The late-December deal which has American International Groupselling Hartford Steam Boiler to Munich Re Group is the biggestrecent deal in dollar terms to hit the specialty sector, but brokerdeals outnumbered insurer deals by count so far.

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Details of some of the deals announced from December to lateJanuary involving Markel, e-Risk, Rockwood, CRC and others are setforth below, including sales, mergers and start-ups.

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American International Group will sell Hartford Steam Boiler toMunich Re Group in a deal worth more than $700 million–close to$450 million less than the carrier paid for the company in2000.

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The New York-based insurer AIG said in late December that itwould sell HSB Group Inc, the parent company of The Hartford SteamBoiler Inspection and Insurance Company, to Munich, Germany-basedMunich Re for $742 million in cash, including the assumption of $76million of outstanding HSB capital securities.

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The deal is $458 million less than the $1.2 billion AIG paid forthe company back in 2000, when then Chairman Maurice Greenbergexplained the rationale for the purchase as, “The moon and thestars were in the right orbit.”

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AIG is under pressure to sell off assets of the company to repaya more than $60 billion federal government bailout loan it agreedto in order to keep itself in business as it dealt with the falloutfrom the subprime crisis.

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HSB, headquartered in Hartford, Conn., provides machinery andplant and equipment breakdown insurance, inspection, certificationand engineering consulting services.

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The deal is expected to be completed near the end of the firstquarter of next year, Munich Re said, and is subject to regulatoryapproval in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

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Munich Re said it would purchase the company utilizing internalresources that do not affect the insurer's share buybackprogram.

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“This acquisition of HSB is a perfect fit for our U.S.strategy,” Peter R?der, Munich Re board member responsible for U.S.business, said in a statement. “It is another step in developingour position in high return specialized niche segments. This is oneof the declared aims of our 'Changing Gear' program for profitablegrowth.”

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He added that the specific business model offered by HSB andsimilar specialty insurers helps reduce the volatility oftraditional reinsurance business.

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“Munich Re offers HSB new opportunities to grow our businessprofitably and expand our offerings in North America globally,”said Douglas G. Elliot, president and chief executive officer ofHSB Group.

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Paula R. Reynolds, vice chairman and chief restructuring officerfor AIG, said the HSB sale indicates “AIG's restructuring effort isgaining momentum.”

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She added that the transition should be seamless for HSB agents,customers and employees.

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In a presentation explaining the rationale for the deal, MunichRe called it an “ideal strategic fit,” noting the risk managementapproach and product know-how of HSB closely relates to Munich Re'sreinsurance business.

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The company went on to explain that the specialty business is “anatural evolution” of its own business model, offering specializedproducts and services.

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The deal also helps with Munich Re's U.S. market strategy to“develop client strategies and reinsurance solutions” and establisha “dominant position in the U.S. specialty business.”

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Other positives of the deal for Munich Re are HSB's continuedtop-line growth and its underwriting performance that has stood atan average of 73.8 combined ratio since 2003.

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Munich Re said HSB will operate as a subsidiary of Munich ReAmerica. The company plans to maintain HSB's business model,keeping its brand and retaining the management team.

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Back-office functions previously carried out by AIG will now beassumed by Munich Re America, where the company expects the onlycost savings in the deal.

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The company also expects to expand HSB's business throughselling specialized Munich Re products and growing the company'sinternational business through the Munich Re footprint.

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In an interview on CNBC's “Squawk Box,” Edward Liddy, AIG'schairman and CEO, said the entire deal would be worth around $825million, but sidestepped the issue over whether the company wasmaking less on the deal than it had originally paid for HSB saying“it's a lot more complicated than that.”

