Sullivan & Cromwell Hired Appellate Practice Leads
The law firm added three attorneys to expand its Supreme Court and appellate practice in Washington.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People
Sullivan & Cromwell has expanded its Washington office by hiring Jonathan Ellis and Michael Huston to lead its appellate practice. Nicholas Crown also joined the firm as a partner to support the new team.
Why it matters
The firm is strengthening its ability to manage high-stakes litigation before the Supreme Court and other appellate bodies. By recruiting these experienced practitioners, Sullivan & Cromwell aims to deepen its specialized legal strategy capabilities.
Jonathan Ellis and Michael Huston, who previously spent 5 years as colleagues, were recruited to lead the firm's appellate practice. Their collective background includes clerking for Chief Justice John Roberts.
The players
Jonathan Ellis
He is an appellate attorney who previously served as co-chair of the McGuireWoods appeals and issues practice.
Michael Huston
He is a legal expert who previously chaired the appeals, issues and strategy practice group at Ashurst.
Nicholas Crown
He is a lawyer who joined Sullivan & Cromwell as a partner after serving as senior counsel at Ashurst.
Sullivan & Cromwell
This is a prominent international law firm known for its high-stakes corporate and litigation work.
John Roberts
He is the Chief Justice of the United States who oversees the Supreme Court and its operations.
The details
Jonathan Ellis previously served as co-chair of the McGuireWoods appeals and issues practice, while Michael Huston acted as chair of the appeals, issues and strategy practice group at Ashurst. Nicholas Crown, who joins the firm as a partner, previously held the role of senior counsel at Ashurst.
Timeline
Monday, October 5, 2026: Sullivan & Cromwell announced the hiring of the attorneys.
Market Landscape
Law firms are increasingly centralizing top-tier appellate talent to secure favorable outcomes in the highly specialized environment of the Supreme Court of the United States. This move reflects a broader trend of aggressive lateral hiring among major firms to dominate high-stakes federal litigation.
Corporate clients seeking representation in federal appeals may see changes in the firm's capacity to handle complex cases. This expansion likely provides these clients with more robust legal strategy options in Washington-based litigation.
The takeaway
Top-tier law firms continue to invest heavily in specialized appellate expertise to navigate shifting federal legal standards. Clients should evaluate how these personnel changes align with their specific needs for high-level legal advocacy.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts in the legal sector, visit the Washington People section.
