- One word to describe yourself: Compelling
- Alma mater:Capital University Law School (Juris Doctor), University of Michigan (Bachelor of Arts)
- Favorite TV show: "Law & Order"
- Favorite movie: "The Fugitive"
- Favorite hobby(ies): Spending time with my husband and son, swimming, and watching basketball.
- Favorite route you have ever ridden or frequent (and why): My favorite line is the CBUS—COTA’s free downtown circulator that takes you around downtown Columbus.
Lindsay Ford Ellis plays an integral role at Central Ohio Transit Authority, making valuable contributions during a time of great transformation for the authority. She joined the legal division in October 2013 as associate counsel. In 2015, she was promoted to senior associate counsel due to her deft handling of legal matters including personal injury, collections, claims and contract review. Recently, Ford Ellis was once again promoted to claims counsel, leading the claims department in the legal division.
Ford Ellis has successfully settled many cases and obtained judgments in favor of COTA. In 2017 she successfully represented COTA as lead trial counsel in a personal injury case involving a claim that was brought by a passenger alleging injury. Her expert handling of the case saved the authority tens of thousands of dollars in potential damages. In another lawsuit, she again served as lead trial counsel and was able to collect $15,000 on COTA’s behalf stemming from an accident in which a truck hit one of the authority’s buses.
In 2016 Ford Ellis took on the role as staff representative to the CBUS Taskforce. A team of stakeholders came together to research funding options so the CBUS downtown circulator could remain fare-free. Ford Ellis was the point person for COTA and drafted the task force’s final report recommending the pursuit of federal funding working with MORPC; working with the City of Columbus to explore the expansion of CBUS to replace Columbus’ employee shuttle; considering private foundation funding; and selling advertising on CBUS.
She also was part of a strategic planning committee with the leadership team that shaped COTA’s Transit System Redesign in 2017, which represents the first overhaul of the bus system’s service in its 46-year history. As part of that redesign, Ford Ellis went outside her legal role and helped to plan visits from representatives of transit authorities in other cities who came to experience the changes’ debut in May 2017.
Ford Ellis developed and advocated for the publication of a COTA Passenger Code of Conduct. As one of the attorneys who represents COTA in seeking bans against individuals engaged in misconduct, she recognized that COTA did not have a Passenger Code of Conduct to inform passengers about the rules for riding COTA buses. She created a cross-functional team, including employees from customer service, transportation, security and marketing to develop the first-ever published Passenger Code of Conduct that was published on buses in 2015.
As a 2017 William J. Lhota Leaders of the Future Program Graduate, she spearheaded the development of the Ambassador Program at COTA. The program sends specially trained employees in bright COTA garb to community events. There, they engage and educate people about the transit organization. She leads the trainings for ambassadors to make sure they are well-informed about COTA's services and make positive impressions on members of the community. The ambassador role is required for all administrative employees, who attend two events each year plus Red, White & Boom, which is an all-hands-on-deck affair. This outreach and brand-building are critical for an agency that relies on voters for its funding.
Ford Ellis has taken on leadership roles in the local bar as president and immediate past president of the John Mercer Langston Bar Association, former co-chair of the Minorities in the Law Committee of the Columbus Bar Association, Secretary of the Law and Leadership Institute, and a former fellow of the African American Leadership Academy. She was recently named a 2018 recipient of Columbus Business First’s 40 Under 40 award.
Prior to joining COTA, Lindsay was one of very few attorneys, much less African-American attorneys, to be selected as staff for the Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. She served on a team that made history under Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor. Of the five staff members under Chief O'Connor, four were women, two were gay and Lindsay was the only person of color.
Ford Ellis serves or has served on the Budget Committee, Safety and Security Committee, Wellness Committee, the UNCF Committee and the Roadeo and Family Fun Day Committee.
“I joined COTA because the role it plays in our community aligns with my personal mission. As an attorney, my goal has been to help people by being their advocate and, ultimately, improving their lives. Public transit is extremely critical and can assist people by changing their circumstances. When I was looking for a new employer, I saw a great fit in transit because I knew that I would become part of an industry that directly helps people as well as impacts our community.”
“My proudest legal accomplishment at COTA has been obtaining two trial verdicts in COTA’s favor. In 2017, I successfully represented COTA as lead trial counsel in a personal injury case involving a claim that was brought by a passenger alleging injury. I saved the authority tens of thousands of dollars in potential damages. In another lawsuit, I served as lead trial counsel and was able to collect $15,000 on COTA’s behalf stemming from an accident in which a truck hit one of the authority’s buses.”
“The best practice tip I can provide in-house legal counsel is to develop strong relationships with the individuals in the business unit in order to gain their trust. As in-house legal counsel, my goal is to advise COTA on the law and eliminate or reduce the authority’s liability and exposure. In order to accomplish my goal, it is critical to develop relationships with the operations and business side of the authority. As I have forged better relationships with my clients, they are more comfortable seeking my legal advice and counsel because they view me as a trusted legal advisor and their advocate.”