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Commenting on the deal, Bruce Ballentine, an analyst withMoody's Investors Service called it a “small step forward in thedivestiture plan for AIG,” noting that it is a difficult market forselling businesses based on the weak economy and the limitedavailability of credit for potential buyers of any business. Hecalled Munich Re a strong buyer who brings a good strategic fit forHSB. (Reported by Mark Ruquet)

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Richmond, Va.-based Markel Insurance Company, a division ofMarkel Corp., announced that on Dec. 31, 2008 it acquired theproperty and casualty insurance renewal rights of Child WelfareInsurance Services.

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The company did not disclose financial terms for acquiring thefirm which provides insurance, risk management and loss controlservices to non-profit businesses that serve the needs ofdisadvantaged children.

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Markel said Rhonda Sciortino, founder and chief executiveofficer of Child Welfare Insurance Services, has joined the firm asbusiness development specialist to expand its business withnonprofits.

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Ms. Sciortino, the firm said, is an expert in insurance and riskmanagement for foster care and child welfare business operations.Child Welfare Insurance Services has been a producing broker forMarkel since 2000.

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“I am delighted to join Markel because of their long-termsupport and future commitment to protecting people andorganizations that help children and families. Markel's reputationfor managing risk, providing meaningful loss control educationresources and expert claims handling was key to my decision,” saidMs. Sciortino.

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“Markel will continue our significant commitment to childwelfare organizations. Rhonda's expertise and experience in thisimportant social services niche adds value to our policyholders andretail producers. We will provide additional resources to grow thisbusiness,” said Britton L. Glisson, president and chief operatingofficer of Markel Insurance Company.

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“Underwriting will continue from the Richmond, Va., and Alameda,Calif., offices of Markel Insurance Company, and we are excitedabout Rhonda developing producer and industry relationshipsnationwide,” said Thomas K. Smith, vice president of Marketing.

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In early January, Houston, Texas-based HCC Insurance Holdings,Inc. announced that it acquired VMGU Insurance Agency, anunderwriter of the lumber, building materials, forest products andwoodworking industries.

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HCC said the acquisition will further extend HCC's reach in thespecialty commercial package insurance market.

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Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, VMGU is the only lumber andwood products underwriter that operates on a national basis in all50 states, HCC said.

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VMGU is headed by President Richard D. Hayes, who will remainwith the operation. VMGU, which is expected to write approximately$20 million in gross written premium in 2009, will become part ofHCC's Professional Indemnity Agency subsidiary.

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Wilmington, Del.-based Rockwood Programs, the wholesalebrokerage and managing general agency, announced it in earlyJanuary that it has partnered with Modern Insurance, theMiami-headquartered retail agency, to establish a new subsidiarycompany.

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The new enterprise–named Modern Insurance Consultants, LLC–willfocus on Modern's core expertise of errors and omissions insurancefor insurance agents, insurance companies and miscellaneousprofessional liability classes.

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“We feel this new arrangement capitalizes on the uniquestrengths of each partner,” said Rockwood President GlennClark.

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Mark Lann, Modern's president, and his team have “a proven trackrecord of success in the E&O arena,” noted Mr. Clark.

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He added that Rockwood Programs possesses the markets,distribution outlets and legal status to transact business on anational scale.

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“Our aggregated resources will be used to bolster our businessrelationship with two key groups–Target Markets and the StrategicIndependent Agent's Alliance (SIAA) members. The partnership willalso benefit the P&C agent retail community, as we will be ableto offer a wider array of pricing and coverage term options,” saidMr. Clark.

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Mark Lann will serve as the president and chief executiveofficer of the new entity. The operation will be located inHomestead, Fla.

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Mr. Lann explained, “For some time now, we have been looking toaffiliate ourselves with a larger agency. To accomplish this goal,we retained the services of Mystic Capital Advisors Group LLC. Theyhelped identify Rockwood as a potential partner and have advisedboth parties on all aspects of the merger. We are excited to be apart of this new enterprise.”

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More information about Modern Insurance Consultants, LLC isavailable by contacting Mr. Clark at 800-558-8808 [email protected]

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E-Risk Services has completed a management buy-out from WachoviaCorporation on the same day the bank was acquired by SanFrancisco-bank Wells Fargo & Company, the firm announced onJan. 2.

