Bill has worked on over a thousand data incident/data breach cases along with numerous cases dealing with white collar crime and enterprise risk management. He has handled all types of ransomware, data extortion, business email compromise, nation state attacks, malware outbreaks, insider threats, amongst other items. Many of his cases have been mentioned in The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Forbes, and Krebs on Security, amongst other publications. With a background in finance, operations, and software development, he brings valuable insights to clients from multiple dimensions. 

In addition to his forensic engagement assignments, Bill has served in numerous interim management roles for organizations experiencing disruption. He has assisted companies with various management consulting assignments pertaining to strategy, operations, and software implementations. 

Bill is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)/CFF, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He has spoken at numerous events on cybercrime, risk management, and strategy/operations consulting. He serves on the board for Legal Prep Charter Schools and is an adjunct professor at DePaul University in Chicago. 

Molly McGinnis Stine is in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Chicago office and represents insurers and ‎reinsurers with cyber, technology, media, professional liability, D&O, and E&O policies and ‎risks.  She advises insurers developing or revising a variety of types of policy wording.  Molly ‎also has experience with more than 1,500 first-party and third-party cybersecurity and privacy ‎claims. In addition, she works with clients to create and implement programs and procedures for ‎cybersecurity and privacy risk preparedness and compliance.  Molly graduated from Macalester ‎College and the University of Michigan Law School.‎

John Black is a leading insurance law attorney, with over thirty-five years of experience in insurance law and regulation. A substantial part of John’s practice focuses on information security and privacy law, media liability and e-commerce and related insurance coverages. He assists insurers in drafting and interpreting insurance policies for first-party and third-party privacy risks, technology errors and omissions and media liability, and representing insurers as coverage counsel concerning claims under these policies, including claims for data breach remediation and notification, data destruction, business interruption and civil litigation and regulatory investigations involving privacy breaches. 

John speaks and writes frequently on legal and insurance issues concerning privacy and information security. John co-authored the chapter on information security in the Revised Internet Law for the Business Lawyer (2d ed. 2012), which was updated and re-published in RFID, Near Field Communications and Mobile Payments – A Guide for Lawyers (2013), by the ABA Business Law Section, Cyberspace Law Committee. John is co-chairman of the ABA Cyberspace Law Committee’s Cyber Insurance Sub-Committee. 

John is often invited to speak before legal and insurance organizations including PLUS and the CPCU. John has regularly served as moderator and panelist for PLUS Cyber University, speaking on the evolution of cyber coverage and coverage for cyber risks under non-cyber lines of coverage. 

John is a member of the Skarzynski Marick & Black LLP, in which he serves on the Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Security Committee and CISO. He is a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals and holds a CIPP/US certification. 

HONORS:
Illinois Super Lawyers, 2018 - present
Leading Lawyers in Illinois, Insurance Coverage, 2020 - present
Best Lawyers in American, Insurance Law, 2022  

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS: 
American Bar Association, Sections: Tort and Insurance Practice; Science & Technology Law; and Business Law. Business Law Section Cyberspace Law Committee, and Cyber Insurance Sub- Committee Co-Chairman 
Professional Liability Underwriter Society (PLUS), Cyber Curriculum & Designation Sub- Committee; Midwest Chapter Steering Committee, Past Chairman
International Association of Privacy Professionals, Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US)

Ms. Dworniczek began her career as a litigation and coverage attorney before transitioning to an in-house Senior Claim Counsel role in 2002. Inspired by her colleagues in actuarial and underwriting, she subsequently led large, national underwriting teams and developed a strategic focus on building and revitalizing insurance portfolios.  Ms. Dworniczek is also General Counsel for Chicago French Bulldog Rescue, a cause close to her heart.  A frequent panelist and lecturer, she is also committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of insurance professionals.

Peter Hedberg is currently Vice President of Cyber Underwriting at Corvus by Travelers, and specializes in Cyber and Tech E&O. Entrusted with leading a world-class underwriting organization, Peter leverages predictive data-driven insights to provide superior risk selection, accelerated decision-making and IT security recommendations. With over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Hedberg provides a well-rounded underwriting perspective on the most pressing risk management challenges and claims trends. Hedberg has led the charge in expanding Corvus’s cyber and technology operations across the U.S. since 2019. Prior to his role at Corvus, Hedberg held leadership roles at organizations like Hays Companies of Minnesota (now Brown & Brown) and Hiscox and NAS Insurance Services (now Tokio Marine HCC) in New York City. Peter is a Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU), Cyber Professional Liability Practitioner (CPLP), and is currently based in Orange County, CA after living in Washington DC most recently. 

