Elisa Alcabes, Founder. I have a deep background in law and language, and I am passionate about working with professionals from around the world. I founded ESL for Lawyers after working with an attorney outside the United States who wanted to sound like a sophisticated American lawyer. I offered her a powerful combination— my extensive experience as a practicing lawyer, my intense focus on communicating in clear English and my compassionate approach to coaching and mentoring.
I studied law at Columbia Law School in New York, where I was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and an editor of the Columbia Law Review. After law school, I enjoyed a long, successful career at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, a top-tier law firm in New York with offices around the world. As Senior Counsel, I managed complex, high-profile litigation and arbitration for Fortune 500 companies, with a focus on insurance coverage, mass torts and bankruptcy. I also advised private equity firms, financial institutions and public corporations on sensitive matters in connection with multi-billion-dollar financial transactions. I am an accomplished writer and co-editor of a three-volume legal treatise. In addition, I handled ground-breaking pro bono matters and earned a prestigious award from the New York City Bar Association in recognition of this work.
After more than 30 years at Simpson Thacher, I launched Alcabes Law, PLLC, where I provide advice and counsel regarding litigation, claims and transactional matters. I also collaborate as Of Counsel to Next Abogados in Madrid, Spain, and I am a mediator on the distinguished Southern District of New York Mediation Panel.
Throughout my career, I have served as a mentor to dozens of lawyers. I’m passionate about helping others write and speak with professionalism. I’m certified to teach English as a second language. I founded ESL for Lawyers to help clients around the world communicate in clear English, write effectively and work confidently in English language settings.
Prior to law school, I studied philosophy at Vassar College, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with honors. I earned a master’s degree in music from The Juilliard School and performed as a clarinetist with several orchestras, including the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in the United States and Italy.
I am a dual citizen of the United States and Spain. I have studied Spanish at the Cervantes Institute, El Taller and privately. I fully appreciate the challenges facing non-native English speakers because I have confronted them learning Spanish as a second language.
I live with my husband in New York, and we have three grown children.
Elisa Alcabes, Founder and Language Coach
ESL for Lawyers, LLC
“Elisa is a top-notch lawyer, an excellent legal writer and communicator, and one of the most genuinely thoughtful and kind people you will ever meet. In the more than seven years that I had the pleasure of working with Elisa, she taught me how to accurately and efficiently analyze contracts and other legal documents, and how to most effectively articulate my clients' positions verbally or in writing. Whenever a legal brief needed to be streamlined or a complicated contract needed to be analyzed, our team would turn to Elisa for guidance--and she always made herself available to help. Elisa has my highest recommendation.”
Matthew P., New York
“I have known Elisa professionally and personally for more than 20 years. Her legal communication and writing skills are impeccable and she brings a vast depth and breadth of knowledge from her decades of litigation experience at a preeminent New York law firm. She is knowledgeable, dedicated and patient, with a warm and engaging personality. Working with Elisa would undoubtedly be an invaluable asset to anyone seeking English instruction, particularly in the legal context.”
Karen C., New York
“Es grato exponer que Elisa, es una persona amable, atenta y con amplia disponibilidad para transmitir sus conocimientos del lenguaje inglés. Es un placer recomendarla como instructora en el aprendizaje de la lengua inglesa. No cabe duda que el aprendizaje de un nuevo idioma puede ser complicado, pero con la ayuda de Elisa se facilitará el dominio del idioma inglés.”
Edmundo M., Mexico
“While in private practice, Elisa was an outstanding advocate and effective, respected counselor for many clients in a variety of litigation matters. She is a well-known expert in insurance law, including the often complex interplay of insurance in the context of bankruptcy. Her communication and writing skills are excellent. She mentored more junior attorneys thoughtfully, responsively and patiently.”
Kathy M., New York