Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Described as ‘highly responsive, very experienced and a pleasure to deal with,’ Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s insurance transactional and regulatory practice is renowned for its handling of significant M&A, capital markets, and ILS/alternative risk transfer transactional matters within the insurance industry. The practice boasts a unique strength in alternative risk transfer reinsurance cessions, catering to both risk sellers and buyers. Co-headed by Alexander Dye and John Schwolsky in New York, the practice focuses on M&A, capital markets insurance transactions, and the restructuring of troubled insurers, alongside demutualization transactions. Other key figures in the New York practice include corporate and securities law specialist Michael Groll, reinsurance transactions expert Elizabeth Bannigan, and Allison Tam, co-chair of the insurance regulatory group, renowned for her strong national and international restructuring transaction expertise. Kara Baysinger, based in San Francisco, serves as co-chair of the firm’s insurance regulatory and insurtech groups, representing national and international insurance and reinsurance companies, insurtech, and technology companies on a wide array of regulatory, compliance, and strategic matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Willkie Farr’s insurance industry practice led by John Schwolsky is quite simply best in class in all respects. This team, and in particular, John, combines first rate expertise in securities regulation with international US and US state insurance regulation, mergers and acquisitions services, and industry lore and insights in a way unmatched by their competitors. Simply put, John is the best in the world and what he does.’
‘The WFG US team is extremely competent, highly responsive, very experienced and a pleasure to deal with. The team led by David Luce is well resourced with new associates being brought on who are increasingly able to handle complex matters in a timely and professional manner.’
‘I have worked with the Willkie noncontentious insurance practice group for many years. They are, in my view, unquestionably the best firm I have worked with in this area. They are highly experienced, very smart, client-service oriented, business savvy, sensitive to client legal fee considerations, quite responsive and easy to work with. They are in great demand with respect to insurance transactional work, and it is easy to understand why. I would enthusiastically and unconditionally recommend them to anyone seeking highly capable legal counsel in this area of the law.’
‘John Schwolsky, the partner who heads this practice area at Willkie, is an absolute standout. I have relied on his judgment and counsel for many years, have worked with him to resolve the most challenging legal issues, and value both his deep experience and pragmatic bent. He makes sure that the rest of his team is reliably strong and always available to help. If there is a better lawyer in this area, I haven't met him or her.’
‘Has deep bench strength in insurance and financial services M&A. Very adept at recommending practical solutions to deal issues and structuring.’
‘Alex Dye provides great advice and because he is involved in so many insurance transactions are fantastic source for what is market.’
‘WFG is best in class in advising on the insurance market. They have a breadth and depth that makes them a go-to firm for us. ’
‘The depth of knowledge and experience is significant and results in advice that is on point and practical.’

Key clients

Alleghany Corporation
Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd
Aquiline Capital Partners
Assured Guaranty
California State Automobile Association
CNO Financial
CVS/Aetna
Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company
Delaware Life Insurance Company of New York
eHealth
Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
First American Financial Corporation
FIS
FTV Capital
General Motors/OnStar Insurance
Generali
KKR & Co.
Metromile
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co.
Mutual of Omaha
Nationwide
New York Life
Next Insurance
NORCAL Mutual
Protective Life Corporation
QBE Insurance
Rhino Insurance
Sixth Street
Spinnaker Insurance Company
Stone Point Capital
Telenav
TigerRisk Partners LLC
Travelers
Truist Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Trupanion
Velocity Risk
Versant Health
Volante Global
Voya Financial, Inc.
W.R. Berkley Corporation

Work highlights

Advised Alleghany Corporation in its acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway for approximately $11.6 billion.
Advised Prudential Financial, Inc. on its agreement to reinsure a $12.5 billion guaranteed universal life block with Somerset Re.
Advised Warburg Pincus in the launch of Prismic Life Reinsurance, Ltd. with Prudential Financial, Inc.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.