Ellen Patterson

Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel Wells Fargo

Last Reviewed: October 1, 2026

Executive Summary

Ellen Patterson has been Wells Fargo’s General Counsel since March 2020, leading the company’s global legal affairs, overseeing litigation and regulatory enforcement matters and advising on corporate governance. Before joining Wells Fargo she was general counsel of another major financial institution, and earlier a partner at the law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where she focused on mergers and acquisitions. Wells Fargo ranked No. 38 on the 2026 Fortune 500.

Career Highlights

• Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Wells Fargo since March 2020.
• General counsel of another major financial institution.
• Partner, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Professional Journey

Patterson was a partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, and then general counsel of another major financial institution.

She joined Wells Fargo as Senior Executive Vice President and General Counsel in March 2020. She is co-executive sponsor of Wells Fargo’s Women’s Connection.

Education

No first-party source read for this profile states her education.