Meet Ellen
Ellen Bognar has dedicated her career to helping victims of elder abuse. She is not a “personal injury attorney” who dabbles in long-term care cases! Her practice is devoted to advocating for patients and their families who have been harmed by the negligence of nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living facilities, group homes, and home health companies. She is persistent and methodical, and she thrives when doing the necessary detective work to uncover the full story in order to deliver justice for the elderly.
Ellen’s clients describe her as sympathetic, caring, and thoughtful. She knows that no two cases, clients or circumstances are alike, and treats each case with specialized attention.
Originally from Miami, Ellen moved to Charlottesville for law school. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking the mountains around Charlottesville, reading, and swimming with her young son.
Experience
- Trial Attorney, Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen (2020 – Present)
- Adjunct Faculty, University of Virginia School of Law (2017-2023)
- Associate, Michie-Hamlett, PLLC (2016-2020)
- Associate, Law Offices of Robert W. Carter, Jr. (2011-2015)
- Judicial Clerk, Third District Court of Appeal, Miami, FL
- Summer Associate, Seyfarth Shaw, LLP (2008)
- Judicial Intern, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (2007)
Bar Admissions
- Licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Virginia and Western District of Virginia.
Education
- J.D., University of Virginia School of Law (2009)
- B.A., Williams College (2001)
Honors
- Virginia Super Lawyers (2025, 2026)
- Virginia Super Lawyers (Top 5% of Virginia Attorneys) (2025)
- Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star, Personal Injury (2019)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly Largest Verdicts #9 (2016)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly Largest Verdicts #6 (2012)
Professional Affiliations
- American Association for Justice
- Nursing Homes Litigation Group
- Women Trial Lawyers Caucus (WTLC)
- WTLC Leadership Summit Committee
- Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
- Member- Board of Governors
- Member- Legislative Committee
- Member- Education Committee
- Chair- Long Term Care Section
- Chair- Lont Term Care Retreat
- Charlottesville Albemarle Bar Association
Speaking Engagements
- CLE Presenter, National Business Institute (NBI), “Demonstrative Evidence” (2018)
Maureen from Louisa
The name Allen & Allen was familiar to me from the time I was a child. I’m 77 years old and I remember at age eight or nine hearing my...
Elaine from Maryland
When my mother was fatally injured in a rehab facility, we reached out to Allen and Allen for help. Working with Ellen and Deanna was an excellent experience. They gave...
$1M Settlement for Nursing Home Negligence Case
Attorneys Ellen Bognar and Lee Appleton obtained a $1,000,000 settlement for their client who suffered a below-the-knee amputation as a result of nursing home negligence. The facility did not care...
Preventing falls in independent older adults
Falls are the leading cause of injuries for people ages 65 and up. One-third of independently living older adults fall annually, and half of their falls occur in the home....
Is your loved one receiving sufficient nursing home care?
When your family member is admitted to a nursing home, either for short-term rehabilitation following hospitalization or for long-term care, you are placing your trust in that facility and its...