Shehla Qureshi is a Claims Manager for AXA XL’s Cyber, Technology, and Media Liability claims group. Shehla originally joined AXA XL as a Senior Claims Specialist in July 2021 before moving to her current role in December 2021. Prior to AXA XL, Shehla worked at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty as the Cyber Claims Practice Leader handling complex cyber, technology and media matters for several years. Prior to that, Shehla worked at Allianz and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company handling errors and omissions claims. Shehla also worked at Lancer Claims Services in California working on errors and omissions claims. Shehla obtained her J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. She received her bachelor’s degree from Emory University majoring in History and Biology. Shehla is admitted to the California and West Virginia State Bar Associations. She is currently based out of AXA XL’s Atlanta office.  

Currently serving as Senior Vice President of Cyber at Ambridge Group in Chicago since October 2022, Amy has built upon nearly a decade of experience in the market specializing in SME and middle market cyber, technology and MPL products. She has maintained management, product leadership and underwriting roles during her tenure. 

David Molitano is Senior Vice President and Affiliate Underwriting Manager for Berkley Cyber Risk Solutions, a wholly owned operating company of W.R. Berkley Corporation. He is responsible for creating, implementing, and managing cyber business within W.R. Berkley. He is based in Boston, MA.

David has over 30 years of insurance experience with 26 of those years in Cyber, Technology, and Media underwriting. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has been quoted in many articles related to cyber, technology, and media insurance.

Prior to his current position, David was Senior Vice President at OneBeacon Technology Insurance. He has previous Underwriting and Product Management experience at XL, Beazley, Lexington Insurance, and Chubb. He has an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

David Wasson is a Senior Vice President at Brown & Brown, a global insurance brokerage with $4.8B annual revenue, where he leads a team specializing in cyber risk, professional liability, and intellectual property matters. In addition to his sixteen years of experience in both brokerage and underwriting, he holds various professional designations including Registered Professional Liability Underwriter (RPLU,) Certified Information Privacy Professional / United States (CIPP/US,) and Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM.) David earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Saint Louis University, a Cyber COPE Insurance Certificate from Carnegie Mellon University, and is a Fellow of Information Privacy with the International Association of Privacy Professionals.

Colin is a member in the McDonald Hopkins' national Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Practice Group. He is certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as a Certified Information Professional for the United States, which is considered the gold standard for information privacy professionals. 

He advises clients on best practices to prevent and respond to cybersecurity concerns, including leading data breach incident response efforts in combination with forensic technical vendors and company decision-makers, provides counsel on post-breach notice obligations in accordance with state data breach notice statutes or specific contractual obligations, drafts and coordinates the delivery of required notice throughout the United States and advises on post-breach remedial measures.

Prior to joining McDonald Hopkins, Colin was the co-founder and co-leader of the Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Service at Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, P.L.C.

Colin also represents large and small businesses across many industries in claims alleging breach of contract, tort, product liability, legal and accounting malpractice and securities violations.

Mark Sadler is a Divisional Senior Vice President in the Cyber Risk Division for the Great American Insurance Group. He is responsible for management, handling and oversight of claims that arise within Great American’s Cyber Risk Division as well as vendor management, form drafting and review and producer relations for cyber claim matters.

Mark earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the Mitchell Hamline School of Law where he was a member of the Hamline Law Review. He also earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Cincinnati and has attained numerous professional designations, including the CPCU, CIPP/US, CIPP/C and RPLU professional designations. Mark is admitted to practice law in the state of Minnesota.

Evgueni Erchov is the Senior Director of Research & Threat Intel, focused on leading a global team, in US, EMEA, and Asia related to emerging trends, and best practices to counter the impacts of Ransomware. Evgueni has more than 20 years of professional experience in application development, IT security, cybercrime investigations, computer forensics, cryptocurrency blockchain technology and cyber threat intelligence analysis/fusion in both federal and private sectors. 

