Overview

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Anne Marie Ellis is the Office Managing Partner of Buchalter’s Orange County office and serves as California Chair of the firm’s Products Liability and Mass Torts Practice Group, as well as Chair of both the Chemical Law & Proposition 65 and Automotive Industry Groups. She represents clients in complex product liability defense, personal injury and commercial litigation, regulatory compliance, CPSC Section 15(b) reporting, recalls, and risk management counseling.

Anne Marie is nationally recognized by Chambers USA as a leader in Product Liability and Mass Torts (USA – Nationwide). Buchalter’s Products Liability and Mass Torts Practice Group is recognized by Chambers USA as “Highly Regarded” in Product Liability & Mass Torts. These distinctions reflect an independent research process evaluating attorney experience, client feedback, and peer recognition.

Recent client commentary includes:

  • “Anne Marie is always prompt, professional and on task.”
  • “Anne Marie Ellis’ client service, sophistication and commercial vision are very strong. She is sharp and attentive, with keen attention to detail.”
  • “She is responsive, diligent, and delivers excellent work product.”
  • “She provides excellent service — extremely organized and clear in her recommendations.”
  • “Anne Marie knows the strategies for handling complex cases and is highly cost-effective.”
  • “Anne Marie stands out in terms of the level of client service she provides.”
  • “Anne Marie possesses an in-depth knowledge of legal procedures and exhibits strong ethics and exceptional communication.”

Known for practicality and efficiency in high-exposure matters, Anne Marie has prevailed in state and federal courts nationwide across every phase of litigation and trial. She is well-versed in e-discovery and the preservation of trade secrets and confidential information.

She has substantial experience advising manufacturers and importers on Section 15(b) reporting, CPSC investigations, and recall execution—including children’s products, chemical compliance issues, marketplace failures, Fast Track recalls, and onsite regulatory investigations. She also handles cross-border reporting, including coordination with Health Canada.

A frequent author and presenter, Anne Marie is actively advancing the discussion around PFAS claims and Proposition 65 compliance, and she has extensive experience defending private enforcement actions.

Regulatory Compliance and Pre-Litigation Counsel

Anne Marie is a trusted advisor to regulated businesses navigating investigations, enforcement actions, and compliance matters before the CPSC, California DTSC, state Attorneys General, and the FDA. She guides clients through every stage of agency engagement—from initial inquiries and Section 15(b) reporting to on-site inspections, recall execution, negotiated settlements, and consent orders—working to resolve matters efficiently and minimize collateral litigation risk.

Her pre-litigation counsel focuses on identifying vulnerabilities before they become claims. She advises on product safety assessments, supply chain and vendor management, warranty programs, releases and waivers, warnings and labeling, user manuals, and the design of practical compliance and testing protocols tailored to each client’s products and risk profile.

Anne Marie also defends CLRA, false advertising, and unfair business practices claims, as well as Title III ADA and Unruh Civil Rights Act lawsuits involving brick-and-mortar and website accessibility. When a crisis emerges, she partners with company leadership to contain exposure and implement a strong, coordinated early defense.

Industries Served

Anne Marie represents national and regional manufacturers, retailers, distributors, importers, franchisors, and direct selling companies across sectors including:

  • Amusement park venues
  • Apparel, textiles, jewelry, and accessories
  • Arborists
  • Automotive, including autonomous vehicles and emerging technologies
  • Chemicals, PFAS, and toxic torts
  • Children’s products, toys, care devices, and clothing
  • Consumer appliances and packaged goods
  • Cosmetics, health and wellness, and dietary supplements
  • Food and hospitality
  • Micromobility and motorcycles
  • Sporting goods, fitness equipment, and recreational/outdoor products
  • Trash and recycling haulers
  • Wildland fires

Attorney General Investigations

  • Represented company responding to a Civil Investigative Demand, resulting in a settlement of claims through a consent decree with the State of Washington.

False Advertising Claims- State, Federal Court and Purported Class Actions

  • Defended claims regarding potential for leaching of and exposure to micro plastics in an infant product.
  • Defended claims regarding PFAS in apparel, textiles and makeup.
  • Defended “Made In” claims.
  • Defended allegedly misleading labeling of protein daily value (“PDCAAS”).
  • Defended claims regarding the use of “natural” in a beverage and “no preservatives” in packaged food.
  • Defended claims regarding “slack fill” allegations with food packaging.

