Wiley Rein LLP


Lawrence H. Mirel
Practice Areas
Education
  • J.D., Columbia Law School
  • B.A., Oberlin College
Bar & Court Admissions
  • District of Columbia Bar
  • Connecticut Bar
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Lawrence H. Mirel

PARTNER

202.719.7449  |  lmirel@wileyrein.com


Mr. Mirel is the former Commissioner of Insurance, Securities and Banking for the District of Columbia and has been involved with insurance matters for more than 25 years.  He works on a wide range of major and emerging issues including terrorism risk and natural catastrophe insurance, health insurance policy, privacy compliance, McCarran-Ferguson reform, collateralization requirements for non-U.S. reinsurers, regulation of captive insurers and risk retention groups, class action and medical malpractice reform, and issues of state versus federal regulation.


REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Advised American Indian Tribal Risk Pool on structural and regulatory issues.
  • Helped a European credit risk insurer win product approval for entry into the U.S. market.
  • Provided advice to several start-up insurance companies on licensing requirements and regulatory strategies for unusual product offerings.
  • Worked with a mutual insurance company on regulatory issues related to business windup and sale of assets.
  • Testified as an expert witness in a hearing on the reasonableness of compensation for the CEO of a major blue cross/blue shield plan.
  • Regularly advises major insurers dealing with proposed laws and regulations that would limit the use of credit scoring, genetic testing, secondary life insurance sales and other controversial underwriting and sales practices.
  • Works with private foundations and state legislators on health insurance reforms.
  • Provides strategic advice to state and national insurance trade associations on insurance "reform" proposals.
  • Provides advice and assistance to start up captive insurance programs.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Commissioner, Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking for the District of Columbia (1999-2005).

    • Directed agency responsible for enforcing all laws related to the conduct of the businesses of insurance, securities and banking in the District of Columbia. 

    • Led a strong legal and regulatory modernization program, including the enactment of a state-of-the-art captive insurance law. 

    • Resolved a dispute over control, non-profit status and charitable obligations of the DC’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan (GHMSI).

    • Testified before Congress on the Class Action Reform Act and other legislation.

  • Founder and Executive Director, District of Columbia Insurance Federation.
  • General Counsel, Council of the District of Columbia (DC legislature) (1979-1983).
  • Legislative Aide to a U.S. Senator and a U.S. Representative.

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS

  • National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) (1999-2005).

    • Chair, Industry Liaison Committee, International Regulatory Cooperation Working Group, Class Action Litigation Working Group and System for Electronic Rate and Form Filings (SERFF); Co-chair, Ad hoc group on collateral reform.

  • North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) (1999-2005).
  • Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) (2004-2005).

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Recipient of the District of Columbia Primary Care Association's 2008 Purple Heart Award.

PUBLICATIONS

CURRENT | CHOOSE YEAR | VIEW ALL

SPEECHES

CURRENT | CHOOSE YEAR | VIEW ALL

  • Insurance Regulation in the United States

    Lawrence H. Mirel, Speaker
    International Law Institute
    August 2, 2010 | Washington, DC | View Presentation

NEWS RELEASES

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IN THE NEWS

CURRENT | CHOOSE YEAR | VIEW ALL
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