Angela R. ElbertPartner/Chair EducationIndiana University School of Law (J.D., 1996), cum laude Hanover College (B.A., 1993), cum laude
Angela is chair of the firm's Insurance Policyholder practice group, a member of the firm's Executive Committee and the Secretary/Treasurer for the American College of Coverage Counsel. She counsels corporate policyholders on complex risk management and insurance issues and develops custom strategies to maximize recovery when claims arise. With over 25 years of experience, Angela has been instrumental in recovering hundreds of millions of dollars of insurance for her clients through negotiation, mediation and, where necessary, litigation. Her nationwide risk management practice spans a broad range of capabilities, including negotiating insurance with the best terms available, providing strategic assistance on the insurance aspects of complex corporate transactions, resolving financial insolvency concerns and evaluating, preparing and enforcing indemnification agreements.
With considerable experience managing insurance coverage and commercial litigation disputes before state and federal courts and arbitration panels, Angela focuses her national litigation practice primarily on prosecuting policyholder claims for a wide array of insurance lines. Angela is a frequent speaker on insurance topics and is a former chair of the Insurance Committee of the ABA’s Section of Litigation.
Her clients hold numerous, complex insurance policies, and typically need guidance to orchestrate the coverage those policies provide. After thoroughly reviewing clients’ insurance portfolios, Angela assists clients to establish necessary coverage levels and eliminate gaps that could leave their businesses exposed.
Angela’s enthusiasm for her work helps her build valuable, enduring relationships with clients, peers and industry leaders, enabling her to solve challenges and close complicated deals. Ranked in various industry sources, her clients say “she is always on top of the detail, business-focused and her experience in insurance law is terrific." - Chambers USA 2017.
Representative Matters:
- Represents international quick service food retailer in lawsuit seeking coverage for claims by restaurant workers alleging retailer and its franchisees did not take adequate precautions to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at restaurants; court ruled franchisees’ insurer had duty to defend retailer and franchisees in case that presented a matter of first impression in the jurisdiction.
- Represents international luxury hotel management company regarding coverage for business interruption losses caused by global pandemic, the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on hotel properties, and associated government orders.
- Represents and counsels clients in a wide variety of industries regarding coverage for lawsuits filed under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act by employees and others.
- Represent talc mining company in obtaining coverage for underlying product liability claims under general liability policies including in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
- Counsel to large retailer in seeking coverage under general liability policy for Song-Beverly Act zip capture class actions pending in California
- Represented privately-held window manufacturer as national coverage counsel in “bet the company” construction defect litigation which culminated in a global settlement of 60 underlying lawsuits and coverage issues with an assignment of rights for plaintiffs to pursue non-settling insurers
- Represented ticket broker in obtaining bad faith penalty and damages and insurance recovery for underlying defamation and contractual dispute
- Counsel to publicly held Fortune 500 company on negotiating successful complex coverage in place-type agreement on long-tail toxic tort claim
- Represented not-for-profit association in multimillion-dollar fraud action, including coverage claims for defamation counterclaims brought against association and its officers and directors
- Counsel to financial services company with captive insurer in Bermuda coverage arbitration against reinsurer involving underlying fraud lawsuit, which resulted in a multimillion-dollar award
- Represented large pension management fund in coverage action relating to underlying lawsuits with its former officers and directors and additional alleged ERISA violations
- Defended former directors and officers of defunct physicians management corporation in coverage action involving underlying financial fraud claim
- Attorney for asbestos manufacturer in $1 billion asbestos products and premises liability coverage action
- Counsel for large privately held company in $400 million coverage action under crime and other policies relating to employee thefts
- Represented large technology company in coverage action relating to underlying trade secret claim and advertising injury
- Counsel for energy company in multimillion-dollar coverage action relating to underlying wrongful death claims from gas explosion
- Represented publicly held Fortune 100 company in multimillion-dollar coverage action relating to underlying environmental clean-up
- The Best Lawyers in America 2022, "Lawyer of the Year," Insurance Law
- "Notable Gen X Leaders in Law," Crain's Chicago Business, 2021
- Women’s Legal award winner from the 2020 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards
- 2020 recipient of Thomas F. Segalla Service Award in recognition of dedication and service to the American College of Coverage Counsel
- 2020 honoree in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s and Chicago Lawyer’s Inaugural Salute! Women in Law Awards.
