Ellyn E. Nesbit

Ellyn Nesbit specializes in civil appeals and she is certified by the California State Bar as an Appellate Specialist.

Ellyn handles appeals for Murphy Austin’s Business and Commercial Litigation and Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith practice areas, and Ellyn has also handled appeals in a variety of other substantive areas of law, including probate and attorney malpractice defense.

Ellyn provides services as lead appellate counsel, co-counsel, or consultant.  With her substantial experience evaluating litigated matters, Ellyn believes it is equally important for clients to understand the ramifications of an appeal before choosing to proceed. To that end, Ellyn provides detailed counseling to clients about their chances of success on appeal and in writ proceedings, and the potential outcomes. 

Ellyn also has extensive experience in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation in state superior courts and federal district courts, with a primary focus on commercial general liability coverage.

Prior to joining Murphy Austin, Ellyn practiced appellate law and insurance coverage/bad faith litigation for 28 years at Willoughby, Stuart, Bening & Cook, one of the first specialty insurance coverage and bad faith practices in Northern California.

Ellyn earned her J.D. from University of Florida Levin College of Law, while concurrently earning her M.B.A Business Administration at University of Florida. She received her B.A. in Business Administration from Milligan University in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Ellyn has been named in The Best Lawyers in America since 2013. She was voted Best Lawyers 2023 "Lawyer of the Year" for Appellate Practice in San Jose. Ellyn has also been listed in Northern California Super Lawyers since 2013.