"The Attorneys are Coming!" 2025 NCIGF Legal Seminar Highlights

The 2025 NCIGF Legal Seminar was held on June 26–27, bringing together attorneys, guaranty fund managers, and insurance insolvency professionals to explore relevant legal topics. Set in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, known for its historical significance, the event drew enthusiastic participation, marking the highest turnout for a Legal Seminar to date.

Doug Fahringer, General Counsel of the Pennsylvania Property & Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association, and Vaishnavi Arshanapally, Associate General Counsel of the Pennsylvania Property & Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association, served as emcees for the event. They were joined by Lorrie Brouse, Executive Secretary of the Tennessee Insurance Guaranty Association and Chair of the NCIGF Legal Committee, along with Katherine Bender, NCIGF Associate Legal Counsel, who warmly welcomed attendees. In a playful nod to the historic setting, Katherine Bender kicked off the seminar with a spirited proclamation: “The Attorneys are Coming!”—a twist on Paul Revere’s legendary local quote that set the stage for an engaging gathering.


 L-R: Doug Fahringer, Vaishnavi Arshanapally, Lorrie Brouse, Katherine Bender

The program first delved into the latest developments, legal complexities, and practical challenges shaping the landscape of receiverships during the ‘Hot Topics in Receiverships’ panel, while also emphasizing the importance of building strong working relationships with guaranty associations. The conference continued with a timely presentation titled ‘The Impact of Recent Developments in Privacy Laws’. The session explored the rapidly evolving topic of data privacy, highlighting the wave of new state-level legislation that has taken effect in 2025. ‘Succession Planning for State Guaranty Association Counsel’ wrapped up the morning sessions, addressing the critical importance of preparing the next generation of legal leadership within state guaranty associations. Attendees gained practical tools for identifying future leaders, fostering professional development, and ensuring long-term organizational resilience.

        Doriann Cain, Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath presents ‘Impact of Recent Developments in Privacy Laws’

The second half of the day offered panels that included discussions on statute amendments, engaging with the legislature, and the operational mechanics behind statutory updates. Additional highlights included the panel on legal counsel from local Departments of Insurance, offering insights into regulatory challenges and legal strategies at the state level. Building on earlier discussions around succession planning and the importance of nurturing long-term professional connections, another standout session focused on ‘Cultivating Kindness, Respect, and Civility in Legal Practice: The Role of Inclusion’ where panelists explored how fostering a culture of empathy and inclusivity can strengthen professional relationships and elevate the legal profession.


Local Department of Insurance (DOI) Legal Counsel panelists L-R: Barbara Law, President, GFMS; Jane Callanan, General Counsel, Connecticut Insurance Department; Bob Wake, General Counsel, Maine Bureau of Insurance and Chris Joyce, Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel, Massachusetts Division of Insurance

The day concluded with a presentation by Tom Jenkins, General Counsel, for both the Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund (IIGF) and the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA). This session took attendees on a journey through the evolution of NCIGF, tracing its growth from a modest coordination effort among state guaranty associations to a nationally recognized organization playing a vital role in the insurance safety net.

The evening reception offered a special moment with the rare presentation of the second Gates-Marchman Award given in 2025, which was awarded to Tom Jenkins. Tom’s award was presented by Paul Gulko, a longtime colleague and former President of Guaranty Fund Management Services (GFMS), alongside Tim Schotke and Brad Roeber, making it a memorable moment of recognition and celebration of Tom’s lasting impact and years of mentorship within the guaranty fund community. This is the first time in history that two Gates-Marchman awards have been given out in one year. Smitty Harrison was presented with the other award earlier this year at the 2025 NCIGF Annual Conference in Kansas City.

L: Tom Jenkins presents ‘The Evolution of NCIGF’
R: Paul Gulko, Brad Roeber, Tim Schotke, Tom Jenkins

Building on the momentum of the first day, day two proved to be equally engaging, featuring three thought-provoking panels that sparked lively discussion. The day began with a comprehensive review of recent case law developments providing critical insights into recent judicial decisions, helping the audience stay informed about evolving legal interpretations and their practical implications. The conversation then turned to one of the most pressing topics in the legal and insurance industries: artificial intelligence (AI). The guest speaker explored the rapidly evolving role of AI in legal practice, examining both the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI tools into workflows. From ethical considerations to practical applications in claims handling and legal research, the session encouraged participants to embrace AI as a transformative force—one that, when used responsibly, can enhance efficiency and decision-making.

'Case Law and CMS Updates’ with Kurt Mullen, Partner, Pierson Ferdinand (L) and Julie Young, Partner, Troutman Pepper Locke (R)


The two-day program concluded with an informative session on effective investment management agreements and guidelines, presented by experts from Income Research + Management. This session provided valuable guidance on structuring agreements that align with fiduciary responsibilities, risk tolerance, and long-term financial goals—an essential topic for those managing guaranty fund assets in today’s dynamic market environment.

A huge thank you to the Legal Seminar Task Force, presenters, panelists, and our event sponsors, Bressler Amery & Ross, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Duane Morris, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath, Income Research + Management, Pierson Ferdinand, and Troutman Pepper Locke for making this an incredibly successful event.

NCIGF will host a stand-alone board meeting in Indianapolis on August 27-28, followed by the final conference of the year, the 2025 NCIGF Fall Workshop in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 29-30. For more information on future NCIGF events, click here.