Shifts in telecom, cloud, and data infrastructure put legal teams under pressure to keep pace with the business while handling disputes across jurisdictions, systems, and stakeholders. At Lumen Technologies, this dynamic plays out daily in litigation, discovery, and operational decisions. Vann Ellerbruch, Senior Attorney, operates at this intersection, where legal analysis informs business decisions. He helps teams act with clarity as cases progress and data moves through the enterprise.
“I’ve always gravitated toward roles where complex systems, problem-solving, and public impact come together,” Vann says. At Lumen, a global technology and telecommunications company that connects people, data, and applications through network, security, and cloud services, this focus has shaped his approach to in-house practice. “The opportunity to serve as both a legal advisor and a strategic partner within a large-scale organization truly appealed to me,” he continues.
Path to in-house
Vann started his career in environmental work and public service, formed by environmental restoration projects. “During college, I spent time on environmental restoration initiatives, which showed me how regulation, science, land use, and day-to-day operations all come together,” he says. During a response to a diesel spill in rural Wisconsin, fuel leaked into a stream, and helping to contain it and restore the river was meaningful. “Seeing how much people cared about the river and its wildlife moved me deeply,” Vann says.
Law school built on that foundation. He focused on environmental and natural resources law and joined a clinic representing a Native American tribe in a dispute with a pipeline developer. “That experience highlighted how environmental law can affect people’s lives in real ways,” he says. It also influenced how he approaches legal work more broadly. “You’re not just reading statutes and cases; you’re weighing science, economics, public policy, operational realities, and long-term outcomes,” he adds.
After graduation, he joined the Colorado Attorney General’s Office as a legal fellow, handling cases and investigations with a public dimension. “I learned how to analyze disputes, manage investigations, and work through matters that needed a public focus,” he says. The experience reinforced discipline around facts and process. “It taught me the value of careful investigation, clear judgment, and responsible stewardship of information,” he says.
He moved in-house soon after. “I decided to go in-house because I wanted to be part of the business, to spot issues early, and to help shape outcomes before disputes escalated. That closeness to decision-making was appealing then, and it still is,” Vann explains.
Litigation as an enabler
At Lumen, Vann handles a variety of litigation, including corporate, consumer, and environmental, along with property disputes. He also heads the eDiscovery practice for Lumen. The job requires turning risk into guidance that teams can act on. “In-house practice has changed. Litigation support isn’t just about reacting to claims or minimizing exposure after the fact. It’s about helping the business act with confidence, earlier in the process,” he says.
That shift shapes how he structures his work. “It means translating legal risk into practical guidance, finding clear paths through discovery and resolution, and recommending approaches that make things easier for internal teams,” Vann notes. His approach relies on fundamentals. “Every matter is different, but the core disciplines remain: understand the facts, identify decision-makers, clarify risks, and build a strategy that’s sound on the law and workable in practice,” he adds.
His public-sector experience still informs that mindset. “I try to understand not just the dispute, but the broader business context, the available options, and the downstream impact of each decision,” he says.
Modernizing discovery
A key focus for Vann is eDiscovery, where large volumes of data and litigation demand shape costs and timelines. He has introduced new tools and vendors while highlighting framework design. “Technology adoption in eDiscovery starts with defensibility – the ability to justify every step to a court. Tools can drive efficiency, but only if implemented transparently, with strong governance, and in alignment with legal and ethical obligations,” he observes.
He evaluates tools against clear criteria. “Does it improve accuracy? Does it support proportional and cost-effective discovery? Can we explain it clearly? And is the surrounding approach sound?” Vann says. In complex disputes, he highlights reliability. “The most valuable technology isn’t just fast; it is rigorous, disciplined, and integrated into a workflow that maintains trust and compliance at every stage,” he points out.
His focus on modernization is rooted in experience. “At Lumen, I’ve seen eDiscovery either consume a legal team’s time or become a lever for more strategic work,” Vann notes. He has watched analytics shift outcomes. “The right workflows and analytics can narrow issues, reduce costs, and allow attorneys to focus on judgment,” he adds. Getting there requires buy-in across the organization. “I show practical benefits, build cross-functional support, and ensure improvements are sustained,” he shares.
Teams and trust
Cross-functional relationships support litigation strategy. Vann collaborates with teams across IT, finance, and operations. “An effective litigation strategy starts with strong internal relationships. I work to build those connections before a crisis so that when issues come up, we already have a foundation and a way of working together,” he says.
That approach depends on clear communication. “It’s about being clear about what legal needs, understanding operational pressures, and finding solutions that work,” Vann says. When people see legal as a partner that helps solve problems responsibly, collaboration becomes more effective. “If the legal team is seen as part of the solution, you get honesty, speed, and better outcomes,” he says.
His leadership style reflects the environments that formed him. “I’ve learned from environments where the work was mission-driven, and facts truly mattered,” Vann reflects. He focuses on consistency. “Credibility builds over time through preparation, accountability, and follow-through,” he continues.
That philosophy informs his approach to mentorship. “I focus on three things with junior lawyers: intellectual honesty, ownership, and judgment. Be rigorous with facts, and speak up when you need more information. Own your work and understand how it fits into the broader strategy. Remember that strong lawyering means showing judgment under pressure, not just having knowledge,” he advises.
That advice comes from personal experience. “I was given responsibility early on, which influenced my development. Now I aim to give others that same balance of support and autonomy,” he adds.
Success in his role has evolved. “Early in my career, success meant managing the details, meeting deadlines, and delivering strong work,” Vann says. Today, it looks different. “Now, success is about resolving disputes efficiently, building systems that help with future matters, and serving as a trusted advisor rather than just reacting to problems,” he says. He also values less visible outcomes. “A well-managed risk or a streamlined method can be just as important as a visible result,” he says.
Looking ahead, he wants to expand his impact. “Over the next year, I plan to deepen my work in complex litigation strategy and keep modernizing eDiscovery processes. I’m drawn to challenges that stretch my judgment and to building systems and partnerships that make the legal function more effective,” he concludes.
Working with Vann is a rewarding experience. He is smart, thoughtful, diligent and responsive. He asks the questions that need to be asked and provides the guidance required to effectively move the legal matters he supervises forward. His strategic thinking is always helpful as we collaborate with him to align our approach to each matter with Lumen’s legal and business goals.
David L. Isabel, Chair, Environmental Practice, Trenk Isabel Siddiqi & Shahdanian P.C
