Regulatory Law and Insurance Products and Employee Benefit Plan and Advice
DO&CB lawyers have specialized knowledge of regulations pertaining to individual and group life, health, and disability products and group annuity products, many of which are subject to securities law and regulation. The firm’s lawyers have represented insurers in connection with various regulatory issues including matters before the Department of Insurance in New Jersey and New York, contested regulatory matters before administrative bodies and in court, insurance rate matters, insurance-related tax disputes, and blind inquiries. One of the firm’s attorneys, Jim Lenaghan, is the Director of the New Jersey Life and Health Guaranty Association and thus has experience with regulators and the FDIC.
DO&CB is uniquely positioned to provide advice and support with respect to financial products marketed and delivered nationwide. For example, in connection with the development of new products as well as existing products, the firm routinely advises insurance clients on each jurisdiction’s requirements as to contract and certificate language and filing, and the extra-territorial application of those requirements, approval, group identity, advertising, pre-existing conditions, outline of coverage, “free-look” periods, portability, continuation and conversion, and disclosures. The firm further reviews particular products and advises on whether the product complies with the substantive regulations in each jurisdiction, nationwide. The firm also provides advice as to various related issues, such as the advertisement of insurance products.