Christopher Dilenno is a Founding Partner of Mullen Coughlin, focusing his practice on assisting organizations as they respond to data privacy and security incidents. He counsels victim organizations on the applicable legal and regulatory obligations under state, federal and international data breach notification and privacy laws, as well as any contractual requirements, throughout the incident, engaging forensics experts, reporting to regulators and making other third-party notifications, responding to media and other requests, and coordinating with call center, identity protection and public relations vendors. Chris also defends client organizations against formal regulatory investigations and other third-party actions that can arise. Chris is also a member of Mullen Coughlin’s Advisory Compliance and Consulting practice, helping organizations prepare for, and hopefully avoid, a data privacy incident, by conducting Tabletop Exercises, developing Incident Response Plans and Data Privacy Policies and Procedures, assisting with Risk Assessments, Disaster Recovery planning, and Document Retention policies, among other services.

Nadia N Hoyte is a National Cyber Practice Leader in the Executive & Professional Risk Solutions Practice. She heads USI’s Cyber Practice (AKA Cyber Federation). She serves as an in-house resource for all professional liability, technology errors and omissions, media liability, network security, and privacy related lines of coverage. In her role, Nadia is responsible for developing program strategy, building insurer relationships, and designing insurance risk transfer solutions. She also provides consultative services, training, insurance contract analysis, vendor contract analysis, placement, and policy administration.

Nadia has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with 15 specializing in Cyber and Professional Liability exposures.

Prior to joining USI, Nadia was the Cyber Practice Leader at a small wholesale brokerage firm. Here she focused on delivering targeted Cyber Insurance solutions designed to enhance insurance agency portfolios.

Prior to that, Nadia was a Senior Vice President at Willis Towers Watson. While at Willis, she was skilled at understanding clients’ unique needs, tolerance for risk, distilling complex information for laypeople and delivering bespoke insurance solutions.

Nadia started her career at Marsh USA, where she served in many capacities. At Marsh USA, Nadia was a specialty broker who concentrated on creating and delivering solutions for convergent risks. And most importantly finding homes for hard-to-place specialty risks.

Annmarie helps clients navigate the legal complexities surrounding cybersecurity, privacy and data management with a focus on data governance, maintenance, cybersecurity planning and policies, privacy concerns and strategies, emerging technologies, and related compliance programs. Her practice is data-centric and anchored by her proactive cybersecurity approach, which holistically prepares for a data security incident and related response/compliance issues before it occurs, and includes all related legal concerns that affect data, including data governance, privacy legal issues and compliance, and the collection, use, sharing and transfer of data. Annmarie brings a unique perspective to every engagement, shaped by her over 16 years of legal experience, including time as the global cyber attorney for a large multi-national company and running her own cybersecurity and privacy boutique law firm. This background has prepared Annmarie to be a nimble and adaptable legal advisor, and she is especially skilled at monitoring and preparing for rapid changes in the law, allowing her to anticipate legal trends and new laws well before they are set into practice.

John’s current role at CNA leads and directs an underwriting group and is accountable for business results through overall management, profitability, and business development of our Cyber and E&O market segments.

John has worked in the insurance industry for 20 years in various underwriting and leadership roles. As >span class="TextRun SCXP251309195 BCX8" xml:lang="EN-US" lang="EN-US">product, John’s development and growth has lead him in collaborating on past initiatives regarding emerging technology and the impact this has on the insurance marketplace.

John has received two insurance designations, RPLU+ and CPLP, from the Professional Liability Underwriting Society. He earned a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and Masters of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.

John is involved with the Professional Liability Underwriting Society as a Cyber Trend Advisor and sits on the CPLP committee, which is responsible for on-demand learning products in the CPLP designation program and future content for PLUS members.

Leor Kaplan is an attorney with extensive experience providing technical guidance and leadership across multiple product lines. As the Management Liability and Fiduciary Product Officer with Zurich, Leor is responsible for the development and implementation of profitable growth strategies for Financial Lines products. Prior to joining Zurich, Leor was responsible for leading claims teams at a global insurer.   

Current Responsibilities 
Ruth Kochenderfer is Marsh’s D&O Product Leader and a broker for Marsh's FINPRO (Financial and Professional lines) practice in Washington, DC. As a broker, she advises clients on the evaluation and design of risk transfer solutions that address financial and professional exposures, including directors and officers liability, errors and omissions, cyber security and privacy liability, employment practices liability, fidelity (crime), employed lawyers liability, and fiduciary liability. Ruth’s clients include publicly traded, as well as private, US and multinational clients in various industries.  

