October 08, 2012

Craig D. Roswell Appointed to Task Force to Study Maryland Insurance of Last Resort Programs

• Related Attorney(s):
• Craig D. Roswell

• Practice Area(s):
• Insurance Law

Craig D. Roswell, Chairman of the Litigation Department at Niles, Barton & Wilmer, LLP, has been appointed by the Maryland Governor’s Office to serve on the government task force established to study insurance of last resort programs in the state.

The Task Force was established to study and make recommendations regarding: the potential benefits to the State from the affiliation of one or more of the State–created insurers of last resort; the potential legal and corporate structures for such an affiliation, including whether the affiliation should be accomplished through a holding company structure; the extent to which the affiliation would support or impair each entity in performing its statutory duties; whether each entity should retain a separate existence with its own board of directors or governing committees; the extent to which an affiliation would affect the State’s ability to regulate the entities in terms of solvency, rates, and market conduct; the extent to which an affiliation would affect the financial condition of any of the entities and whether safeguards are necessary to protect policyholders and other stakeholders; whether or not each entity should be financially independent and the extent of responsibility, if any, of each entity for the debts or liabilities of the other entities; the tax status of the affiliated entity and the effect of the affiliation on the tax status of each entity with respect to federal, State, and local taxation; whether the Joint Insurance Association should become an authorized insurer with a broader mandate; whether the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund should be converted to a statutorily created private, nonprofit, and nonstock insurer for automobile and other forms of insurance; whether and under what circumstances any subsidiaries should be permitted to issue dividends; and any other relevant issues or considerations identified by the Task Force

HOUSE BILL 1017 (Chapter 408) requires the Task Force to report its preliminary findings to specified legislative committees by December 1, 2012, and its final findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, by December 1, 2013.

Mr. Roswell concentrates his practice on commercial litigation, including matters involving business disputes and real estate. His practice also includes property insurance law, first party and third party insurance coverage matters and the defense of complex general liability claims.

Mr. Roswell is rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell, awarded by peer review, for the highest standards of professional skill and ethics. He has been recognized as a top attorney in business litigation by Maryland Super Lawyers magazine (2008-2012) and as a SmartLawyer by SmartCEO magazine. He is a member of the American Bar Association's Property Insurance Law Committee and the Defense Research Institute.

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