Into the Breach

Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Into the Breach

The first law firm podcast exclusively devoted to reps and warranties insurance and the transactional risk markets. Hosted by Seyfarth partners Bryan M. O’Keefe and Gena B. Usenheimer, each week the hosts in their unique, buoyant style, interview leaders from the industry, and explore the latest developments, market trends, and news impacting RWI and transactional risk insurance.

  1. Episode 37: Point Man: An Interview with Dennis Kearns, Chief Executive Officer, Sands Point Risk

    12/12/2024

    Episode 37: Point Man: An Interview with Dennis Kearns, Chief Executive Officer, Sands Point Risk

    Bryan and Gena welcome back the only two-time insurer guest on Into the Breach with a return visit from Dennis Kearns, Chief Executive Officer of Sands Point Risk. Topics discussed include: • The launch of Sands Point Risk • How Sands Point Risk will utilize transactional risk insurance as a flagship offering for a new full-service MGA • How Dennis came up with the name “Sands Point Risk” and the company’s brand identity • Why the Sands Point Risk team makes this MGA a special place to work • The backing that Sands Point Risk receives from Avesi Partners, a global private equity firm • Other lines of insurance that Sands Point Risk will offer in the near future • The “sweet spot” deals that Sands Point Risk is pursuing in the current market • Dennis’s favorite wine spot in Napa Valley

    35 min
  2. Episode 36: The Role of Underwriting Counsel in the RWI Process

    12/02/2024

    Episode 36: The Role of Underwriting Counsel in the RWI Process

    In the latest episode of Into the Breach, Bryan and Gena tackle a topic near and dear to their hearts: the critical role that underwriting counsel play in the RWI process. For this enlightening discussion, our hosts are joined by Sara Josselyn, a Partner at Gowling WLG, who frequently serves as underwriting counsel to RWI insurers in Canada. Topics discussed include: • How Sara’s work as a corporate attorney prepared her to serve as underwriting counsel for insurers • The launch of Sara’s underwriting counsel practice at Gowling WLG • What Sara is seeing in the M&A markets now in her role as underwriting counsel • How Sara tailors her process to meet the needs of individual insurers • The continued growth of RWI in Canada and emerging trends in the Canadian market • The movement towards shorter underwriting calls and a more efficient underwriting process • How Sara works with her subject matter specialists to deliver positive client outcomes • Sara’s favorite “secret” destination in Canada to visit

    30 min
  3. Episode 35: RWI Claims: Everything You Want To Know

    09/16/2024

    Episode 35: RWI Claims: Everything You Want To Know

    In a first for the podcast, Bryan and Gena are joined by special guest co-host Christine Kim, Counsel, Seyfarth Shaw, for a discussion with Phil Casper, Principal at Euclid Transactional, on RWI claims. Topics discussed include: • How Phil’s prior work as an underwriter helped prepare him for his current role in managing Euclid’s claims • Background on Euclid’s claims team and how they are able to provide superior client service • Why claims are the crux of the RWI product • Phil’s “least favorite” type of claim • The interplay between RWI premiums and claims paid, especially in the current rate environment • Whether claim trends are impacting RWI underwriting • Why buyers should continue to use RWI considering the amount of claims that have been paid • Phil’s favorite podcast other than “Into the Breach”

    31 min
  4. Episode 34: New Opportunities in Contingent Risk

    07/29/2024

    Episode 34: New Opportunities in Contingent Risk

    Bryan and Gena are joined by Jason Bertoldi, Head of Contingent Risk Solutions, WTW, for a discussion on new opportunities in contingent risk, including how law firms and plaintiff side litigation can benefit from this transactional risk solution. Topics discussed include: • How Jason’s background as a litigator at a major law firm and an analyst in litigation funding prepared him for his current role at WTW • A brief history of contingent risk policies • The difference between using contingent risk in the context of a deal versus a stand-alone basis • How to best utilize contingent risk policies in today’s litigation environment • Why contingent risk policies can transform plaintiff side litigation from a liability to an asset • How contingent risk policies can put law firms in the driver seat for lower costs of capital funding • What insurers need from the insured in order to underwrite contingent risk policies • Why you should play blackjack with Jason if you spot him at a casino