Experience 
Prior to joining Marsh in 2014, Ruth practiced law for more than 17 years as an insurance coverage litigator.  Immediately prior to joining Marsh, Ruth was a partner in the insurance coverage litigation group at Steptoe & Johnson in DC.  She advised insurance companies on a wide array of issues arising under professional liability, errors and omissions, and commercial general liability policies.  She has extensive experience in evaluating and resolving claims.  She has represented insurers in complex insurance coverage litigation throughout the US.  

Ms. Kochenderfer frequently speaks on a wide array of insurance subjects.  She has served as a chair of the American Bar Association’s Women of Insurance Network Conference, as a vice co-chair of the American Bar Association's Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, and served a clerkship with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.  

LinkedIn: Ruth Kochenderfer

Overview
Tom Judge serves many roles for the insurance carriers he represents a best-in-class courtroom advocate, seasoned risk assessor, and shrewd negotiator. He advises on various lines, but the cases on his desk are typically professional liability matters involving complex insurance coverage and bad faith actions, each with millions of dollars of potential exposure.

These often complex disputes include claims demanding millions of dollars against corporate officers and directors, financial institutions, investment advisors, hedge funds, healthcare companies, information technology providers, accountants, insurance brokers, real estate agents, and other attorneys. The professional liability allegations against them are highly sensitive, requiring Tom's careful analysis and planning to achieve the best possible outcomes.

The leader of Dykema's professional liability practice, and the co­ director of Dykema's insurance industry group, Tom has represented insurers for nearly 30 years. Clients quoted in Chambers USA 2022 note, "Thomas is extremely detail-oriented and leaves no stone unturned. He has a strong ability to break down complex issues and is one of my go-to attorneys when expecting tough negotiations."

He approaches every case with determined, strong-willed advocacy, whether he is leading the insurance company's defense or formulating a strategy with other law firms.
His analyses are comprehensive and results-oriented, from detailed coverage opinions to meticulously crafted pleadings, briefs, and mediation statements.

In the courtroom or working behind the scenes, Tom is precise and direct yet polite; he states the client's position articulately, asks poignant questions, and argues his points persuasively. Because of Tom's accomplishments and reputation for professionalism, Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business and other rankings list him among the top litigators in his field.

Kathryn Walker started with St. Paul Companies in 1999 in the Professional Errors & Omissions claim unit. She is currently Vice President of Bond & Specialty Insurance Claim at Travelers, and she is responsible for E&O, D&O, EPL, Transactional Liability and Fiduciary Liability claims for public companies and financial institutions.

Kathryn attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and the University of Minnesota Law School. She was a litigation partner at the law firm of Popham Haik Schnobrich & Kaufman, and also worked at the firm of Zelle & Larson, both located in Minneapolis, MN. In private practice, Kathryn focused on business litigation and defended securities fraud class actions and other business-related disputes. She has tried numerous cases, including jury and court trials.

Ms. Dworniczek began her career as a litigation and coverage attorney before transitioning to an in-house Senior Claim Counsel role in 2002. Inspired by her colleagues in actuarial and underwriting, she subsequently led large, national underwriting teams and developed a strategic focus on building and revitalizing insurance portfolios.  Ms. Dworniczek is also General Counsel for Chicago French Bulldog Rescue, a cause close to her heart.  A frequent panelist and lecturer, she is also committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of insurance professionals.

Jan Tourangeau is an accomplished insurance professional with over 15 years of experience in management liability underwriting, and risk management. In her current role as Vice President at Westfield Specialty, Jan plays a key role in supporting the development and execution of underwriting strategies aimed at driving profitability and growth.

Prior to Westfield, Jan served as Senior Vice President at Platinum Management Liability, where she was instrumental in launching a new MGA facility, shaping underwriting strategies, and building a robust operational framework.

Earlier, as Vice President at Axis Insurance, Jan was deeply involved in underwriting and business development across a variety of commercial insurance lines, consistently contributing to business growth and profitability.

Ron is a managing director with the Legal and Claims practice group of Aon Financial Services (FSG). In this role, Ron works closely with brokers, clients and insurers on issues involving corporate directors and officers' liability, employment practices, fiduciary, errors and omissions, cyber, fidelity, and other executive and professional liability insurance products. Prior to joining Aon, Ron was vice president and global claims manager leading the unit at Hartford Financial Products responsible for handling all financial products and professional liability claims for The Hartford. Prior to joining The Hartford, Ron was vice president, and specialty claims manager at the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies leading the department handling financial and professional lines claims within the New York, New England and mid-Atlantic region. Ron began his career in private practice in New York City where he represented various insurers in connection with director and officer and other professional liability claims.

