Elizabeth Ontko
Summary
Experienced attorney with expertise in insurance law, coverage issues, first and third party claims, and trial litigation. Proven track record in defending complex cases and developing strategic litigation plans. Seeking to leverage skills and extensive legal experience to excel as Senior Litigation Counsel.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
In House Counsel
Allstate Insurance Company
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
03.2019 - 07.2025
- Managed insurance defense, tort litigation and subrogation; represented insureds and Company in defense of complex bodily injury, general liability, and property damage lawsuits; assessed legal risk and provided recommendations regarding pending litigation; attended hearings, depositions, arbitrations, and mediations; tried cases to verdict; assisted in developing training materials for Claims Department.
- May 2019 - successfully completed Allstate's Basic Trial and Communications Program
- 2020 - promoted from Trial Attorney to Senior Trial Attorney
- 2022 - promoted from Senior Trial Attorney to Senior Litigation Counsel
- November 2022- successfully completed Allstate Advanced Trial and Communications Program
- 2022-2024 - conducted yearly discovery training for paralegal staff
- 2024 - selected to serve as member of Allstate's In House Global Teams Training Team
In House Counsel
GEICO Insurance Company
Richardson, Texas
10.2017 - 02.2018
- Managed insurance defense and tort litigation; represented insureds and Company in defense of bodily injury and property damage lawsuits; evaluated cases to develop and implement strategic action plans for optimal case handling; attended hearing, trials, mediations, and arbitrations; tried cases to verdict.
Junior Plaintiff's Personal Injury Associate
The McCraw Law Group
McKinney, Texas
02.2016 - 09.2017
- Handled complex plaintiff's personal injury caseload, including first party bad faith claims, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability and medical malpractice cases; performed pre-litigation investigations; developed detailed litigation strategies; aggressively negotiated case settlements; drafted pleadings, discovery, motions and briefs; attended mediations, status, and settlement conferences; tried cases to verdict.
- September 2019 - Best of the Bar Nomination - Top 100 Verdicts in Texas 2018.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - English & Spanish
King's College
Wilkes-Barre, PAJuris Doctor (J.D.) - Law
Widener University School of Law
Harrisburg, PASkills
- Insurance legal expertise
- Cross-functional teamwork
- Effective communication
- Proactive self-starter
- Strong organizational skills
- Critical thinking
- Professionalism
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Legal research and review
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Edge, Chrome, PowerPoint, Excel, and Team Connect
- Legal analysis
- Risk assessment
- Settlement negotiation
- Trial Experience (First and Second Chair)
- Litigation management
Certification
- Pennsylvania Bar Attorney License
- Admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- Texas Bar Attorney License
Timeline
In House Counsel
Allstate Insurance Company
03.2019 - 07.2025
In House Counsel
GEICO Insurance Company
10.2017 - 02.2018
Junior Plaintiff's Personal Injury Associate
The McCraw Law Group
02.2016 - 09.2017
Juris Doctor (J.D.) - Law
Widener University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - English & Spanish
King's College