Yelena has defended some of the nation’s largest law firms against malpractice, fraud, and other professional-liability claims. Yelena also represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in all aspects of trust and estate litigation, including contested probate and administration proceedings and complex trust disputes. Additionally, Yelena has extensive experience representing corporate and private clients before state and federal courts, in arbitration and mediation proceedings, and before administrative agencies.

Prior to joining Elman Freiberg, Yelena worked at Ropes & Gray LLP and at Matalon Shweky Elman.

In her free time, Yelena enjoys finding fresh mountain air and has recently taken up skiing.

Selected Experience

  • Obtained dismissal of all claims against a global law firm in an action alleging malpractice in connection with an acquisition of a pharmaceutical company.
  • Represented several surviving spouses in connection with their spousal elective share, and in contested probate and turnover proceedings.
  • On behalf of an AmLaw 200 law firm, obtained complete dismissal of malpractice and fraud-related claims in connection with a dispute between a company and its senior executives.
  • Represented a trustee in contested accounting proceedings.
  • On behalf of a global law firm, secured the dismissal of a legal-malpractice claim that arose out of a loan litigation.
  • Represented beneficiaries in an Article 81 guardianship proceeding.
  • Defended a medical device company and its employees in several lawsuits and in an arbitration involving breach of restrictive covenants, unfair competition, and related business claims.
  • Defended a media company against employment discrimination claims before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  • Represented a beneficiary of IRA accounts in a dispute with a financial-advisor firm.
  • Served as lead counsel in a FINRA arbitration that resulted in a complete victory for client.
  • Defended a large national law firm against a multi-million-dollar malpractice claim in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and in a successful mediation.

Presentations & Articles

Education

  • Emory University School of Law (J.D., with honors)
  • Cornell University (B.A., Economics)

Bar Admissions

  • New York

Court Admissions

  • US District Court, Southern District of New York
  • US District Court, Eastern District of New York