Ron is an active member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society where he had been a chair of the content committee for the PLUS International Conference, a committee member and an instructor for the PLUS University program. Ron is also a member of the executive council, a faculty member and Dean of the School of Professional Lines for the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance where he is active in developing educational programs for insurance professionals, including risk managers and other members of the insurance industry.

Marissa Streckfus, Vice President and Claims Manager for RT ProExec, began her career as a claims specialist at Chubb. Marissa joined RT ProExec in 2017.  For close to 10 years prior, Marissa adjusted claims for Directors & Officers, Employment Practices, Fiduciary, Cyber and other Professional Errors and Omissions Liability policies. While employed with Chubb, Marissa attended the University of Connecticut School of Law and graduated in 2015. Marissa is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association. 

Sarah Abrams is the Head of Claims at Baleen Specialty, a division of Bowhead Specialty.  Baleen Specialty underwrites wholesale and surplus lines insurance policies; leveraging proprietary digital underwriting and claims platforms.  Prior to joining Baleen, Sarah was Head of Professional Liability Claims at Bowhead Specialty and was responsible for developing the guidelines and architecture of the department responsible for all D&O, E&O and Cyber claims. 
 
Sarah began her career as a litigator, working for a variety of insurers, reinsurers and TPAs as defense and coverage counsel immediately following her graduation from Chicago Kent College of law.  Within in five years of law firm private practice she was recruited to join Markel as a Professional Liability Claims examiner.  At the end of her decade tenure with Markel, Sarah was a Director of Management Liability, overseeing people managers of public, private company and financial institution teams.  

Sarah earned her liberal arts degree, major in Psychology from Duke University in North Carolina. She has been a keynote speaker and spoken on numerous industry panels.  Sarah has been published in a variety industry periodicals and publications including Law360, CLM Magazine, the PLUS Blog and the D&O Diary.

Peter is the Financial Lines Executive Claims Specialist at HDI Global Insurance Company. He is based in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to joining HDI Global Insurance Company, Peter spent several years working on the carrier side managing Directors & Officers and Financial Institution claims. He began his career as an attorney in private practice in Chicago litigating a wide variety of matters, including those involving business and shareholder disputes, insurance coverage, professional liability, and general liability.

Peter graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, Tennessee. He earned a Bachelor’s in Business from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Peter regularly writes and presents on matters such as insurance coverage, securities regulation, and professional liability.

José M. Jara is Counsel in the Employee Benefits Department of Fox Rothschild, LLP, and focuses his practice on ERISA litigation and counseling.  He has defended fiduciaries and boards of directors against ERISA class action litigation alleging breach of fiduciary duty, including imprudent investments, excessive fees, and valuation issues in Employee Stock Ownership Plans. Mr. Jara’s practice also includes representing clients under investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) regarding civil and/or criminal violations of ERISA. He was formerly a complex claims director for a major international insurance company and a senior pension law specialist with the DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration. He is currently the Group Chair of the Employee Plans and Executive Compensation Group of the American Bar Association and a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center.

Lawrence Fine is the Management Liability Coverage Leader for Willis Towers Watson’s FINEX North America division, with prior experience at law firms and an insurance carrier. He has more than 30 years’ legal and insurance industry experience, particularly in relation to Directors and Officers Liability, Professional Liability, Employment Practices Liability, and Fiduciary Liability.

Professional Experience

Prior to joining Willis Towers Watson, and after working at two law firms, Larry spent 27 years at AIG where he was responsible for all U.S. commercial D&O, fiduciary liability, employment liability and non-tech professional liability claims. For several years Larry was also Global Head of Professional Liability and D&O Claims at AIG. In his role as Claims Chief Technical Officer, Larry also helped write all of AIG’s Financial Lines policies and many endorsements which are still in use.

In his role at WTW, Larry provides Thought and Product Leadership in connection with D&O and fiduciary exposures, utilizing his voluminous experience working on complex and high exposure claims to provide unique insight to our clients. Larry provides clients with his coverage analyses, recommends litigation strategies, and uses his deep network of insurance executives, defense counsel, coverage counsel and mediators to leverage successful resolutions for our clients.

