Ellen has been counseling insurers and reinsurers in complex coverage disputes for more than two decades. She has served as coverage, monitoring and litigation counsel in GL, D&O and other professional liability, EPL, fiduciary liability, and commercial property and business interruption policies.
Ellen has represented many U.S. and non-U.S. insurers in declaratory judgment and breach of contract actions in state and federal courts across the country. She has litigated rescission claims, defended insurers against allegations of bad faith, and pursued contribution, indemnity, and subrogation claims. She has litigated and arbitrated numerous high-stakes commercial and business tort actions.
Tawa PLC v. Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company (U.S. District Court, District of Delaware January 2015) (avoided dismissal of $60 million rescission/fraud action arising out of reinsurer’s purchase of large property book of business).
Aon Corporation v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London (Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Case No. 06 CH 16852, December 3, 2010) (summary judgment for insurers in $38 million professional liability coverage action by broker).
Pemaquid Underwriting Agency, Inc. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd’s, London (N.J. Super. Ct., June 24, 2009) (summary judgment for insurers in $12.9 million professional liability coverage dispute).
Great American Insurance Company v. Gross, 468 F.3d 199 (4th Cir. 2006) (favorable ruling in federal appellate court on $20 million D&O claim).
Danis v. Great American Insurance Company, 823 N.E.2d 59 (Ohio Ct. App. 2004) (favorable state appellate court decision in $10 million D&O coverage disputes).
William & Mary Law School, J.D.
The College of William & Mary, B.A., English, Phi Beta Kappa
Illinois
Maryland
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States District Court for the District of Maryland
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois