Ellen has extensive expertise and experience in inheritance and probate law, family law, criminal law, child welfare law, contract law and real estate.

She works daily with advice and dispute resolution related to inheritance planning, probate law, parental conflicts and criminal cases. She is regularly assigned by the court as a public trustee in matrimonial and estate probate cases, and has extensive experience in handling complex and lengthy probate cases. Ellen is also an approved mediator.

Ellen is an experienced litigator and has conducted a significant number of civil and criminal cases before the courts. She has a background both from the police and as a judge, and has been permanent defense counsel for Asker and Bærum District Court and Borgarting Court of Appeal. Ellen has conducted several major criminal cases in the field of investigation, where she has assisted the Norwegian Rescue Society.

As a former head of criminal investigation in Asker and Bærum, Ellen also has experience in issues related to environmental law, the Occupational Transport Act, the Railway Act, the Maritime Act, the Port Act and emergency preparedness and security legislation.

Ellen wants to use her legal expertise for the benefit of society and the people she comes into contact with in the functions she serves at any given time. For this task, she uses her legal judgment, her ability to make decisions, collaborate, communicate and listen, as well as the ability to see the big picture.

Areas of expertise

• Inheritance law
• Children's rights
• Child protection
• Real estate and construction
• Family and probate law
• Administration and public law
• Contract law
• Criminal law
• Dispute resolution and litigation

Experience

• 2019: Lawyer and partner, Advokatfirmaet Dehn DA
• 2001: Attorney and partner, Brækhus Dege / Brækhus Advokatfirma
• 2000: Chief criminal investigator/police inspector, Asker and Bærum police district
• 1999: Acting magistrate, Holmestrand magistrate's office
• 1998: Deputy judge, Holmestrand magistrate's office
• 1990: Chief of Criminal Investigation, Asker and Bærum Police District
• 1990: Ministry of Justice, Department of Correctional Services

Educational background

• 2001: Course in Crisis Information, Central School for Civil Preparedness
• 1997: LOU I - Course in management and organizational development, Norwegian Police University College (10 credits)
• 1997: Course in Staff Management
• 1995: Course in business planning, Statskonsult
• 1993: Course in personnel management, Asker and Bærum police district
• 1992: Management course for lawyers, Norwegian Police University College
• 1992: Admitted to the bar
• 1989: University of Oslo Cand.Jur.
• 1978-1980: University of Utah

Assignments etc. / Positions etc.

• 2010: Permanent defense counsel for Asker and Bærum District Court and Borgarting Court of Appeal
• Board member of the Norwegian Equestrian Federation
• Board member of Anicura Vet AS
• 2005-2008: Lawyer on assignment for the Norwegian Bureau for the Investigation of Police Affairs