North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven has appointed an attorney without insurance industry background to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of insurance commissioner Jim Poolman.

Mr. Hoeven named Adam Hamm to the elective position that Mr. Poolman left in September to take a still-to-be announced position in private industry.

Mr. Hamm, who will take the post Oct. 22, is now an associate with the law firm of Anderson, Bottrell, Sanden & Thompson, Fargo, N.D. He told a news conference he intends to fill out the term and run for the office a year from now.

He said while he does not have an insurance background, he believes his legal background as a private attorney and a prosecutor "gives me a perfect mix to come in and serve."

The new appointee said he intends to make protecting consumers "job number one" while at the same time working to create competition in the marketplace.

From 1998 to 2001, Mr. Hamm was a prosecuting attorney for Cass County, N.D.

While working as a prosecutor, he worked on the personal crimes team and argued cases before the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Mr. Poolman since his departure has been the target of consumer critics, who noted reports that he would take a job with the insurance industry and suggested he was too cozy with the insurance industry in drawing up proposed model laws for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. He has denied the allegations.

Special Reports /

Ex-Prosecutor Picked As N.D. Commissioner

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