Industry-wide Defense

  • Defended beauty and cosmetic brands in California Proposition 65 matters over titanium dioxide in makeup through joint defense groups.
  • Defended manufacturers and retailers in California Proposition 65 matters over BPA in socks and athletic apparel through joint defense groups.
  • Defended manufacturers and retailers in California Proposition 65 matters over BPS in thermal receipt paper through joint defense groups.
  • Defended manufacturers and retailers in California Proposition 65 matters over DEA in cosmetics through joint defense groups.

Litigation Successes

  • Served as local counsel in obtaining a complete defense verdict in Yolo County Superior Court for a company providing consulting services related to urban forestry in a wrongful death case. After a 17-day trial, the jury found no liability for our client, while the co-defendant was found liable for over $24 million in damages.
  • Secured dismissal of a putative class action in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California involving concussion liability for USA Football.
  • Obtained Summary Judgment and dismissal for a national hardware store chain in an ADA disability access lawsuit.
  • Obtained summary judgment for contract manufacturers and retailers in a Proposition 65 lawsuit.
  • Secured dismissal of action in the California Superior Court for the County of Orange based on Forum Non Conveniens.
  • Obtained summary adjudication on a negligent infliction of emotional distress claim in a product liability/personal injury action.
  • Secured dismissal of action alleging violations of the Unruh Civil Rights Act, Bane Act, Disabled Persons Act, and intentional infliction of emotional distress in the California Superior Court for the County of Orange.

Product Safety and Compliance

  • Defended hundreds of manufacturers, retailers and distributors in California Proposition 65 Notices of Violation and litigation.
  • Represented retailers and distributors in instituting recalls and respond to investigations instituted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • Counseled manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics, food and supplements on compliance obligations with state and federal law.
  • Defended manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in design, manufacturing and failure to warn claims.
  • Defended micro mobility company in product liability lawsuits.
  • Defended companies facing uninsured exposure from catastrophic injury lawsuits.
  • Defended retail platform facing liability for selling allegedly defective products.
  • Counseled entities on product safety compliance, including developing manuals and procedures.
  • Represented retailer in statewide investigations regarding consumer goods.
  • Advised clients on defense and indemnity obligations from manufacturing agreements.

Admissions

  • California
  • Supreme Court of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Education

  • Seton Hall University School of Law, J.D., 2002
    • Member of the Sports Law Journal
  • University of California, Berkeley, B.A., English, 1999

  • Ranked in Chambers and Partners USA Guide, Product Liability & Mass Torts, Highly Regarded Nationwide (2025 and 2026)
  • Recognized as Orange County Business Journal Top Litigators and Corporate Lawyers (2025 and 2026)
  • Recognized as a Leader of Influence – Women in the Law (2024 and 2025)
  • Finalist in the 2024 OC Inspirational Women Awards by the L.A. Times B2B Publishing

 

Anne Marie is a dynamic professional with a passion for driving excellence and inclusivity. She serves on various firm governance committees, including the partnership evaluation, Orange County women’s, marketing, and DEI committees. Her leadership shapes strategic decisions, fosters diversity, amplifies the firm’s brand, and advocates for inclusivity. Anne Marie’s dedication inspires positive change and drives impactful results.

Anne Marie brings her litigation and regulatory depth to a variety of industry groups, such as:

  • International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO) which is an international, neutral forum for product safety stakeholders to learn, network and share information.
  • Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), a prestigious trade association at the forefront of helping product manufacturers, retailers and suppliers stay abreast of legal and regulatory issues (Sustaining Member).
  • Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) Legal Task Force.
  • Executive Committee General Interest Representative, Hockey Equipment Certification Council Inc., which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks out, evaluates and selects standards and testing procedures for hockey equipment.
  • Society of Product Safety Professionals which provides product safety management education and certification.
  • Women in Manufacturing – national and global trade association dedicated to providing support to women in the manufacturing industry.

  • Former Board and Advisory Board Member of WHW, which merged with Working Wardrobes.
  • Member of the Founders Guild of Casa Teresa and has fundraised for various projects to assist the women and children they serve.

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