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Terms of the E-Risk deal were not released.

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Paul Tomasi, president of the Flanders, N.J.-based onlinemanaging general agency said E-Risk is very optimistic about itsfuture in its niche. “We feel very good about our growth potentialgoing forward,” Mr. Tomasi said. “We will be able to operate andcontrol our destiny. We are very excited about this.”

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E-Risk provides an online suite of management liabilityinsurance products for privately held and not-for-profitorganizations through its “Business and Management (BAM)” packageof products. The MGA writes about $90 million in premium.

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Founded in 1998, E-Risk was acquired by Wachovia in 2002 andremained a division of the bank until yesterday, Mr. Tomasiexplained.

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He said E-Risk management was in discussion with Wachovia forabout a year, long before the merger talks began between the bankand Wells Fargo. Mr. Tomasi added that there was a feeling at thetime that E-Risk was not a strategic fit for Wachovia and that themanagement buy-out made the most sense.

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The current management team making the deal consisted of Mr.Tomasi, Michael Bigger, Neil Kransdorf, Steven Dyson and NeilCoffee.

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As E-Risk announced its independence, Wells Fargo said itcompleted its merger with Wachovia, which included the acquisitionof its insurance brokerage services.

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According to Robert J. Lieblein, managing partner with Hales& Company in Harrisburg, Pa., who discussed the deal at thetime it was announced in early October (See National UnderwriterMagazine, Oct. 20, page 10), the deal would make Wells Fargo thefourth largest broker in the country with about $1.7 billion ininsurance revenue and 213 offices throughout the country.

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In a statement, Wells Fargo said it would be the largestbank-owned insurance brokerage in the country. It also said itplans to proceed with a three-year integration plan between the twoentities.

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Discussing E-Risk's future, Mr. Tomasi said future growth of thefirm depends on convincing and educating business owners of thevalue of management liability insurance products. What manybusiness owners–especially small business owners–fail to realize isthe true value of management liability coverage. He said, notingthat the suite of products goes beyond coverage of individualofficers and directors and provides indemnification to the businessentity itself.

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The small business market share the firm is aiming at is about$38 billion, underscoring the tremendous opportunities for E-Riskgoing forward, he added.

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Mr. Tomasi said the firm has the online technology toefficiently handle these accounts. The firm will be working withthe Scottsdale Group as its issuing carrier.

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Additional information about E-Risk is available atwww.eriskservices.com.

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(Reported by Mark E. Ruquet)

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York Township, Pa.-based Glatfelter Insurance Group will acquireProfessional Underwriters Company of Exton, Pa., the companies saidin mid-January.

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Anthony P. Campisi, Glatfelter president and chief executiveofficer, and William Kronenberg III, CEO of ProfessionalUnderwriter, in making the announcement did not disclose financialterms.

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Mr. Campisi said that John Solari, who leads the ProfessionalUnderwriters underwriting team, will be promoted to executive vicepresident and chief underwriting officer of Glatfelter's PublicPractice division and, along with his team, will continue tooperate out of Exton.

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Mr. Kronenberg said, “I am pleased to see ProfessionalUnderwriters become a part of the highly respected GlatfelterInsurance Group. The acquisition of Professional Underwriters byGlatfelter represents an excellent strategic and cultural fit andwill strengthen the mutual commitment and capacity to serve thepublic entity sector.”

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Owned by its 480 employees, Glatfelter Insurance Group, foundedin 1951, is an all lines, full-service insurance broker marketingproperty, casualty, life, accident and health insurance productsand risk management services on a retail and wholesale/specialtybasis throughout the United States.

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Birmingham, Ala.-based wholesale insurance broker CRC InsuranceServices Inc. said in mid-December that it planned to acquireBurlington, N.C.-based TAPCO Underwriters Inc. before the end ofthe year.

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Terms of the deal were not released.

