Is Wayne County ADA Brendan Ellis really part-time? Some say yes. The county's own payroll records say no.
Ellis Law Group
This outlet spent two parts investigating Ellis Law Group’s footprint in Wayne County’s courts — a firm whose name keeps surfacing on both sides of the same cases, from plea deals to judicial appointments.
The pattern shows up in Commonwealth v. Kaitlin White, where this outlet documented how a plea deal actually got manufactured, and in the run-up to a new judge taking the bench whose own husband may still be prosecuting cases in her courtroom.
The firm’s reach extends to the DA’s office itself — Wayne County District Attorney Alfred J. Howell has his own ties to Ellis Law Group — and this outlet is still asking defendants who’ve dealt with the firm to come forward. If it happens with Ellis Law Group in Wayne County and it’s of public interest, we’ll cover it — check back here to stay current.
Wayne County ADA Brendan Ellis Privately Represented County Coroner Howell in a Civil Lawsuit.
Wayne County ADA Brendan Ellis represented Coroner Edward Howell in a private civil lawsuit while serving as one of five prosecutors in the DA's office — an office that relies on Howell's forensic findings to bring criminal charges.
Wayne County Gave Brendan Ellis an Award for Never Turning Down a Case. That’s the Problem.
Wayne County commissioners gave ADA Brendan Ellis an award for never turning down a case. He prosecuted in front of his former law partner Judge Meagher for four years.
A Correction, a Crusade, and a Question of Motive
The Pocono Review — Opinion & Analysis This article begins with a factual correction regarding a previous report. The remainder is editorial analysis, not a news report. Factual claims are sourced to screenshots, timestamps, public Facebook posts, and private messages. Analytical claims represent the author’s interpretation of documented events. We Made a Mistake. Here’s What...
Commonwealth v. Kaitlin White: How a Plea Gets Manufactured in Wayne County
The Pocono Review — Opinion & Analysis The following is editorial analysis, not a news report. Factual claims are sourced from court transcripts, the complete 30-page criminal docket, and correspondence between attorneys and the defendant in Commonwealth v. Kaitlin White, No. CP-64-CR-0000330-2024. Analytical claims represent the author’s interpretation of documented events. Part 2 of this...
Procedural Audit: Commonwealth v. Kaitlin White (Wayne County, PA)
ADA Brendan Ellis has been prosecuting cases before former law partner Judge Meagher in Wayne County since he took the bench. The docket names neither. 25 procedural findings. Full audit.
TIPS WANTED: Judge Meagher and Brendan Ellis — We’re looking for defendants.
Were you a criminal defendant in Wayne County PA where ADA Brendan Ellis prosecuted your case and Judge Matthew Meagher presided? They were former law partners at Meagher Ellis Law in Honesdale. Pocono Review is investigating potential conflicts of interest in the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas.
Ellis Law Group: District Attorney Alfred J. Howell
Part 3 of the Ellis Law Group investigation examines how Brendan Ellis's role as ADA under District Attorney Alfred J. Howell affects Judge Jessica Ellis's court.
Ellis Law Group: A Pocono Review Investigative Report — Part 2: The Record
Court calendars, corporate filings, and published records document Brendan and Jessica Ellis handling private cases while serving as Wayne County ADAs. Part 2 of the Pocono Review's investigation presents the dated, sourced evidence behind the overlapping roles at Ellis Law Group, the DA's office, and the Court of Common Pleas.
Ellis Law Group: A Pocono Review Investigative Report
Investigation into overlapping roles at Ellis Law Group, the Wayne County DA's office, and the Court of Common Pleas — examining Brendan Ellis, Jessica Ellis, Judge Edwards, and Judge Meagher.
Tips Wanted: Wayne County, PA
We are independently reviewing civil and criminal case outcomes in Wayne County, Pennsylvania and we want to hear from you. We are looking to speak with anyone who has had a case in the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas or Magisterial District Courts involving Judge Janine Edwards, Judge Matthew Meagher, Attorney Jessica Ellis, Attorney Brendan Ellis, or Ellis Law Group.
Incoming Wayne County Judge’s Comments Raise Ex Parte Questions
Jessica Ellis told a reporter she couldn't reach other judges by phone to "resolve cases." Pennsylvania rules prohibit exactly that. What did she mean?
When Honesdale’s New Judge Takes the Bench, Will Her Husband Still Be Prosecuting Cases There?
Jessica Ellis swept both primaries for Honesdale magisterial district judge. Her husband Brendan Ellis is an assistant DA. How will Wayne County handle the conflict?