J. Nicholas Ellis Partner Poyner Spruill, Rocky Mount

NCLW Power Commercial & Consumer Litigation_Ellis_Nick

North Carolina Lawyers Weekly Staff//July 9, 2025//

Listen to this article

Nicholas Ellis relies on a mix of knowledge and pragmatism to help his clients resolve their problems in his practice at Poyner Spruill.

With over 36 years of experience, he represents businesses, government agencies, and individuals needing someone to advocate for them in civil litigation. In 2022, the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys awarded Ellis the J. Robert Elster Award for Professional Excellence.

“I spent the first 10-to-15 years of my practice primarily doing insurance work,” he says. “But the more I got into the commercial litigation world, the more I realized that each of my cases is unique.”

During his career, Ellis has tried close to 100 civil jury trials.

“My experience has helped me understand how to best present my client’s case in court and the confidence to know I’ve been there before and can assess risks of litigation,” he says. “Hopefully, this puts my clients in position to know best about going to trial or working towards a resolution of their dispute.”