- Named among the "100 Women Who Inspire Us" at the ABA's 2019 Women in Litigation Conference
- BTI Consulting Group - 2018 Client Service All-Star
- "Chicago's Notable Women Lawyers," Crain's Chicago Business, 2018
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, recommended in “Insurance: Coverage Litigation,” 2008-2011 editions and in “Insurance: Dispute Resolution,” since 2012, currently ranked in Band 1
- The Best Lawyers in America, recommended in “Insurance Law” since 2011 and in "Litigation – Insurance" since 2023
- Named among “Women to Watch” by Business Insurance, 2013
- Illinois Super Lawyers (2012-present): featured as the cover story (2014); listed and included on “Best of the Best” Illinois Top 10 Super Lawyers (2013); Top 50 Women Illinois Super Lawyers (2013-2018); Top 100 Illinois Super Lawyers (2013-2016); and listed as “Rising Star” (2011, 2009)
- “40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch” (named by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, publisher of Chicago Lawyer and Chicago Daily Law Bulletin), 2010
- Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review AV Peer Review Rated (the highest possible rating)
- Alta May Hulett Award (Chicago Bar Association award that recognizes one lawyer per year practicing law for less than 15 years who have demonstrated the promotion of positive change and contributions to the advancement of women in the legal profession), 2010
- 100 Women Making a Difference (named by Today’s Chicago Woman), 2011
- Inspiration Award (Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law), 2012
- The International Who’s Who of Insurance & Reinsurance Lawyers 2013 & Who’s Who of Business Lawyers 2014
- Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders (Diversity MBA Magazine), 2013
- “Daily Point of Light Award” (awarded by Points of Light), October 23, 2014
- “Woman of Influence” (named by the Chicago Business Journal), 2015
- American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
- Division Director, Division IV (2021-present)
- Regional Co-chair, Illinois Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (2018-2021)
- Chair, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee ("ICLC") (2015-2018); Vice-chair (2012-2015)
- Co-chair, Insurance, Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference (2019)
- Co-chair, ICLC Women Insurance Network CLE Conference (2012)
- Managing editor of Coverage, a nationally distinguished ABA publication for ICLC (2003-2010)
- Co-chair, ICLC's CLE Annual Seminar (2008), vice-chair (2007)
- Member, ICLC Long Range Planning Committee for the ABA ICLC (2009-2012)
- Co-chair, ICLC Practice and Business Development Subcommittee (2010-2012)
- Co-chair, ICLC Membership Subcommittee (2011-2012)
- American College of Coverage Counsel
- Secretary/Treasurer, Board of Regents (2022-2023)
- Policyholder At-Large Executive Committee Member, Board of Regents (2020-2022)
- Member, Board of Regents (2020-present)
- Fellow (2014-present)
- Chair, Annual Meeting (2019-2020); Vice-chair (2018-2019)
- Co-chair, Emerging Risks Committee (2020-present) and Communications Committee (2018-2019)
- NGE
- Member, Executive Committee (2021-present)
- Member, Associate Review Committee (2015-present)
- Member, Marketing Committee (2017-present)
- Co-chair of Women’s Network’s leadership team (group devoted to promotion of business and professional development of women professionals) (2006-2011), Member (2018-present)
- Member, Income Partner Review Committee (2015-2017)
- Member, Long Range Planning Committee (2012)
- Chicago Bar Association
- Chair, Insurance Committee (2009-2010), vice-chair (2008-2009) and secretary (2007- 2008)
- Chair, Civil Practice Committee, Division III (1999-2000), vice-chair (1998-1999) and secretary (1997-1998)
- Step Up
- Chair of National Board of Directors (2014-2015); Member (2012-2018)
- Chair of Chicago Board of Directors (2012-2013); Member (2010-2013)
- Chair of Chicago Corporate Fundraising Committee (2010-2011)
- Art Institute of Chicago Auxiliary Board
- Board Member (2010-2017); Emeritus Board Member (2017-2020)
- Co-chair, Development Committee (2012-2014)
- Co-chair, Treasure Hunt Event (2010-2011)
- Art Institute of Chicago Volunteer (2003-2009)
- Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law
- Board member (2009-2012)
- Treasurer (2010-2011)
- Co-chair of Community Outreach Committee (2008-2010)
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Trial Bar)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
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