Ella A. Shenhav is a partner in the Tampa office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where she is a member of the Business Litigation Practice Group. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), accredited by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Civil Mediator.
Ella focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration. She has represented large and small businesses, financial institutions, employers, entrepreneurs and other individuals in successfully resolving, among other matters:
- business torts;
- privacy and data protection;
- contract disputes;
- employment and non-compete disputes;
- creditors’ rights;
- securities litigation;
- real estate-related litigation;
- shareholder disputes; and
- claims of unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Ella is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), accredited by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). She advises clients on state, federal, and international data security and privacy issues, including compliance, risk management, and incident response, including responding to government agencies and private sector inquiries and complaints. In addition, she conducts risk assessments and prepares key documentation, such as incident response plans, privacy policies and notices, and contracts addressing privacy and cybersecurity and beyond.
Ella’s legal abilities regularly earn her recognition from her peers, the judiciary and the community. She has been recognized by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, by the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee for "Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Lawyer” and has been featured as a Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star for five consecutive years. Ella is actively committed to charitable and pro bono initiatives in the Tampa Bay community. She serves on the board of directors for several organizations, including Bay Area Legal Services, Are You Safe and Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Litigation American Inn of Court. Ella also served as the Executive Director of Project H.E.L.P., a pro bono project which provides legal assistance to the homeless and indigent population.
Credentials
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2009
- University of South Florida, B.A., summa cum laude, 2005
Bar Admissions
- Florida
- Massachusetts
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Languages
- Hebrew
Professional and Civic
- The Florida Bar
- Cybersecurity and Privacy Law Committee (2023-present)
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Trial & Litigation Section
- Board of Directors (2022-present)
- Co-Chair, Hillsborough County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Committee (2014-2016)
- Trial & Litigation Section
- Board Member, Bay Area Legal Services
- Executive Director, Project H.E.L.P. Tampa (pro bono clinic for the homeless)
- Board Member and volunteer attorney, Are You Safe
- Board Member and Mentoring Coordinator, Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Litigation American Inn of Court
- Co-Chair, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee’s Firm Subcommittee
- Member, Annual Convention Committee of the Florida Bar (2017-19)
News & Insights
Presentations
- Speaker, CLE Presentation, “Recent Updates in Privacy and Data Security,” (August 18, 2022)
- Speaker, Tampa Bay Organization of Women in International Trade (TBOWIT), "Helms-Burton Unleashed: Uncertainty Ahead for Investors in Cuba" (September 26, 2019)
- Speaker, 5th Annual Reception, Tampa Bay Pro Bono Partners (March 28, 2019)
- Speaker, Social Justice Advocacy Forum, Stetson University College of Law (March 22, 2019)
- Speaker, Leadership Development Committee Luncheon, Stetson University College of Law (April 18, 2018)
Publications
- Florida Bar Journal, Co-Author, "Use of the Constructive Knowledge Standard when Evaluating 'Evident Partiality' Challenges to Arbitration Awards in Florida," July/August 2023 Issue
- Hillsborough County Bar Association's Lawyer Magazine, Co-Author, "A Future View of Document Review," January/February 2023 Issue
- Orlando Business Journal, Co-Author, “Federal data protection law amendment might apply to you – and requires quick action,” November 25, 2022
- Daily Business Review, Co-Author, "When it Comes to Cyber Insurance Words Matters," October 13, 2022
- Tampa Bay Business Journal, Co-Author, “What Every Business Should Know About the Proposed
American Data Privacy and Protection Act,” September 9, 2022 - The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Author, “SCOTUS Concludes That a Defendant’s Belief Regarding Patent Validity is Not a Defense to an Induced Infringement Claim,” June 2, 2015
- The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Author, “The Fourth Circuit Concludes that SCOTUS’s Nasser Opinion Did Not Change Other Burdens of Proof for Retaliation Plaintiffs,” May 27, 2015
- American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Co-author, "Is Possession a Requirement for Turnover?" April 2013, cited by bankruptcy treatise Collier Trustees & Debtors in Possession P. 10.02
- The Bankruptcy Strategist, Co-author, "Sunbeam Eclipsed: Does a Sale Free and Clear Negate the Rights of Non-Debtor License," February 1, 2013
- Real Estate Title Practice in Massachusetts - MCLE Treatise, Co-author, "Bankruptcy," 2013
- Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Law 2013 - Top Lawyers on Trends and Key Strategies for the Upcoming Year, Co-author, "Licensees Beware: Recent Changes in the Intersection of Bankruptcy Law and Intellectual Property Law," 2013
- American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Co-author, "Can a Counterparty to an Executory Contract Perform Preassumption?" May 2012
- Law360, Co-author, "Buyer Beware: 363 Sale May Not Absolve Successor Liability," April 20, 2012
- The Bankruptcy Strategist, Co-author, "Choppy Waters in The Safe Harbor for Shareholders Of Failed LBOs?" March 1, 2012
- American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Co-author, "Bankruptcy's Impact on Financial Markets," December 1, 2011
- American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Co-author, "Chrysler Reflects Modern Reorganization Practice," December 1, 2010
Media Mentions
- Ella Shenhav Comments on University’s Data Privacy Measures – “GW’s data privacy principles are too broad: experts – The GW Hatchet,” The GW Hatchet (September 19, 2022)
- “Tampa data security expert says new law has broad consequences,” The Tampa Bay Business Journal (September 15, 2022)
News & Speaking Engagements
Blog Posts
Practice Areas
Accolades
- Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)/U.S. Credential
- Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Civil Mediator
- Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, 2023, 2024
- "Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Lawyer," Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, 2021
- "Proven Producer," Hillsborough County Bar Association's Pro Bono 5K, 2020
- Florida Trend Legal Elite, Business Litigation, 2019
- "Pro Bono Attorney of the Year," Are You Safe, 2017
- "Outstanding Pro Bono Service by a Young Lawyer," Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee, 2017
- Florida Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, Rising Star, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
- Florida Trend Legal Elite, Up and Comer, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Tampa Bay Business Journal, Up and Comer, 2015
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights, 2012, 2013
