Navigating the Shifting Landscape of Restrictive Covenants in the Insurance Industry

Panel Presentation
January 23 | 1:30 – 2:30 PM

Producer and employment contracts, Network Agreements, M&A transactions will all be impacted by The Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) proposed ban on non-compete agreements. Various states are proposing legislation that would severely limit restrictions as well. Our panel of legal experts will discuss issues with the greatest impact for networks and agent members and provide guidance on how best prepare for these changes. A robust Q&A is planned to answer your operational questions.

Takeaways from this discussion include:

Overview of current enforceable Federal and State laws
Where legislation is heading in the near future
Strategies for developing new contracts and restructuring existing contracts
M&A implications when assuming existing contracts
When legal review of contracts should be considered
Key take-aways to ensure your contracts are current and enforceable

Diana Estrada, Wilson Elser

Diana Estrada serves as deputy regional managing partner of Wilson Elser’s Los Angeles office. She represents employers in a wide variety of employment-related matters, including both defense of litigation and counseling regarding legal compliance. Diana is a member of the American Bar Association’s Labor & Employment Equal Opportunity Committee, which concerns itself with significant developments in employment discrimination law.

Amanda K. Monroe, Michelman & Robinson, LLP

Amanda K. Monroe is a senior associate in M&R’s Los Angeles office and member of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. A seasoned litigator, Amanda is best known for her work defending single plaintiff and collective actions (class action and PAGA claims) involving alleged wage and hour violations. In these cases—venued in state and federal courts across the U.S., as well as at mediation and arbitration—Amanda has compiled an extraordinary record of victories. In addition, she litigates a range of other employment-related disputes and handles administrative matters before the California Labor Commissioner, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Mike Strakhov, Live Oak Bank

As executive director of insurance lending at Live Oak Bank, Mike Strakhov educates agency owners and organizations on financing options, helping them prepare for acquisitions and perpetuation transactions. Since the insurance lending team was formed in 2015, Live Oak has lent more than $100 million to the insurance industry. Strakhov was instrumental in the formation of the Insurance Networks Alliance, an industry group created to promote and improve relationships among networks, carriers and other industry partners.

Prior to joining Live Oak, Strakhov was a branch vice president of CNA in Ohio. Before that, he held management responsibilities for Alabama and Mississippi at Chubb and served as interim CEO and managing director of field operations with a top 50 brokerage.