Ellen Essig

With over 30 years of experience, Ellen has developed a niche practice in collaborative reproduction and fertility law. She represents clients worldwide with their surrogacy and other family-building needs, including those relying on egg, sperm in embryo donation to achieve their goals. Ellen represents hopeful parents including singles, couples and LGBTQ+ clients. Ellen was proud to serve as co-counsel in the marriage equality case of Obergefell v. Hodges et.al which was successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in April 2015. Over the years, Ellen has helped thousands of hopeful parents bring a child into their home, Ellen also provides legal advice to medical clinics involved in third-party reproduction. In addition, she provides legal advice to matching programs which help hopeful parents in their journey towards parenthood. Ellen's practice began as an adoption practice at a time when IVF was still in its infancy. In 1993, Ellen became a Fellow of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. As IVF and other third-party reproduction technologies advanced, the landscape changed. Parents now had additional options. In 2009, Ellen was a founding member of the newly established American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys. In 2016, these two Academies combined and are now known as the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAAA). As a Fellow of this Academy, Ellen works with other experienced attorneys across the country and around the world. Because of her experience and reputation, Ellen is frequently called upon to lecture to hospital personnel and physician groups about this emerging area of the law. Her assistance is often requested in developing office practices. Ellen has been called upon as a witness in cases concerning third-party reproduction and has been interviewed by various news sources when issues about surrogacy or third-party reproduction. Ellen is licensed to practice law in Ohio and Michigan. Since 2001, Ellen has been designated as AV rated by Martindale Hubbell which recognizes the highest ethical standards and legal ability within the legal community. Ellen is proud of this accomplishment and does all that she can to maintain that reputation including returning phone calls promptly, completing projects on time and continuing her education is this developing area of law. Ellen is thoughtful about the interests of all parties involved in this process and always mindful of her clients' goals. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Ellen Essig included in a Super Lawyers® list Other Sources of Feedback About Ellen Essig Included on the 2026Ohio Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2024 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2023 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2022 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2021 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2020 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2019 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2018 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2017 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2016 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2015 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2014 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2013 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2012 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2011 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2010 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2009 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2008 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2007 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2006 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2005 Ohio Super Lawyers list 2004 Ohio Super Lawyers list

• Ohio
• Michigan
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
• Specialties and Certifications
• Family Relations Law Specialist, Ohio State Bar Association, 2000