Meet John Ellis: Candidate for New York Supreme Court

I have done just about every form of litigation at one point or another and have found success in all different facets of the law. Every year of my professional life has included service to my Nation, State, County and Village. I am as proud of that fact as any medal or jump wings I have earned over my lifetime.

John Ellis (third from left) with the Army in Ft. Bragg.

Background and Experience

I was born in Hawaii while my father was on active duty during the Vietnam era.   My family had settled in the North Country and I am the third generation in our small town.  My great-grandmother emigrated from Lebanon at the turn of the century.  My paternal grandfather ran a market place in Tupper Lake on Park Street and graduated from High School.  His wife, Lena, was a Younis from the Syracuse area and we have family in the Carthage, Fulton and Syracuse area.   Many of my family members still live in Franklin County today, living in Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, St Regis Falls, and Malone.

My father was the first of his family to graduate from college, graduating from Siena College in 1962.  He married Elaine Parks from St. Regis Falls.  My mother received her degree the same year I graduated from Siena College: 1987.

Educational and Military Journey

• Siena College (University):   I went to Siena College on a four year ROTC scholarship and was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant in 1987.  I went to Airborne School in 1986.

  
  

• I was granted an educational delay to go to law school and attended and graduated from Albany Law School in 1990.  I was admitted to the bar on December 17, 1990, a little earlier than my classmates, in order to be able to enter the military and help with Desert Storm.

  
  

•  I went through officer basic training for the JAG Corps and joined the 82d Airborne Division in March of 1991.  I was on active duty for four years with the best the Army had – the United States Airborne soldiers from Fort Bragg.  It was a great honor to have served with these men and women in support of Freedom.  I was lucky enough to receive recognition by being awarded the Army Chief of Staff Award for the best Legal Assistance office in the Army when I was Chief of the section.  I was given an achievement medal for that along with a Meritorious Service Medal for my four years there that included readying the Division for the largest airdrop since World War II.  Operation Uphold Democracy focused on Haiti and was called off at the very last moment (we had just taken to the air) when forces that ousted elected leader Aristide relented and allowed him to resume control of the nation.

Jumping with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Professional Journey

• Private and Public Legal Experience: I returned to Upstate NY in 1995 and began private practice and continued public service by representing the Village of Tupper Lake and the County of Franklin Industrial Development Authority.  I also continued in the Army Reserve.

• District Attorney's Office: I was named as an Assistant District Attorney in Franklin County in 2002.  I have filed and won lawsuits for personal injury, land disputes, matrimonial and custody issues, labor issues, bonding issues and of course criminal prosecutions and a few criminal defense cases.

  
  

• NYS Family Court: For 7 years I presided in Family Court as a Support Magistrate hearing thousands of cases, honing my demeanor on the bench, and issuing decisions that are balanced, fair and compassionate.   I understood that justice delayed is justice denied and rarely had cases go over the accepted standards and goals time frames set forth by the Administrative Judge. 

  
  

• NYS Supreme Court - I was elected as a Justice of the Supreme Court in 2012 serving the 11 counties that comprise the 4^th Judicial District. I am a tireless worker and routinely have the most assigned cases in the district and more importantly have the most disposed cases annually.

John and his daughter, Olivia

Conclusion

For the past fourteen years I have presided in Supreme Court.  I have heard thousands of cases, from the mundane, a stolen pig, to the more sensational, the attempted renaming of Paul Smith’s College.   I strive to issue decisions that are balanced, fair and compassionate.   I understand that justice delayed is justice denied and rarely have cases go over the accepted standards and goals time frames set forth by our Administrative Judge.   I am aware that in deciding cases there is likely to be one party that does not agree with my decision.   I steadfastly follow the statutes and case law, endeavoring to issue decisions quickly and efficiently.

I humbly ask you to re-elect me as your Supreme Court Justice in the Fourth Judicial District on November 3, 2026.