Ellen Kozak

Ellen M. Kozak, May 2, 1944 - August 27, 2025 Ellen M. Kozak, copyright attorney and author, passed away on August 27, 2025, not long after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Born at the Fort Jackson Army Hospital near Columbia, SC, Ellen moved home to Milwaukee with her mother after her father was deployed to Europe during WWII. When the family was reunited in Milwaukee, three siblings followed. Ellen graduated from Washington High School and received her undergraduate degree at Barnard College. She was then one of four women to earn a JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 1969. In private practice for several years, Ellen eventually specialized in copyright and publishing law, often lecturing on the topics. She published many articles and authored three nonfiction books (From Pen to Print: The Secrets of Getting Published Successfully, Every Writer's Guide to Copyright and Publishing Law, and The U.S. Constitution Book) and two science fiction novels under the pen name Jared Comstock. Extremely well-read, especially in science fiction, Ellen wrote Star Trek fan fiction that many still remember fondly. Ellen walked into the John F. Kennedy campaign headquarters in downtown Milwaukee when she was 16 years old, the start of many years of volunteering with the Wisconsin Democratic Party. She maintained lifelong friendships from high school, college, law school, her volunteer work and the Star Trek world. Ellen provided a loving home to seven rescue dogs, a cat she found injured in the gutter near her house, and a love bird that landed on top of her parked car. She always maintained animals knew when her vacancy light was flashing. Predeceased by her parents, Sidney and Gertrude Kozak, Ellen is survived by her siblings June Kozak Kane, Warren Kozak, Carla Kozak (John Wiencke), two nephews, a niece, a great niece and nephew, and many cousins and loyal friends. Her family extends their gratitude for the excellent care Ellen received at the Ovation Jewish Home and Care Center and from Horizon Hospice. Graveside services 10 am Friday, August 29, 2025 at Second Home Cemetery, 3705 S 43 St, Milwaukee. Memorial contributions to MADACC.org/Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission are appreciated.