Speaking Engagements/Publications

Larry has spoken concerning directors and officers' liability, lawyers' liability, securities law, ERISA, employment and insurance issues at conferences sponsored by the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), the Practicing Law Institute (PLI), Bloomberg, Thomson Legalworks, Director’s Roundtable, the Association of Enrolled Actuaries, the American Conference Institute (ACI), Directorship/Directorship.com, the FICC (Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel) and others. Larry has been published in diverse publications, including the Rutgers Law Review, Directorship Magazine, Legalworks ERISA Litigation Conference Handbook (Thomson), Pension Plan Investments: Confronting Today’s Issues (PLI), Securities Litigation Report, The Market Standard and Analog Science Fiction/Science Fact.

Alison L. Martin is a Senior Vice President and the Fiduciary Product Manager for Chubb Insurance’s North American Financial Lines, where she is ultimately responsible for the underwriting of fiduciary liability insurance for all varieties of organizations, including publicly traded and privately held companies, not for profit companies and multiemployer plans. Prior to becoming the Product Manager in 2016, she was a leader in Chubb’s claims department for over 15 years, where she handled the most complex and severe ERISA litigation (including excessive fee litigation, employer securities class actions and ESOP suits) and D&O litigation (including securities class actions and merger objection claims.) Ms. Martin speaks extensively, educating others on fiduciary obligations and exposures and transferring risk for these exposures through the use of fiduciary liability insurance.

Prior to working for Chubb, Ms. Martin was engaged in the private practice of law and was a partner with Lindsay Martin & Associates. She was also as a Member of the Board of Governors for the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association and served on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations. She is a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Law, where she received a Law Fellows Scholarship.

Nick Landis is the Head of Fiduciary Product across all business segments for AIG Financial Lines. As the fiduciary liability insurance practice leader, Nick is responsible for the product’s strategy and portfolio management at the company, including coverages for publicly traded and privately held companies, not-for-profits, organized labor, and municipality plans. He was previously a Vice President for AIG’s Private and Not-For-Profit Financial Lines product team with responsibilities overseeing the portfolio management for the U.S. That portfolio included D&O, Employment Practices Liability, Fiduciary Liability, Fidelity, Kidnap Ransom and Extortion, and Employed Lawyers coverage. Nick has been with AIG’s financial lines team for over 20 years. He holds a B.A. degree in Finance from Villanova University and an M.B.A from Saint Joseph’s University.

Lynnie T. Jenkins, Esq., CPCU, RPLU+, ASLI, AU, ARM–E, is the Assistant Vice President/Chief Regulatory Compliance Officer/Professional Liability Product Development Manager for an excess and surplus lines commercial insurance company. Previously, Mr. Jenkins was an insurance coverage attorney in Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, specializing in commercial general liability, directors & officers liability, professional liability, and property and environmental insurance coverage matters. Mr. Jenkins also previously served as an Assistant Vice President/Client Advisor for a large international insurance broker. 

Joseph Majsak, CPCU, ARM, ASLI, is Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer for General Star Management Company, and Genesis Management & Insurance Services Corporation in Stamford, Conn. Joe graduated from Bates College in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a major in Religion. He began his career in the insurance industry in 1977 as a claims adjuster for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. Joe joined General Star in 1985 and served a variety of management roles in claims, primary and excess underwriting, and marketing. He has served in his current marketing capacity since 2008. Joe resides with his spouse Anne in White Plains, N.Y. He and his wife are the proud parents of two daughters and one son. Joe completed the Iron Butt Association 50cc Gold challenge in 2015, in which he rode his motorcycle from San Francisco to New York City in 49.5 hours to celebrate his 60th birthday. 

Deb Ropelewski, CPCU, AU, ARM, ARe, CPIW, has been involved in the Professional Liability industry since 1983. She served as a senior underwriter for two national Medical Professional Liability carriers, working with both physician and facility business before joining a major broker in 1987. She spent 19 years as a reinsurance intermediary and was with Gallagher Healthcare immediately prior to joining the PLUS staff in late 2006. Ms. Ropelewski holds a B.S. in Business from Virginia Tech, as well as the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter; Associate in Underwriting, Risk Management, and Reinsurance (AU, ARM, and ARe); and CPIW designations. She has been involved with the RPLU Program since 1993, having served as the Chairman of the RPLU Committee, and also as the Curriculum Committee Co-Chair. Ms. Ropelewski helped found and served as Co-Chair for the PLUS MedPL Symposium in years 2001-2003, and was elected to the PLUS Board of Trustees in November 2003. She served in the role as PLUS Director of Education from 2006-2016. Ms. Ropelewski also serves on the Insurance Liaison Committee for the Tommy T. Martin Chair of Insurance at Middle Tennessee State University and is President of the Nashville Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP). 