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TAPCO is a managing general agency founded in 1983 by Tapley O.Johnson Jr. with just three employees. It has grown to five officesemploying 175 people servicing 8,000 agencies and writing in 16states and Washington, D.C.

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The MGA specializes in high-volume, middle-market excess andsurplus insurance lines and operates regional offices inClearwater, Fla., and Manassas, Va.

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TAPCO uses a proprietary underwriting technology model and callcenter to quote and bind a high volume of business on the phone infive minutes or less, where its competitors can sometimes take daysto quote and bind similar policies. TAPCO last year provided morethan 500,000 telephone quotes to 20,000 agents and producers,placing more than $200 million in premiums, CRC said.

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Separately, in mid-January, TAPCO said its service model is nowavailable to retail agents in Washington and Oregon, as part of anational growth plan that started with expansion into Californiaand Texas in 2007, followed by New Jersey, Delaware andPennsylvania in early 2008.

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Referring to the acquisition, Tom Curtin, chief executiveofficer of CRC, said, “We are thrilled. TAPCO is the industryleader among managing general agents in efficiency, profitabilityand ease of doing business.”

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“We look forward to not only continuing TAPCO's significantgrowth but to bringing their highly efficient technology model toSouthern Cross Underwriters,” he said in a statement.

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TAPCO will operate as a division of CRC's managing generalagency Southern Cross Underwriters. The transaction is expected tobe completed by Dec. 31.

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CRC acquired Jackson, Miss.-based Southern Cross Underwriters in2003. CRC is the wholesale subsidiary of BB&T InsuranceServices, which is a subsidiary of Winston-Salem, N.C., bankBB&T Corp.

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A division of BB&T Corp. plans to purchase the U.S. premiumfinance operations of Aon Corp. brokerage.

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Financial terms were not released.

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Winston-Salem, N.C.-based bank BB&T's AFCO Credit Corp. saidit plans to buy the U.S. operations of Cananwill, an internationalpremium finance business owned by Chicago-based Aon. The deal isexpected to be completed by the end of the first quarter, AFCOsaid.

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AFCO is the primary insurance premium finance subsidiary ofBB&T, which also owns BB&T Insurance Services, an insurancebrokerage firm based in Raleigh, N.C.

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BB&T said it is the second largest provider of insurancepremium financing in the United States and the largest in Canada.The premium finance unit is part of BB&T's Specialized Lendingdivision.

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“We are strongly committed to insurance premium finance loansand this acquisition will significantly strengthen our franchise inthe United States,” said Tol Broome, manager of BB&TSpecialized Lending. “Cananwill employees share our values and ourcommon goals of providing outstanding client service and helpingclients achieve financial success.”

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BB&T said its insurance premium finance operation is made upof Pittsburgh-based AFCO Credit Corp. and AFCO Acceptance Corp.that operates nine offices across the United States; AFCO'saffiliate CAFO, which maintains three offices in Canada; and PrimeRate Premium Finance of Florence, S.C.

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In an e-mail statement, David Prosperi, vice president, globalpublic relations for Aon said, “The decision to sell Cananwill ispart of Aon's ongoing effort to focus on its core strengths of riskbrokerage and human capital consulting.”

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In its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Aonsaid third-quarter losses in 2008 in its Cananwill business, alongwith soft market conditions, offset revenue gains in the Americasoperation. (Reported by Mark E. Ruquet)

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Daytona Beach, Fla.-based insurance brokerage Brown & BrownInc. announced it had acquired R.E. Sutton & Associates LLC, ofBrownsburg, Ind.

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Financial terms were not released in the mid-Decemberannouncement.

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Brown & Brown said R.E. Sutton & Associates, with annualrevenues of approximately $1.5 million, specializes in providingemployee benefits consulting services to individuals, businessesand organizations throughout Indiana.

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R.E. Sutton, it was noted, has developed a specialty in servingschool districts, libraries, municipalities and other publicentities throughout Indiana.

