Sonnenschein Expands National Insurance Regulatory Practice
May 7, 2008
Addition of partner, two of counsels and consultant bolsters presence in four offices
(SAN FRANCISCO, May 7, 2008) — Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP announced today the addition of four professionals to its national Insurance Regulatory Practice. Corinne Pavlis Carr joins as a partner residing in the law firm’s Chicago office, along with of counsels Christopher M. Maisel in Dallas and Carol R. Newman in San Francisco. Wanda S. Smith joins as a consultant in the Charlotte office.
“Each of these individuals plays a key role in our strategic growth plan, bringing with them tremendous expertise and experience,” said Gary Hernandez, chair of Sonnenschein’s Insurance Regulatory Practice. “Corinne, Chris and Carol are all top-notch regulatory attorneys and Wanda has invaluable government relations experience. They all add immediate value to our clients.”
Carr’s practice, which includes both foreign and domestic clients, focuses on insurance regulatory, transactional and risk management matters. She regularly represents insurers, reinsurers and other service providers in business matters and negotiations with state regulatory entities on matters of compliance and market conduct. Additionally, Carr regularly advises corporate risk managers on a variety of matters, including insurer insolvency, self-insurance, direct procurement, premium allocation/taxation, claims-handling, domestic and off-shore captive facilities and other strategic insurance matters.
“Sonnenschein is widely regarded as the go-to law firm for insurance regulatory matters, and I feel it’s a great fit with my practice, ” Carr said. “I’m thrilled to be joining forces with such an accomplished and knowledgeable team of attorneys and regulatory experts.”
Carr, a member of the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society and associate member of the Risk and Insurance Management Society, joins Sonnenschein from the Chicago office of Duane Morris LLP. She earned a J.D. degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School and a B.A. degree from Saint Mary’s College.
Maisel provides a wide range of legal and consulting services to regulators and others in connection with insurance rehabilitations, supervisions and liquidations. He advises on specific management issues, pre-insolvency planning, insolvency practices, design and implementation of rehabilitation plans, business plans, insurance run-off issues, reinsurance collections and disputes, legal and business strategies, guaranty association issues, and expert witness consulting and testimony. Maisel received a J.D. degree from University of Texas School of Law and a B.B.A. degree from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University, Kingsville).
Newman concentrates in the areas of insurance regulatory, corporate and litigation, and has substantial experience in government and regulatory affairs, legal risk control, run-off business and general corporate matters. Most recently, she served as vice president and associate general counsel for the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. She received a J.D. degree from the University of Illinois College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.
Smith’s experience includes government relations, supervision of insurance and mortgage licensing legislation, product filings, advertising, consumer and Department of Insurance complaints, and agent political action committee and market conduct examinations. She joins Sonnenschein from Primerica Financial Services, where she was executive vice president of government relations.
Insurance organizations and insurance regulatory agencies rely on Sonnenschein's Insurance Regulatory Practice to assist them in matters ranging from regulatory law to corporate transactions, class action defense to arbitrations, coverage issues to antitrust. This team of more than 100 lawyers helps ensure its clients’ success in finding solutions to the problems they face every day as insurers, reinsurers, and other regulated insurance entities.
At Sonnenschein, we are committed to providing the highest-quality legal and counseling services for all of our clients, all of the time. They include many of the world’s most admired businesses, nonprofits and individuals. Through integrated, inter-office teamwork, we help them to prosper and grow. For more information, visit www.sonnenschein.com.
Media Contact:
Melissa Anderson
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP
(213) 892-5025
mganderson@sonnenschein.com
