Zihan (Ellen) Zheng

Ellen Zheng is a Law Clerk in the litigation team at ILS’s Los Angeles office, specializing in commercial litigation, employment law, and regulatory compliance. Ellen’s career is defined by her unique ability to pivot across legal disciplines, with diverse international experience at leading U.K. and U.S. law firms.

Ellen began her legal career as a transactional attorney at a Magic Circle firm, rotating across banking & finance and antitrust practice areas. She worked closely with major PRC state-owned enterprises on cross-border M&A filings, including navigating EU competition regulations and U.S. CFIUS reviews. Her experience also includes facilitating syndicated project financings, which provided her with a deep understanding of the business side of law—an insight that continues to enrich her litigation practice today.

Before joining ILS, Ellen was part of the litigation and investigations team at a Vault top 10 U.S. law firm, where she conducted internal investigations for multinational clients in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, automotive, retail, and private equity. Her work focused on compliance investigations, SEC enforcement, and due diligence for M&A transactions, fueling her transition from transactional law to litigation—a field where she found her true passion for tackling complex legal challenges.

Driven by a passion for technology and cybersecurity, Ellen externed at the Cybercrime Bureau of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office while at NYU Law School, where she further developed her expertise in the intersection of law and emerging technologies.

Outside of her legal career, Ellen is dedicated to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She is active in fitness and enjoys golf, yoga, jogging, and swimming.