EXCESS, SURPLUS LINES AND REINSURANCE
(ESLR)
Spring 2001

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View From the Chair

By: Michael A. Knoerzer, Excess, Surplus Lines & Reinsurance Committee

I am writing this message while returning from ESLR's first joint meeting with Chicago's "REACH" group, which stands for "Reinsurance Education and Communication Hotline." This is a great organization, with members drawn from Chicago's reinsurers, brokers, and law firms. They meet quarterly over lunch to discuss issues of concern to the reinsurance community and then enjoy a luncheon speaker on a pre-selected topic. I had the privilege of speaking on the topic of "Future Exposures" and wish to publicly thank REACH for their warm reception. We were honored that TIPS Chair Mitch Orpett was in attendance to make an introductory presentation.

This first joint meeting is the opening effort in fulfilling the goal of both myself and outgoing Chair Wes Sunu (also in attendance) to establish a relationship between REACH and ESLR which will benefit the members of our respective organizations. Our next goal is for a program in the fall in Chicago which is sponsored by ESLR and co-sponsored by REACH. Anyone interested in participating in this program should contact me pronto. With the assistance of Larry Schiffer, we are also hoping to establish a mechanism whereby REACH and ESLR members can communicate to each other by e-mail to exchange information and ideas.

This spring, ESLR is also co-sponsoring a program with the Excess Lines Association of New York ("ELANY") entitled "Reinsurance in the E&S Market", scheduled for April 27, 2001 at Chase Manhattan Plaza in New York City. The Committee owes a debt to Bob Ferm for his efforts in seeing this program go forward. On May 24-25, the Committee is co-sponsoring, subject to pending ABA approval, a program in Chicago called "Old Lloyds/New Lloyds" which promises to be of interest to anyone participating in the London Market. TIPS heavyweights Mitch Orpett and Wes Sunu are taking a leading role in seeing this program go forward. At the annual meeting (Chicago again!) ESLR will be involved in two programs, one involving mediation and one involving property exposures. Details to follow. Finally, in the fall, Larry Schiffer will once again be spearheading a joint ESLR/ARIAS program, which is planned for November in New York.

If you would like to participate in any of these programs, or would like to plan your own ESLR program (perhaps some place other than Chicago!), please give me a call, I would be glad to hear from you. There's a lot going on in your committee and I thank all those members who are working so hard to see it happen. I solicit your participation.

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