Julie A. Ellis is a seasoned business attorney with more than 25 years of sophisticated legal experience advising companies of all sizes, financial institutions, and entrepreneurs on complex commercial transactions, high-stakes litigation, regulatory compliance, and bankruptcy matters. She joins Rooney McBride & Smith after serving as a partner at a nationally recognized Chicago based law firm, where she represented national and international clients in sophisticated commercial finance and business matters.
Julie’s practice is centered on serving as a strategic legal advisor to businesses across industries, providing practical, solutions-oriented counsel that aligns legal strategy with business objectives. Clients value her ability to combine technical legal skill with sound business judgment, helping them navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and move forward with confidence. She routinely advises on contract drafting and negotiation, risk management, corporate transactions, mergers and acquisitions and dispute resolution, and is frequently engaged as outside general counsel to support companies through growth, transition, and evolving regulatory environments.
A highly experienced contract attorney and litigator, Julie negotiates and drafts complex commercial agreements with a focus on clarity, enforceability, and long-term business success. She represents clients in a wide range of matters, including business growth and development, commercial equipment finance, vendor and customer agreements, secured and unsecured commercial financing, commercial leasing transactions, and corporate deal structures.
Julie also brings extensive experience managing complex commercial litigation and insolvency matters nationwide. She has overseen and directed litigation strategies in state and federal courts across the country, coordinating multi-jurisdictional matters to prosecute and defend claims, enforce contracts, and pursue creditor remedies, including proceedings under Chapters 7, 11, and 13 of the Bankruptcy Code. Her combined experience as both transactional counsel and litigation strategist allows her to anticipate risk at the drafting stage and guide clients through disputes with a steady, practical approach.
With significant experience in commercial structuring, finance and commercial equipment leasing, Julie advises commercial lenders, finance companies, and businesses on secured transactions under UCC Articles 2A and 9, as well as evolving commercial finance disclosure and licensing requirements. She has guided international commercial equipment finance companies entering the U.S. market and has negotiated mergers and acquisitions between U.S. and international banking institutions. Julie has guided commercial clients as they expand their presence into all 50 states and Puerto Rico and represented U.S. based clients in all stages of growth as they merge with international financial institutions.
Julie is a recognized industry speaker who has presented nationally on regulatory compliance, commercial finance disclosure laws, contract enforcement, section 1071 compliance, the Corporate Transparency Act, commercial agreement structuring, litigation and bankruptcy protections. She is known for making complex legal issues understandable and actionable, and for building long-term relationships grounded in trust, responsiveness, and results.
Julie’s background as both a litigator and business owner informs her practical, client-focused approach. She is committed to helping clients solve problems efficiently, protect what they have built, and position their businesses for sustainable growth. She is a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA), and the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association.