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Richard E. Sutton, principal of R.E. Sutton, and his staff willoperate as a separate specialty unit within Brown & Brown,under the R.E. Sutton & Associates name.

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A new company, Mainstay Insurance Group Inc. in Bellevue, Wash.,announced its launch in early December as a program administratorand specialty wholesale brokerage.

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The firm said it will provide umbrella and excess insurancesolutions for U.S. retail brokers and focus on the commercial realestate industry and risk management needs of the greenmovement.

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“We have consistently and widely heard from our distributionnetwork that they are looking for more strategic and effectivesolutions in the umbrella and excess arena to differentiate theirpackage products,” said Dusty Rowland, Mainstay president and chiefexecutive officer.

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This feedback, he said in a statement, “is a key motivation forour new business and an area in which we have deep experience. Welook forward to providing strategic and comprehensive programsolutions that will help our retailers further differentiatethemselves and succeed in the marketplace.”

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The company said that through strategic relationships withtop-rated carriers and an extensive network of regional, nationaland global retail distribution, it will market value-added productsby way of three separate divisions: Strategic Umbrella, MainstayPrograms and Specialty Brokerage.

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Eric Arthur, Mainstay co-founder, said the firm is “excitedabout achieving greater business efficiencies and better servingour retail agents and brokers by combining leading-edge technologywith our program management experience.”

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Mainstay, he said, has selected XDimensional Technologies'Nexsure Internet agency management system as its platform foroperations and growth.

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Mr. Rowland and Mr. Arthur are both specialty insurancemarketplace veterans. Prior to launching Mainstay, Rowlandco-founded National Specialty Underwriters “NSU” and wasinstrumental in growing it into one of the nation's leading programadministrators with premium volumes in excess of $100 million.

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Mainstay said it will operate nationally out of new offices inBellevue, which Mr. Rowland noted was recently voted the #1 city inthe country to live, and launch a new company by Fortune Magazine.The firm, he said, looks forward “to tapping the highly skilledworkforce in this area to help grow our business.”

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More information about Mainstay Insurance Group is availableonline at www.mainstayins.com, or by contacting Mr. Rowland at425-453-5157 ext. 1000 ([email protected])or Mr. Arthur at425-453-5157 ext. 1001 ([email protected]

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Montvale, N.J.-based wholesale broker Jimcor Agencies Inc. hasacquired Zaloom Associates Inc. of Lodi, N.J. Financial terms ofthe transaction were not released in the early Decemberannouncement.

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Founded in 1993, Zaloom is a wholesale managing general agencyoperation writing with admitted carriers, both privately andpublicly held, Jimcor said.

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Gerald Zaloom, chief executive officer of Zaloom Associates, andseven employees will join Jimcor in its Montvale office.

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Mr. Zaloom will join the firm as president of the newlyestablished Zaloom Associates Division.

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James Mastowski, Jimcor chief executive officer, said in astatement, “With Jimcor's 20-plus years of placing excess andsurplus lines business and Zaloom's broad experience with admittedcarriers, we are confident this merger will provide our clientswith access to the markets they need with the quality of servicethey have come to expect. This transaction further develops ouralready solid brokerage and binding authority capabilities.”

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Bermuda-based insurer Hiscox Ltd. said it plans to expand itsoffices to several cities in the United States and will increaseits offerings of specialty insurance.

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Hiscox said that in addition to its existing offices in Armonk,N.Y.; Manhattan; Chicago; Geneva, Ill.; and San Francisco, thegroup plans to have established offices in Lexington, Ky.; Boston;Kansas City, Mo.; Miami; and Los Angeles by the end of 2009.

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In the United States Hiscox's terrorism, media and technology,small ticket director, officers and equine teams are beingstrengthened with 10 key appointments.

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Hiscox said it plans to set up new lines in property,construction and inland marine insurance. The company will alsoenhance the service it currently provides to the Latin Americankidnap and ransom market with a new team based in Miami.