Nancy A. Zaharewicz, CPCU, is Vice President and Claims Manager – Healthcare XL Catlin (XL Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd). Nancy’s role at XL Catlin involves direct claims handling as well as managing, mentoring, and training other XL Catlin Bermuda claims staff in health care related claims handling and topics. Previously, Nancy was with Munich Re America, Inc. (formerly American Re-Insurance Company) handling both insurance and reinsurance claims for the Specialty Markets Division, including claims related to health care accounts of both single risk and alternative risk clients, such as captive insurers and risk retention groups. At Munich Re, Nancy was a member of the Bodily Injury Knowledge Management Team, an international group of claims professionals who disseminated information and gave presentations related to bodily injury handling to both internal and external clients. Nancy also edited the client brochure pertaining to reservation of rights letters. Nancy has handled all aspects of large, catastrophic, or complex exposures including coverage disputes in the U.S., London, and Bermuda. Nancy also held claims management positions at Chubb, Reliance National, and Progressive Insurance Corporation. Nancy is a member of the CPCU Society BSHRM (Bermuda Society of Healthcare Risk Managers), and has served on a panel for the ABA’s Annual Coverage Litigation Seminar. 

Vincent “Chip” Boylan, CPCU, ARM, RPLU, has over 45 years of experience as an agent/broker most recently as Senior Vice President of Willis of Maryland, a subsidiary of Willis Towers Watson (retired in 2017).  During his career he has held positions as a producer, account executive, commercial lines team leader, agency owner and expert witness.  He has designed and led insurance presentations and courses for insurance and bar associations and has taught numerous commercial and personal lines CPCU courses. Mr. Boylan has been an active member of the CPCU Society serving as the District of Columbia Chapter President and Chairman of the Society’s Coverage, Litigators, Educators and Witnesses (CLEW) Interest Group. His other volunteer activities include serving as a Board Member and Chairman of the Insurance Agents & Brokers (IA&B) of Maryland and as a facilitator with the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers Insurance Professional School.  Mr. Boylan currently works as an expert witness and has had over 50 witness engagements largely involving agent and broker standard of care issues. 

Ellen A. McCarthy, JD, CPCU, RPLU, is Legal Counsel and Vice President for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. Prior to her current role, Ellen was the Senior Product Underwriter and Risk Management Leader for the Lawyer's Professional Liability program.  Ellen has also served as a claims expert and claims team leader adjudicating complex legal malpractice and insurance agent E&O claims across the US, and as an underwriter for the LPL program. Ellen is a licensed Maryland attorney and former associate at an insurance defense firm in suburban Washington, DC as well as a judicial law clerk. Ellen is a graduate of McDaniel College and University of Baltimore School of Law. 

James P. McNally, RPLU+, is a Managing Director, Treaty Reinsurance Underwriter, joining the Specialty Casualty team at Navigators Reinsurance, A Brand of The Hartford, in September 2021. His portfolio focuses on commercial Casualty and Professional lines of business across numerous industries. Prior to joining Navigators Re, James’ industry experience includes ten years at The Toa Reinsurance Company, most recently as a Vice President, writing similar lines. James graduated Franklin and Marshall College with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics, and holds a master’s in business administration degree, with a concentration in Finance, from Lehigh University. His earned professional designations include CPCU, RPLU+, ARM, ARe.

John J. Pacitti Sr., RPLU+, has been in the industry for 33 years. In 1990, he started his career as an endorsement clerk with a niche market that concentrated exclusively on lumber related products. In 2000, as an underwriting assistant, John shifted toward a heavy professional liability focus on both medical and non-medical related business. Over the next ten years, John continued underwriting but began working in product development resulting in startup products in the Allied Health segment for several companies. Currently, Mr. Pacitti is Vice President of Underwriting at VGM Insurance. He manages the underwriting operations for all products and lines of business.

James Sheldon, Esq., RPLU, is an Assistant Vice President for Corporate Underwriting with Arch Insurance Group (Arch). He has been part of the Product Development Department for the past 5 years and has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience in underwriting, compliance and product development. He is actively involved with the business units he supports in designing coverage that reflects their underwriting intent as well as helping underwriters and claims examiners with coverage questions. Mr. Sheldon holds a J.D. from the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University (1991) and a B.A. from the University of Rochester (1988).  He has also earned the RPLU.

