ELIZABETH M. CRISTOFARO
concentrates in the defense of professionals (lawyers, directors & officers, accountants, nurses, physical therapists, physicians and nursing homes) and in high exposure and complex general liability claims, including product liability and environmental claims, before state and federal trial and appellate courts. Ms. Cristofaro provides counsel and direct representation to insurers regarding coverage issues and bad faith claims. Ms. Cristofaro was admitted to practice in the Connecticut courts in 1984 having graduated from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Ms. Cristofaro attended Wellesley College graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Italian in 1981. She was the valedictorian graduate of Plainville High School, Plainville, Connecticut.

Ms. Cristofaro has tried to conclusion an average of three jury cases each year since 1984. She has also tried many non-jury cases and presented evidence in private arbitration hearings. Ms Cristofaro has tried cases involving claims against attorneys in failed corporate dealings. During her legal career, she has successfully defended (1) a suit against a condominium board of directors for breach of fiduciary duty for the mismanagement of expenditures and funds; (2) a case against an attorney alleging claims of malpractice and ERISA violations in the creation of a spin-off corporation and the roll over of a defined benefit pension plan; (3) a claims against an otolarygologist for hearing loss after implanting an in the canal hearing aid; (4) a claim against a registered nurse brought by the Department of Public Health for negligence and carelessness in exercising her duties; and (5) a wrongful death claim against a psychiatrist.

Ms. Cristofaro is a frequent speaker at DRI conferences on issues involving the defense of attorneys. She has also published numerous articles and cases summaries dealing with the defense of attorneys with such topics as the Noerr-Pennington doctrine and the doctrines evolving to extend the statute of limitations in legal malpractice cases.

Ms. Cristofaro has been actively involved in DRI and from October 2003- October 2005 has served as Chair of the Professional Liability Committee, which serves to educate the legal and insurance community on important and current issues concerning claims against non-medical professionals, such as attorneys, real estate agents, insurance agents and brokers, clergy, educators and accountants. Prior to her position as Chair, she served as Vice Chair (October 2001- October 2003) and Publications Editor (January 1997 to October 2001). Ms Cristofaro is a member of the Professional Liability Underwriters Society.

Ms. Cristofaro has been selected a Connecticut Super Lawyer for 2006 in the area of Professional Liability Defense. Super Lawyers represent 5% of the practicing attorneys in Connecticut and are considered among the best in their professions. Connecticut Super Lawyers are selected by their peers in an extensive nomination and polling process conducted by Law & Politics and published in the February 2006 issues of Connecticut Magazine and Connecticut Super Lawyers Magazine.