Ellen A. Friedman

Ellen A. Friedman is a respected attorney who focuses her practice on commercial transactions, bankruptcy, and insolvency law. She has built a strong career representing both debtors and creditors in complex legal matters. Her work includes handling bankruptcy cases across the United States, helping clients with financial restructuring, and advising on the wind-down of companies. Ellen has represented creditors on official committees, secured lenders in workouts, and businesses involved in intellectual property agreements during bankruptcy.

Ellen earned her A.B., magna cum laude, from Princeton University in 1982. She received her J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1985, where she was named to the Order of the Coif.

Ellen is a versatile business attorney with deep experience negotiating and drafting complex commercial contracts. Her commercial transactions work spans asset-based financing, venture capital financings, and the purchase and sale of intellectual property and other financial assets. She regularly supports telecommunications companies with joint build agreements and indefeasible right of use (IRU) agreements. Ellen also counsels real estate guarantors in financial restructurings, workouts, and related litigation.

Throughout her career, Ellen has shared her knowledge through writing and speaking. She has authored and co-authored several respected legal publications, including annual updates for Secured Transactions in California Commercial Practice and articles on trade secrets, commercial loans, and bankruptcy. She is a frequent speaker on topics such as distressed businesses, secured transactions, and creditor-debtor rights.

Ellen A. Friedman is a fellow in the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for over a decade. She was named “Lawyer of the Year” in San Francisco for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights in both 2021 and 2024. She has also been listed in Northern California Super Lawyers and Lawdragon’s 500 Leading U.S. Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers.

Ellen is admitted to practice law in California and New York. She continues to be a leader in the legal field, helping clients resolve difficult financial issues through skilled legal guidance.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Friedman & Springwater LLP
• Member, State Bar of California
• Member, State Bar of New York
• Vice Chair, California Lawyer’s Association’s Business Law Section

Licensed State

• California
• New York

Education

• Vanderbilt University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (J.D)
• Princeton University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges