Lawrence S. Ebner

An Independent, Highly Experienced, Appellate Specialist

Larry Ebner is an accomplished, steadfast advocate for businesses and industries in federal and state appellate courts throughout the United States. Companies of all sizes, national trade associations, professional organizations, and nonprofit legal foundations call upon Larry when they need an articulate voice in the Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, and state appellate courts.

Larry began practicing law in 1972 following graduation from Harvard Law School. His first legal position was as an Honors Program attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He then spent 42 years as a Washington, D.C.-based litigator and appellate practice leader at a national law firm that in 2015 was absorbed by a global giant. One year later, in 2016, Larry decided to depart “Big Law” so that he could serve his clients in a more personalized, cost-effective manner. He launched his own nationwide appellate litigation boutique, Capital Appellate Advocacy PLLC.

Much of Larry’s pro-business legal practice focuses on matters that involve the federal government or federal law. This includes, for example, cases involving interpretation or application of federal statutes and regulations; tort litigation concerning federally regulated or procured products or services; and federal civil justice issues. Larry is particularly well known for his substantive expertise on federal preemption of state and local law, and all aspects of pesticide regulation.

In addition to practicing law at Capital Appellate Advocacy, Larry serves as Executive Vice President & General Counsel of the Atlantic Legal Foundation, where he is responsible for all aspects of that national public interest organization’s renowned amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) program, including personally drafting the Foundation’s amicus briefs.  Since 1977, the Atlantic Legal Foundation has advocated for individual liberty, free enterprise, property rights, limited government, sound science in judicial and regulatory proceedings, and school choice in the Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals, and state appellate courts throughout the United States.

Strategic Thinking Enhanced By Finely Honed Brief Writing & Oral Advocacy Skills

Clients and colleagues praise Larry for his analytical, brief writing, and oral advocacy skills, and for approaching litigation and other client problems strategically.

Larry is a “hands on” attorney. When clients engage Capital Appellate Advocacy, they get Larry, not a hierarchy of senior partners, junior partners, and associates. Larry personally researches and writes his own legal briefs, and presents oral arguments on behalf of clients. When helpful to a client, Larry teams seamlessly with trial counsel at other firms.

Flexibility

As an independent professional, Larry has the flexibility to serve the needs of all types and sizes of corporate and nonprofit clients. His solo-practice firm rarely encounters the conflicts of interest that burden multi-practice, global mega-firms. Larry also sets his own flat-rate and hourly-rate fees, which are usually lower than a large firm would charge for a senior partner with Larry’s level of experience.

Devoted To the Legal Profession

Larry is a prolific writer and popular speaker on a broad range of subjects. Some of his favorite topics include the practical significance of recent Supreme Court decisions, strategic use and preparation of high-impact amicus curiae briefs, and how attorneys can function effectively in today’s digital world.

Larry has been inducted as a fellow of the highly selective American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. He also is Vice Chair of the Center for Law and Public Policy Management Council, Immediate Past Chair of the Amicus Committee, and Immediate Past Publications Chair of the Appellate Advocacy Committee for DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Larry also has been selected as a Washington, D.C. Super Lawyer – Appellate Litigation for 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. He is one of only a few solo practitioners on the Super Lawyers list of Washington, D.C.’s top private-practice appellate specialists.

Harvard Law School J.D. (1972)

Dartmouth College B.A., with honors, Phi Beta Kappa (1969)

Fellow, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers

DRI-The Voice of the Defense Bar

• Vice Chair, Center for Law and Public Policy
• Immediate Past Chair, Amicus Committee
• Immediate Past Publications Chair, Appellate Advocacy Committee
• Former Board Member, National Foundation for Judicial Excellence

The Federalist Society

Dartmouth Lawyers Association

District of Columbia Bar

Courts

• Supreme Court of the United States
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
• U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• U. S. District Court for the District of Maryland