A proud Charlottean, Ariella (Ella) Z. Walsh is a seasoned civil litigator with extensive trial court experience. Since joining Cranfill Sumner, Ella has cultivated a diverse litigation practice, advising and representing business, municipal, and professional clients in complex litigation areas such as negligence and tort defense, premises liability, personal injury, and constitutional issues. Ella has successfully authored and argued dispositive motions in both Federal and State Courts across North Carolina. Notably, she secured court-ordered dismissals for two corporate entities in a challenging federal discrimination case as well as prevailed at summary judgment on complex constitutional claims brought against municipal clients.
Ella works closely with clients to assist them with complex legal matters at all stages of the litigation process. She has experience conducting initial investigations, pre-suit negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, depositions, court proceedings, and defending matters at trial if necessary. Her trial experience includes both jury and bench trials.
Ella began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Mecklenburg County, where she prosecuted misdemeanor crimes in district court, negotiated plea deals, and assisted victims through the criminal justice process. She received her law degree from North Carolina School of Law, where she was a member of the North Carolina Journal of International Law. She further honed her legal writing skills as a Summer Clerk at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Prior to law school, Ella earned her undergraduate degree from Texas Christian University in political science, cum laude, with minors in business and history.
In her free time, Ella is an avid fan of TCU athletics (Go Frogs!), enjoys reading, and going on long walks with her husband and their three dogs.
Accomplishments
•Selected for inclusion in North Carolina Rising Stars in the field of State, Local, and Municipal (2025-2026)
Most Recent Posts
News
17 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 17 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2026 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
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Slip, Trip, Splash: Summer Hazards on Commercial Property
Summer brings sunshine, sandals-and a spike in slip-and-fall accidents. As crowds flock to pools, amusement parks, outdoor malls, and restaurants...
News
21 Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Named to 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Cranfill Sumner LLP announced that 21 of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyers and 2025 North Carolina Rising Stars lists....
News
Cranfill Sumner Participates in NCBF Empower Hour
On May 30, the attorneys, staff, and summer clerks of Cranfill Sumner LLP joined forces with the North Carolina Bar Foundation to host the Empower Hour, a pro bono legal advice clinic....
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Ensuring Liability-Free Leisure: Five Swimming Pool Safety Tips for Summer
As the weather begins to warm up and the summer holidays approach, now is the time to ensure that your...
News
Cranfill Sumner Volunteers Provide Legal Advice During NCBF Empower Hour
On June 1, 20 volunteers from Cranfill Sumner LLP provided legal service to individuals who are unable to afford it through the “NC Free Legal Answers” Empower Hour program with the North Carolina Bar Foundation....
Result
Mica Nguyen Worthy, Rebecca Knudson, and Ariella Zulman Assist in Complex Business Arbitration Matters for a Client That Resolved in a Two Day Global Mediation
Mica Nguyen Worthy, partner in International Business Practice Group in Charlotte, NC, Rebecca Knudson, partner in Wilmington, NC, and Ariella...
Result
Mica Nguyen Worthy and Ariella Zulman Prevail on All Claims in Their Motion to Dismiss Argued on Behalf of Their Solar Panel Installation Client
Mica Nguyen Worthy, partner in Charlotte, NC, and Ariella Zulman, associate attorney in Charlotte, NC, obtained dismissal of all claims...
Result
Mica Nguyen Worthy and Ariella Zulman Assist Aviation Client in Seeking Past Due Payments and Interest on Governmental Contract Work
Mica Nguyen Worthy, a partner in the Aviation Practice Group, and Ariella Zulman, an associate attorney in Charlotte, NC, prepared...
News
CSH Law Attorneys Assist with Bar Candidate Interviews
Attorneys from Cranfill Sumner LLP assisted in interviews for the February 2022 bar exam session....
News
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys and Paralegals Volunteer for Mock Trial Competition
Attorneys and paralegals from the Charlotte and Wilmington offices of Cranfill Sumner LLP volunteered for regional Mock Trial competitions in their local areas on Feb. 5. They served as judges and jurors during the mock proceedings, which allowed high school students to participate in mock trial competitions and learn about the judicial process. ...
News
CSH Law Welcomes New Attorneys
Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law) announced today that Coltrane Henderson, Kayla McDaniel, Austin Sistrunk, Ani Whittington and Ella Zulman have joined the firm’s Charlotte and Wilmington offices as associate attorneys....
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