas International Law Journal, chair of the Board of Advocates, selected to the Order of Barristers, named the top advocate of his graduating class, and was the national champion of the “Tournament of Champions” mock trial competition. Since graduating, Jay has served as an Adjunct Professor at UT Law School since 2003 and has been named a Texas Rising Star or Super Lawyer” by Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Monthly magazine every year from 2007 to 2020. He has served as a Barrister of the Robert W. Calvert chapter of the American Inns of Court.
Jay is also committed to service beyond the legal profession—he chaired the Board of Wheat Ridge Ministries from 2016-2018 during its missional transition to the We Raise Foundation, and also served as Chair of the Board of Urban Roots from 2011-2016 and currently serves as co-chair of its capital campaign committee. He is also a proud graduate of Leadership Austin’s 2007-2008 Essential Class. Additionally, Jay was honored as the recipient of the 2009 Austin Under 40 Award in the legal category. The award is given annually by the Young Men’s Business League and the Young Women’s Alliance of Austin to allow the community to recognize their peers under the age of 40 who have achieved extraordinary professional success while simultaneously demonstrating outstanding community service.
Twitter: @JayEllwanger
Education The University of Texas School of Law ,Austin,Texas J.D. -2001 Honors:Order of Barristers University of Texas ,Austin,Texas B.A. -1998 Honors:With Special Honors
Classes & Seminars Intensive Trial Skills,Univ. of Texas. School of Law,2003 - Present Adjunct Professor at UT Law School,2003 - Present
Past Positions Jenkens & Gilchrist,Associate,2001 - 2007 DiNovo Price Ellwanger LLP,Partner,2007 - 2017
Languages English
Professional Associations American Bar Association State Bar of California State Bar of Texas College of the State Bar of Texas Austin Bar Association Board of Advocates,Chair,2000 to 2001 Robert W. Calvert chapter of the American Inns of Court,Barrister
Current Employment Position Partner
Practice Areas Class Wide Discrimination Civil Rights
Bar Admissions Texas,2002 California,2001
Honors "Texas Rising Star", Area of Commercial Litigation, Texas Super Lawyers and Texas Monthly Magazine, 2007-2020 First Place in National Institute for Trial Advocacy Tournament of Champions, 2000 Awarded the Niemann Cup, University of Texas School of Law Outstanding Advocate of the Graduating Class University of Texas Peregrinus Counsel Award International Academy of Trial Lawyers Award, 2001 Austin Under 40 Award - Legal Category, 2009 Leadership Austin Essential Class, 2007-2008 Tournament of Champions - National Mock Trial Championship, 2000 American College of Trial Lawyers Award, 2001