    33 min
  5. Episode 33: Econ 101: The Underlying Economics of RWI

    04/23/2024

    Episode 33: Econ 101: The Underlying Economics of RWI

    Bryan and Gena are joined by Randy Hein, President of Berkley Transactional, for a discussion on the underlying economics of RWI policies and the implications of these economic factors for your next transaction. Topics discussed include: • Randy’s professional insurance background and how it led him to success at Berkley Transactional • Why economic factors such as human capital and financial capital are crucial to understanding RWI policies • The breakdown of “$1 dollar of premium” and how this relates to claims payouts • Why projecting the costs of RWI claims is uniquely difficult for insurers • How retentions factor into the economics of RWI • Piggy-backing off a recent trip that Bryan and Gena took to Nashville, Randy shares his playlist favorites

    33 min
  6. Episode 32: Cyber Insurance: What You Need to Know for Your Next Deal

    03/20/2024

    Episode 32: Cyber Insurance: What You Need to Know for Your Next Deal

    Bryan and Gena are joined by Lidore DeRose, Senior Partner and Leader of Transactional Risk, Baldwin Risk Partners and Emily Short, National Director of Cyber Product, Baldwin Risk Partners, for a discussion of underlying cyber insurance coverage and how cyber insurance intersects with transactional risk insurance on deals. Topics discussed include: • How Lidore and Emily got into the insurance industry • The intricacies of cyber insurance, including the current state of the cyber market, coverage terms, compliance, and strategies to combat cyber threats • How cyber insurance intersects with RWI on complex corporate transactions • Anticipate changes and market fluctuations in cyber insurance in the future • Lidore, Emily, Bryan, and Gena share their favorite childhood computer games

    38 min
  7. Episode 31: Early 2024: The State of the RWI Market

    03/11/2024

    Episode 31: Early 2024: The State of the RWI Market

    Kicking off the new year with their first guest of 2024, Bryan and Gena welcome Megan Quail, Managing Director and Head of Reps and Warranties Insurance – North America, VALE Insurance Partners for a discussion of where RWI stands in the first few months of 2024 and what we can expect in the year to come. Topics discussed include: • How Megan transitioned from an initial career path in litigation to working in RWI • Megan’s role in forming WoTR, Women of Transactional Risk, the highly successful industry group supporting women with careers in transactional risk • The current state of the RWI market including pricing, retention, and policy term updates • The impact of new carriers in the RWI space • Where Megan sees RWI headed for the remainder of 2024 • Megan’s favorite Barenaked Ladies song

    30 min
  8. Episode 30: Transactional Risk Insurance in Asia: Market Primer and Opportunities Ahead

    09/14/2023

    Episode 30: Transactional Risk Insurance in Asia: Market Primer and Opportunities Ahead

    Returning from a summer hiatus, Bryan and Gena are joined by veteran broker Sandra Lee, Chief Executive Officer – Asia, BMS Group, for a discussion on the state of transactional risk insurance in Asia. Topics discussed include: • How Sandra transitioned from working as a M&A attorney to being one of the first transactional risk brokers in Asia • How BMS created a premier global platform for transactional risk with unique capabilities in Asia • The key similarities and differences between transactional risk policies in Asia and North America • Current pricing trends and deal activity in Asia • The growth in carriers underwriting in Asia • Geographic differentiation in underwriting transactions in Asia

    28 min
See All (37)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

The first law firm podcast exclusively devoted to reps and warranties insurance and the transactional risk markets. Hosted by Seyfarth partners Bryan M. O’Keefe and Gena B. Usenheimer, each week the hosts in their unique, buoyant style, interview leaders from the industry, and explore the latest developments, market trends, and news impacting RWI and transactional risk insurance.

Information

  • Creator
    Seyfarth Shaw LLP
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Into the Breach

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