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Home > Spotlights > Ellen M. Jakovic
Fellows spotlight

Ellen M. Jakovic

2019-2020 Fellows Chair

We are pleased to introduce Ellen M. Jakovic as the 2019-2020 Fellows Chair. Ms. Jakovic is a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, as well as a past Chair of the Washington, DC Fellows and recipient of the 2013 Fellows Outstanding State Chair Award.

What does being a Fellow mean to you?

I am incredibly honored to be part of the distinguished group of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars that comprise the Fellows. It is truly inspiring to learn about the fascinating research in which our ABF faculty are engaged and to have even a small role in the positive impact this scholarship has on the law and our communities.

Where were you born and raised?

Albany, NY.

What type of law do you practice, and how did you become interested in that particular area?

I practice antitrust law; specifically, I advise clients on the antitrust aspects of complex mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures and coordinate U.S. and international merger control filing and clearance efforts. I began working on antitrust matters completely by chance. I answered the dreaded 5 pm Friday afternoon call from the chair of the litigation practice; he needed a young associate to assist two new lateral antitrust partners with a rush project. After an intense weekend of industry and market research (to my surprise and delight, not legal research), I was hooked.

If you had decided not to pursue a career in law, what would you have done?

I probably would have become a high school teacher and coach. I love organized sports (I played varsity soccer and softball in college) and my classmates would always come to me for help with coursework.

What are you most looking forward to during your term as Chair of the Fellows?

I am looking forward to working with my talented Fellow officers, our dedicated Fellows staff, and the rest of the wonderful ABF Board of Directors in supporting the critical research into law and society undertaken by our exceptional ABF research faculty. I also am looking forward to connecting with Fellows around the country and spreading the word about the exciting research in which our faculty is engaged and how it can make a difference in our communities.

There are many membership organizations to join in the legal field. What makes the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation stand out among the rest for you?

It is a privilege to participate in the work of the Fellows and the ABF. As one of the world’s leading research institutes for the empirical and interdisciplinary study of law, the ABF has a critical role to play in advancing the understanding and improvement of the law and legal processes throughout the world. I am proud to support this important work and to join in the fellowship of like-minded individuals who are members of the ABF Fellows.

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time, outside of my volunteer work, I love to travel; read; play and watch just about any kind of sports (Go Nats and Caps — our DC World Series and Stanley Cup Champions!!); and spend time with family and friends, especially our two college-aged children.

Past Spotlights

Julianne P. Blanch

Life Fellow and 2025 ABF Fellows Outstanding State Chair Award Recipient

Paul Smith

ABF Board Member and Patron Fellow; Past DC Fellows Officer

Honorable Lora Livingston

ABF Board Member and Life Fellow; President, American Bar Endowment
Frank X. Neuner

Frank X. Neuner, Jr.

Patron Fellow, National Fellows Chair, and Past Louisiana State Chair
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