Steve Smith, CPCU, AIM, RPLU, serves as the National Program Director for the Social Services, Hospice and Home Health Care commercial insurance programs at The Cincinnati Insurance Companies.  Steve has been in the insurance industry for over 25 years and is also a licensed insurance agent.  Steve’s expertise includes commercial auto, property, general liability and professional liability.  He spends time staying on top of trends and changes within the social service and healthcare industries and delivering frequent presentations on a variety of topics including risk management and cyber liability.  Steve serves on two non-profit boards within the greater Cincinnati area that focus primarily on helping those with developmental disabilities and oversees an adult developmentally disabled softball program that serves over 120 individuals annually.  

Vincent “Chip” Boylan, CPCU, ARM, RPLU, has over 45 years of experience as an agent/broker most recently as Senior Vice President of Willis of Maryland, a subsidiary of Willis Towers Watson (retired in 2017).  During his career he has held positions as a producer, account executive, commercial lines team leader, agency owner and expert witness.  He has designed and led insurance presentations and courses for insurance and bar associations and has taught numerous commercial and personal lines CPCU courses. Mr. Boylan has been an active member of the CPCU Society serving as the District of Columbia Chapter President and Chairman of the Society’s Coverage, Litigators, Educators and Witnesses (CLEW) Interest Group. His other volunteer activities include serving as a Board Member and Chairman of the Insurance Agents & Brokers (IA&B) of Maryland and as a facilitator with the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers Insurance Professional School.  Mr. Boylan currently works as an expert witness and has had over 50 witness engagements largely involving agent and broker standard of care issues. 

Ellen A. McCarthy, JD, CPCU, RPLU, is Legal Counsel and Vice President for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. Prior to her current role, Ellen was the Senior Product Underwriter and Risk Management Leader for the Lawyer's Professional Liability program.  Ellen has also served as a claims expert and claims team leader adjudicating complex legal malpractice and insurance agent E&O claims across the US, and as an underwriter for the LPL program. Ellen is a licensed Maryland attorney and former associate at an insurance defense firm in suburban Washington, DC as well as a judicial law clerk. Ellen is a graduate of McDaniel College and University of Baltimore School of Law. 

James P. McNally, RPLU+, is a Managing Director, Treaty Reinsurance Underwriter, joining the Specialty Casualty team at Navigators Reinsurance, A Brand of The Hartford, in September 2021. His portfolio focuses on commercial Casualty and Professional lines of business across numerous industries. Prior to joining Navigators Re, James’ industry experience includes ten years at The Toa Reinsurance Company, most recently as a Vice President, writing similar lines. James graduated Franklin and Marshall College with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics, and holds a master’s in business administration degree, with a concentration in Finance, from Lehigh University. His earned professional designations include CPCU, RPLU+, ARM, ARe.

John J. Pacitti Sr., RPLU+, has been in the industry for 33 years. In 1990, he started his career as an endorsement clerk with a niche market that concentrated exclusively on lumber related products. In 2000, as an underwriting assistant, John shifted toward a heavy professional liability focus on both medical and non-medical related business. Over the next ten years, John continued underwriting but began working in product development resulting in startup products in the Allied Health segment for several companies. Currently, Mr. Pacitti is Vice President of Underwriting at VGM Insurance. He manages the underwriting operations for all products and lines of business.

James Sheldon, Esq., RPLU, is an Assistant Vice President for Corporate Underwriting with Arch Insurance Group (Arch). He has been part of the Product Development Department for the past 5 years and has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience in underwriting, compliance and product development. He is actively involved with the business units he supports in designing coverage that reflects their underwriting intent as well as helping underwriters and claims examiners with coverage questions. Mr. Sheldon holds a J.D. from the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University (1991) and a B.A. from the University of Rochester (1988).  He has also earned the RPLU.

Steve Smith, CPCU, AIM, RPLU, serves as the National Program Director for the Social Services, Hospice and Home Health Care commercial insurance programs at The Cincinnati Insurance Companies.  Steve has been in the insurance industry for over 25 years and is also a licensed insurance agent.  Steve’s expertise includes commercial auto, property, general liability and professional liability.  He spends time staying on top of trends and changes within the social service and healthcare industries and delivering frequent presentations on a variety of topics including risk management and cyber liability.  Steve serves on two non-profit boards within the greater Cincinnati area that focus primarily on helping those with developmental disabilities and oversees an adult developmentally disabled softball program that serves over 120 individuals annually.