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Jessica A. Ellel, Health Care Attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Houston Harbaugh PC

Pittsburgh, PA

Trusted health care attorney serving Pittsburgh.

2
Bar admissions

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Quick answer

Jessica A. Ellel is an attorney based in Pittsburgh, PENNSYLVANIA. The practice focuses on Health Care. Currently practicing at Houston Harbaugh PC.

Based in
Pittsburgh, PENNSYLVANIA
Experience
attorney
Known for
Health Care
  • Handles Health Care matters from Pittsburgh, PENNSYLVANIA.
  • Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Health Care Law (2026).

About Jessica A. Ellel: Jessica A. Ellel is an attorney based in Pittsburgh, PENNSYLVANIA. The practice focuses on Health Care. Currently practicing at Houston Harbaugh PC.

Areas of practice

Jessica's practice areas in Pittsburgh

Jessica concentrates on health care. Each area below outlines the kind of case Jessica handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Health Care cases in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Jessica takes health care matters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Jessica agrees to represent you.

Biography

Jessica A. Ellel, health care attorney serving Pittsburgh

Jessica A. Ellel is an attorney based in Pittsburgh, PENNSYLVANIA. The practice focuses on Health Care. Currently practicing at Houston Harbaugh PC. Jessica works from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and takes on health care matters across the region.

Chair of Houston Harbaugh’s Health Law Practice, Jessica works almost exclusively with health care entities and health practitioners. She has extensive experience with:

  • Drafting and negotiating physician employment agreements from both the physician and employer perspectives
  • Negotiating contracts between physicians and hospitals
  • Preparing purchase agreements to govern the sale of medical practices
  • Advising on corporate governance issues, from practice formation to dissolution
  • Developing comprehensive compliance plans for physician practices, hospitals, third-party billing administrators, and other health care and related entities
  • Organizing strategies for compliance with fraud and abuse laws
  • Addressing HIPAA compliance

Jessica is especially well-versed in HIPAA compliance and authors numerous client updates and bulletins on the subject. She conducts on-site and remote HIPAA training and also maintains Houston Harbaugh’s HIPAA compliance manual, ” Federal HIPAA Privacy Standards Simplified: A Comprehensive Tool-Kit”.

As an outgrowth of her work with non-profit health care entities, Jessica also helps non-profit organizations and foundations with their corporate affairs, such as obtaining and maintaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and handling regulatory compliance matters. Her experience in the non-profit industry includes serving as counsel during the merger of several multi-state non-profits into one regional entity which required communication and information sharing with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office to obtain approval for the transaction.

Jessica frequently publishes articles and presents on issues relating to physician employment agreements, the Affordable Care Act, and other compliance issues. She has published articles in the Allegheny County Medical Society Bulletin and in the Physicians News Digest.

Jessica is also an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law teaching the course Legal Aspects of Health Care Compliance.

Working with Jessica on a health care matter

Chair of Houston Harbaugh’s Health Law Practice, Jessica works almost exclusively with health care entities and health practitioners. She has extensive experience with: Drafting and negotiating physician employment agreements from both the physician and employer perspectives Negotiating contracts between physicians and hospitals Preparing purchase agreements to govern the sale of medical…

Who Jessica represents

Jessica reviews new inquiries case-by-case for health care matters in Pittsburgh and the surrounding Pennsylvania area.

Credentials

Credentials — where Jessica studied and practices

  • University of Pittsburgh

    J.D. · 2002

  • Cornell University

    B.S.

Jurisdictions

Jessica's state bar admissions

  • Pennsylvania, U.S. D

    ACTIVE

  • Pennsylvania, Common

    ACTIVE

Jessica studied at J.D. in University of Pittsburgh and B.S. in Cornell University.

Law school and academic background

Jessica completed J.D. in University of Pittsburgh and B.S. in Cornell University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Jessica runs in Pennsylvania is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Jessica's legal honors and published work

Jessica has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Best Lawyers in America — Health Care Law

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Best Lawyers in America — Health Care Law (2026).

Locations

Jessica A. Ellel's office in Pittsburgh

Jessica's primary office is at 401 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15222. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Houston Harbaugh PC

401 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Jessica A. Ellel

Jessica has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Jessica A. Ellel — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new health care attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Jessica usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Jessica charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Jessica's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Jessica will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a health care attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A short list to run through before you commit: How many health care matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Jessica

Jessica discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in health care practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every health care matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Jessica confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Jessica's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many health care practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Jessica A. Ellel

  • How much does it cost to hire Jessica for a health care case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Jessica walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Jessica offer a free consultation?

    Jessica charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Jessica's office. Some health care attorneys offer free consults — check Jessica's current terms during booking.

  • How long do health care cases in Pennsylvania typically take?

    Simple health care matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Jessica gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Jessica take my case if I'm outside Pittsburgh?

    Jessica is licensed in Pennsylvania. Matters governed by Pennsylvania law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Jessica will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Jessica?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Jessica will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Jessica accepting new health care clients right now?

    Jessica's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Health Care attorneys serving Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania

Jessica handles health care matters throughout Pennsylvania. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified health care attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Jessica's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these health care attorneys in Pittsburgh handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.