John Knapp
Welcome to the 2008-2009 program year for the TIPS Corporate Counsel Committee. As Chair of the Committee, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to our Committee and alert you to some great upcoming programming opportunities. I urge you to contribute and participate to the work of our Committee.
The Corporate Counsel Committee embraces a broad range of interests for both in-house counsel and attorneys in private practice, from litigators to government affairs lawyers, to transactional attorneys. The leadership of the Corporate Counsel Committee reflects that diversity. With over 1,000 members, we are one of the largest TIPS committees.
Reflecting the diversity of our Committee, it was Chaired last year by Susan Jennings of the Life Insurance Company of the Southwest and our Chair-Elect is Sarah Sederstrom of Wells Fargo. My background is in private practice primarily in financial institution and insurance regulatory and government affairs matters. Other officers of our Committee similarly reflect our diversity.
The Mission Statement of our Committee is succinct:
The Corporate Counsel Committee is comprised of in-house counsel and private practitioners who work closely with them. The Committees goals are to educate our members on issues relevant to the corporate setting and to provide networking opportunities to all.
In furtherance of our educational mission, the Committee is co-sponsoring the following upcoming programs:
December 5, 2008 - Summit on Annuities, STOLI and Marketing to Seniors
In conjunction with the Federation of Regulatory Counsel, the Corporate Counsel Committee is co-sponsoring a program at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC”) meeting at the Gaylord Texas Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. The program will take place on Friday, December 5, 2008 from 8:30 am until 12:30 pm. Leading practitioners in the regulatory sector, private industry and outside counsel will discuss the hot topics of suitability and annuities, stranger originated life insurance (STOLI), and life settlements. Two panel discussions of respected leaders in their fields will participate in this program.
January 15-18, 2009 - Thirty-Fifth Annual TIPS CLE Midwinter Symposium on Insurance, Employment and Benefits
In conjunction with several other TIPS committees, the Corporate Counsel Committee will be participating in the Midwinter CLE to address emerging issues and litigation relating to life, health and disability insurance, insurance regulation, ERISA and employee benefits. This year’s conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency, Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs, Florida from January 15 to 18, 2009. The Corporate Counsel Committee is specifically co-sponsoring the insurance regulators roundtable as well as a separate segment on developments in the life settlement industry.
Finally, our Committee is exploring co-sponsorship opportunities for programs at the 2009 ABA Annual meeting. A program we have proposed in conjunction with the Law and Technology Committee would examine electronic information and data security.
A special emphasis during the upcoming year will be Corporate Counsel Committee member communications. In this regard, we look to our Committee Newsletter as a primary source of contact. Our Committee Newsletter Editor for 2008-2009 is Judy Burnthorn. You will be hearing from her regarding requests for newsletter articles. If you have suggestions for topics, or wish to submit articles, please contact Judy at the following address:
Judy L. Burnhorn
Deutsch, Kerrigan & Stiles, LLP
755 Magazine Street>
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 593-0688
jburnthorn@dkslaw.com
Another aspect of the Mission Statement of our Committee is to provide networking opportunities. Committee meetings will be scheduled during the TIPS Midwinter CLE as well as at the ABA Midyear meeting in Boston on February 11-17, 2009 and the ABA Annual Meeting from July 30-August 4 in Chicago. We encourage all Committee members to participate in these meetings, if possible.
We’ve also had some success in conducting regional Corporate Counsel Committee meetings either alone or in conjunction with the Insurance Regulation or other TIPS Committees. If you are interested in hosting a regional TIPS meeting, please let me know and we will assist you.
Our Committee will only be effective if the members commit to participate in it. We hope you will make every effort to make our Committee valuable to our members.
Please feel free to contact me at any time with any suggestions, comments or proposals in regards to the work of our Committee. Thank you for being a member of the TIPS Corporate Counsel Committee.
John Knapp
Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A.
225 South 6th Street, Suite 3500
(612) 604-6404
jknapp@winthrop.com
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