Thomas M. Zurek has joined Schiff Hardin LLP as of counsel in its Insurance and Reinsurance and Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Groups in Chicago.
Mr. Zurek is a certified arbitrator for the insurance and reinsurance industry trade association, ARIAS. He has rendered verdicts in more than 10 arbitration proceedings, primarily in the life insurance industry.
In addition to practicing law at Schiff Hardin, Mr. Zurek serves as president and chief executive officer of Sargasso Mutual Insurance Company, an offshore D&O company.
“With Tom's extensive ties to the insurance industry, we are deepening an already strong relationship with an important industry sector for the firm,” said Everett J. Cygal, practice group leader of Schiff Hardin's Insurance and Reinsurance Practice Group. “Clients will benefit from Tom's counsel and experience as the demand for life insurance-based arbitrations is on the rise.”
Prior to joining Schiff Hardin, Mr. Zurek was senior chief legal counsel, executive vice president, and secretary of OneAmerica Financial Group. In this capacity, he oversaw all litigation and transactional matters, and served as president of a reinsurance management subsidiary of OneAmerica. Previously, Mr. Zurek was general counsel at American General Life Companies (now AIG).
“Schiff Hardin has a national reputation as a commercial litigation powerhouse – particularly in financial services – and I am extremely pleased to be building on this platform in the areas of insurance and reinsurance, and insurance-related arbitration,” Mr. Zurek said.
Mr. Zurek earned his J.D. from the Drake University Law School, and a B.S. in business administration from Drake University.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].