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Bronek Masojada, chief executive, said in a statement that “thetide is continuing to turn in our favor. The changing insurancemarket has presented us with a number of excellent opportunitiesparticularly in the [United States] and we are enhancing our localexpertise to take full advantage.”

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Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd announced therecent opening of two new Allied World U.S. offices in California,located in Costa Mesa and Los Angeles.

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The Bermuda company said these offices were opened to expanddistribution of Allied World's specialty products throughout theWestern region of the United States, and to affirm Allied World'songoing commitment to service and innovation.

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Bobby Bowden, Allied World U.S. executive vice president,marketing/ business Development & Western Regional manager,will oversee Allied World's West Coast operations, including thetwo new offices and the existing office located in SanFrancisco.

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Mr. Bowden joined Allied World on October 29, 2008, and bringswith him over 18 years of insurance experience. He spent time atAIG as well as Marsh & McLennan, working out of New York, LosAngeles and Atlanta, Allied World said.

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Mr. Bowden commented, “The opening of these two new West Coastoffices is another example of Allied World's continued commitmentto expanding our U.S. geographic footprint to get closer to ourcustomers, as well as using our significant local underwritingtalent to provide the solutions that our customers need.”

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Allied World's Costa Mesa office, located at 600 AntonBoulevard, Suite 1100, will serve as a distribution point forAllied World Specialty, a division of Allied World U.S. thatprimarily trades with wholesale broking channels. Mark Kleabir,senior vice president of Allied World Specialty, will overseeGeneral Casualty products and serve as branch manager.

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The Los Angeles office, located at 550 South Hope Street, Suite1825, will serve as a distribution point for Allied WorldBrokerage, a division of Allied World U.S. that primarily tradeswith retail broking channels. John Verhoorn, vice president,formerly working out of the San Francisco office, will head theprofessional lines team. Lana Lee, assistant vice president,casualty, brokerage, will oversee general casualty products.

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The existing San Francisco office, located at One SansomeStreet, Suite 1650, will continue to serve as an Allied WorldBrokerage distribution point, offering general casualty, property,professional lines and healthcare products.

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The federal Office of Thrift Supervision gave Hartford FinancialServices Group permission to buy federal savings banks and becomefederally regulated bank holding companies in January.

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Hartford said it was making the arrangements in an effort tobecome eligible to participate in the federal Capital PurchaseProgram, part of the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

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Hartford is acquiring Federal Trust Bank, Sanford, Fla., asavings bank, and the bank's parent, Federal Trust Company.

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Hartford has offered to “inject a significant amount of capital”into the bank to re-capitalize it, according to the OTS.

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OTS has issued an order approving Hartford's application withsome conditions.

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Hartford, for example, must consummate the transaction within 30days and must ensure that 40 percent of the savings bank'sdirectors are independent from Hartford.

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A few weeks before the announcement, A.M. Best Co. affirmed thefinancial strength rating of the property-casualty business ofHartford Insurance and the life and health business of HartfordLife, the insurance subsidiaries of The Hartford Financial ServicesGroup Inc. based in Hartford, Conn.

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The companies have a financial strength rating of “single-A-plus(Superior)” The outlook is negative.

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Best said the ratings were placed under review on Oct. 6 afterThe Hartford said it entered into a binding agreement for Allianzto provide a $2.5 billion capital investment to The Hartford,following significant realized and unrealized investment losses andother charges incurred through third quarter 2008.

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Despite concerns about losses from investments, Best said thecompany's rating reflects the fair amount of cash on hand andmarketable securities that gives it access to a $500 millioncapital facility and $1.9 billion revolving credit facility. Theaction, Best said, did not reflect the potential for the company toaccess funds through the U.S. Treasury Department's CapitalPurchase program.

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The p-c operation ratings recognize the Hartford's solidrisk-adjusted capitalization, strong underwriting fundamentals,continued core operating profitability and excellent businessposition within the p-c industry.

