Elaine Panagakos is an associate in the Insurance Group. She represents insurers in coverage disputes involving a wide range of underlying tort claims, including, most recently, a multimillion dollar class action settlement of claims arising from an oil spill that occurred when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005. Elaine is also involved in the firm's efforts to promote the just resolution of toxic tort claims by presenting persuasive legal and policy arguments to appellate courts on behalf of amicus curiae.
Before coming to the firm Elaine practiced for many years as a litigator. She has represented both defendants and plaintiffs in class actions, most notably a class of plaintiff landowners who achieved class certification, and ultimately a very favorable settlement, in litigation against an electric power company. Elaine also has extensive experience in the area of contract based litigation arising from franchise relationships, and was successful in obtaining summary judgments on behalf of numerous franchisor clients.
Publications
· "The Limitations of Liability Coverage Under 'Designated Premises' Policies," The Insurance Coverage Law Bulletin, Vol. 10, No. 6 (July 2011). Co-Authors: Jonathan H. Pittman and Elaine A. Panagakos.
· "Borg-Warner v. Flores: Restoring The Rule of Science And Law To Asbestos Litigation In Texas," Mealey's Litigation Report: Asbestos (November 2010). Co-Authors: Deborah Hankinson, Elaine Panagakos and William L. Anderson.
· "Franchisees In Federal Receivership: Strategic Considerations for Franchisors," 26Franchise Law Journal 79 (2006). Co-Author: Elaine A. Panagakos.
· "Rails-to-Trails: The Perspective Across the Tracks," 70 Journal of Transportation Law, Logistics and Policy 142 (2003). Co-Author: Elaine A. Panagakos.
· "An Antidote to the Dreaded Scott Decision," 4 Franchise Lawyer 1 (1998). Co-Author: Elaine A. Panagakos.
· "Territorial Encroachment: The Burger King and Taco Bell Cases," 14 Franchise Law Journal 1 (1994). Co-Author: Elaine A. Panagakos.