Ellen Rappaport Tanowitz - a Newton, United States Civil Litigation Lawyer

Newton Civil Litigation Lawyer

Updated: 04/22/2026

Areas of Practice

Civil Litigation
Landlord-Tenant matters
Contract Disputes
Real Estate Disputes
Condominium Issues
Disputes surrounding home improvement projects
General Business Disputes

Litigation: 95%

Attorney Information

Overview

Ellen Rappaport Tanowitz is the founding partner of Tanowitz Law Office, P.C. Her practice focuses on civil litigation and has represented clients throughout the United States and abroad. Ms. Tanowitz represents clients in landlord/tenant matters, contract disputes, real estate disputes, condominium issues, disputes surrounding home improvement projects and general business disputes. Ms. Tanowitz handles both arbitration and litigation matters in all trial courts in the Commonwealth and in Federal Court. Ms. Tanowitz is an active member of Bet Tzedek, a program that provides pro bono legal assistance through Jewish Family and Children's Service and her synagogue where she sits on the executive committee. She has a number of reported cases and published articles and regularly speaks about real estate issues for seminars run by the office and for the City of Boston.

Ms. Tanowitz has been a member of the Massachusetts Bar since 1995 and the New York Bar since 1996. She is also licensed to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the First Circuit as well as the Federal District Courts for Massachusetts, the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with high honors in American Studies and History. She earned her law degree from Boston College Law School.

Prior to opening her own law firm in 2002, Ms. Tanowitz worked as an associate at several firms in the Boston area handling a wide range of litigation matters, including insurance defense for the travel industry, general business disputes and real estate litigation.

Education

Legal Education
- Boston College Law School, Boston, Massachusetts
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, 1992
  B.A., Bachelor of Arts
  Honors: magna cum laude
  Honors: Phi Beta Kappa
  Major: History and American Studies

Current Employment Position(s)

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Member
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Past Positions

Rubin, Hay & Gould, P.C., Associate, 1998 - 2002

Languages

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English
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Classes and Seminars

2013 Buying Condominium: Homebuying 102, City of Boston
2013 Three Unit Condominiums, City of Boston
2012 How to be a Good Residential Landlord, Make Money and Stay out of Trouble, Tanowitz Law Office, P.C.
2012 Ten Tips for Residential Contractors, Tanowitz Law Office, P.C.
2009 General Practice and Solo Division of the American Bar Association, Mid Year Meeting. Topic: Advising the Small Business
2008 Lawyers in Transition Conference Sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association. Topic: Basics in Civil Litigation
2007 Lawyers in Transition Conference Sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association. Topic: Basics in Civil Litigation
2007 RESOLVE of the Bay State Conference. Topic: Bonding with your Adopted Child and International Adoption Basics
2006 RESOLVE of the Bay State Conference. Topic: Bonding with your Adopted Child and International Adoption Basics
2004 Conference for the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. Topic: Getting Yourself Published

Pro Bono Activities

Active Member of Bet Tzedek, 2010 - Present

Published Works

Articles

Bassett v. Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, 204 F.3d 343 (2d Cir. 2000)
Paster v. Putney Student Travel, CV 99-2062 RSWL, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9194 (C.D. Cal. June 9, 1999)
Schechter v. Tauck Tours, Inc., 17 F. Supp.2d 255 (S.D.N.Y. 1998) (drafted brief)
Bloom Construction Co., Inc. v. Upham, Civil Action 2000-01560 (Essex Sup. Ct. May 17, 2004)
Fleet National Bank v. Yolanda Pirolli as Executrix of the Estate of Michael J. Pirolli, Civil Action 97-4586C 12 M.L.W. 3
"Need House Work: Tips on Choosing the Right Contractor", The Young Lawyer, September 2005.
"Telecommuting and the Home Office", 1 Mass.Bar. Assoc. Section Rev. 34 (2005)
"Same Sex Marriage – The Massachusetts Decision", The Young Lawyer, September 2004
"Life as a Telecommuter", The Young Lawyer, June 2004
"Tour Tips for Tranquil Travels", The Young Lawyer, September 2003
"Changing the Rules of Procedure: How Will Revisions Affect Your Practice?" 3 Mass. Bar Assoc. Section Rev. 48 (Spring 2001)
"Juggling Act: The Parent-Lawyer", GP Solo April/May 2008
"Someone to Watch Over Yours?", The Young Lawyer, March/April 2006.

Bar Admissions

Massachusetts, 1995
New York, 1996
U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1996
U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 2013
Supreme Court of the United States of America, 2007

Other Affiliations

Women's Bar Association, 2010 - Present

Fraternities and Sororities

Phi Beta Kappa

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Contact

Newton, MA

1320 Centre Street
Suite 305
Newton, MA 02459

Directions

Phone: 617-380-7649

Fax: 617-249-0867

Email: Send a message

Website: http://www.tanowitzlaw.com

Credit Cards Accepted
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