Dewey & LeBoeuf

James R. Woods

Partner

Mr. Woods is co-chair of the firm's Global Insurance Industry Sector Group, a long-standing member of its Executive Committee and Executive Committee liaison to its Silicon Valley office. Mr. Woods is general counsel to The Surplus Line Association of California and has represented numerous insurers and insurance-related entities for more than 30 years on a wide variety of issues. He also represents many e-commerce companies involved with insurance-related issues and co-founded an online insurance business. Mr. Woods has authored many articles on insurance issues.

Representing Insurers with their Rate Needs:
Regularly counsel insurers on rate case needs and strategy.
Representative clients (present and past) include:

Allstate Insurance Company rate cases (Alabama, California, Florida and South Carolina)
Fidelity National Title Group rate cases (California, Florida, New Mexico and Texas)
California Auto Assign Risk Plan
Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau
Represented over 60 insurers in California's Proposition 103 hearings

Representing Insurers with their Restructuring/Insolvency Issues:
Counsel insurers, holding companies and creditors on restructuring/insolvency issues. Representative Clients have included:

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. concerning LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. bankruptcy and acquisition of Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company and Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation
Executive Life Insurance Company
Lloyd's Plan of Reconstruction and Renewal
First Capital Life Insurance Company
Insurance subsidiaries of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.
Pacific Standard Life Insurance Company
Golden Eagle Insurance Company
National American Life Insurance Company
Superior National Insurance Companies
California Compensation Insurance

Other Representative Matters

As General Counsel, regularly advise The Surplus Line Association of California on admitted/non-admitted federal/state issues;
Obtained hundreds of insurance regulatory approvals in connection with the restructuring of Fidelity National Financial and its title insurance subsidiaries;
Represented the Dutch Association of Insurers in connection with the creation of the International Holocaust Commission;
Represented the California Insurance Industry in creating the California Earthquake Authority;
Co-founded the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation;
Volunteered and organized Hurricane Katrina insurance claims relief efforts at the Astrodome;
Representing private equity, hedge funds and venture capital in connection with various insurance investments; and
Representing the Insurance Information Institute on a pro-bono basis.

Selected Activities

Mr. Woods holds seats on the boards of both the Global Women's Leadership Network and the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation.

Publications

"International Insurance Law and Regulation," Oceana Publications (September 2008).
"Legal Strategies for the Insurance Industry: Providing Business Solutions From A Legal Perspective," Aspatore, Inc. (2005).
"Prop. 103 and Peter's Return to Never Never Land," The Underwriter's Report (October 5, 1989).
"The Fortune Teller & The Casualty Actuary Discuss Threats to Financial Solvency," The Underwriter's Report (November 1, 1984).
"Wizard of Oz Revisited: Along the Yellow Brick Road in Search of an Insolvency Solution," The Underwriter's Report (May 10, 1984).
"Alice's Adventures Revisited: A Look at the Wonderland of Reinsurance Fraud and Two Potential Victims: Kenilworth and POSA," The Underwriter's Report (May 5, 1983).
"Government Ownership Statutes - An International Stumbling Block for Alien Insurers Seeking to Transact Business in the United States," The ABA FORUM 497 (Spring 1983).
Co-author, California Insurance Law and Practice (1986).

Awards and Recognitions

Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation - Honoree at the Foundation's 16th Annual Western Division Gala. Mr. Woods became the only law firm partner to join an impressive group of insurance industry leaders recognized for their commitment of charitable services (May 16, 2009).