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Best added that these strengths are somewhat offset by thesignificant realized capital losses reported during third quarter2008, dividends taken out of the p-c companies to support the lifeand health operations and continued softening throughout mostcommercial lines, driving low single-digit premium decreases andmodest pressure on underwriting margins.

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Despite increasing competitive pressures, Best said it expectedHartford Insurance to maintain a sound underwriting performance andpre-tax operating earnings over the near term. Nevertheless, thenegative outlook acknowledges A.M. Best's concerns that continueduncertainties surrounding Hartford Life could lead to furtherstrains throughout the enterprise, should the capital marketsremain volatile or decline further.

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Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C., the high-profile insurancerecovery law firm, which lost 55 attorneys last year, announcedtoday it has expanded by merging its national practice withVentura, Calif.-based Wood & Bender LLP.

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The firm said the merger, which became effective Thursday, adds14 attorneys to Anderson Kill's group of 79 lawyers and adds aCalifornia location to offices in New York; Newark, N.J.;Philadelphia; Greenwich, Conn.; and Washington.

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Wood & Bender has represented Fortune 500 companies,construction companies and financial institutions in insurancerecovery matters since 1995, said Anderson Kill.

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Nationally, the combined firms will retain the name AndersonKill & Olick, P.C., while the practice in California will beAnderson Kill Wood & Bender LLP. All of Wood & Bender'sattorneys will continue to work for the new entity.

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In January 2008 Anderson Kill announced that 55 of itsattorneys, including 26 of 69 partners or “shareholders,” wereleaving to join the giant global law firm Reed Smith. Among thosewho left were Lawrence Kill, a partner and co-chair of theantitrust/unfair competition group, and Jeffrey L. Glatzer, thefirm-wide president and chief executive officer. Anderson Kill saidat the time that it was an “amicable departure.”

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A spokesman for Anderson Kill said the expansion shows thesuccess of a firm focusing on policyholder recoveries and having noties to insurance companies.

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Founding partner Eugene Anderson pioneered insurance recovery asa discrete practice area in 1969. The firm has represented largecorporations, governments, charities, major religious andnot-for-profit organizations, small companies and individuals.

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The firm said that in addition to securing millions inrecoveries it has worked with the nonprofit United Policyholders,filing over 250 amicus briefs that have been cited by numerouscourts nationwide, including the United States Supreme Court.

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Robert M. Horkovich, Anderson Kill managing shareholder, said ina statement that the Wood & Bender merger is a strong marriageof skills and cultures.

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“The Anderson Kill brand always has stood for zealousrepresentation of policyholders in a world in which many insurancecompanies assume they always hold the upper hand,” said Mr.Horkovich. “We are thrilled to join forces with a firm with such astrong track record whose practice, philosophy and strategies meshso thoroughly with our own.”

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David P. Bender Jr., managing partner of Wood & Bender,commented, “Combining with Anderson Kill will give us the best ofboth worlds–extended reach and resources without any of theconflicts or encumbrances that joining a large firm often entails.We are joining the best of our peers, who share our focus and ourcommitment to policyholders' interests.”

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Wood & Bender attorneys joining Anderson Kill Wood &Bender include four partners: Mr. Bender, David E. Wood, David A.Shaneyfelt and Caroline R. Hurtado.

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The Wood & Bender magazine “Enforce,” the journal ofinsurance policy enforcement, will now be produced by Anderson KillWood & Bender, the firms announced.

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Anderson Kill said Wood & Bender's tag line “Settle ForEverything” will now be adopted by the combined firms.

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In addition to insurance recovery, Anderson Kill & Olick,P.C., offers solutions in anti-counterfeiting, complex commerciallitigation, corporate transactions and securities, labor andemployment, taxation, trusts and estates, and bankruptcy.

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Anderson Kill said the merger permits Wood & Bender to offerhigh-level service in these practice areas to its clients.