Robert Underhill has joined Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP as a partner in the firm's insurance and reinsurance practice in New York City.
Mr. Underhill will focus his practice on advising hedge and private equity funds, investment banks, and insurance and reinsurance companies on matters including investments in and restructurings of life settlement portfolios, longevity and mortality swaps, transfers of other insurance related risks, transformer transactions, pension de-risking transactions, insurance-linked securities, redundant reserve financings, and insurance related mergers and acquisitions.
Mr. Underhill joined Edwards Wildman from Fortress Investment Group, where, as managing director and counsel, he was responsible for the legal, regulatory, and compliance matters for the life insurance investments of various Fortress affiliated funds.
Prior to that, Mr. Underhill was the head of the legal department responsible for the insurance related businesses of Credit Suisse.
He also previously held positions at Citigroup and American International Group as well as in private practice.
“Robert has developed a strong reputation in the insurance industry for his expertise in investments in life insurance assets and the transfer of longevity and mortality exposures through derivatives and other insurance-linked securities,” said Jeanne Kohler, the chair of the insurance and reinsurance department at Edwards Wildman. “Robert has worked for some of the most respected insurance, investment banking, and alternative investment companies engaged in cutting edge insurance-related transactions. We are so pleased to welcome him to the group and the firm.”
Alan Levin, the managing partner of the firm, added, “Our firm is committed to representing clients in structuring, issuing, and investing in insurance-linked securities. Robert provides us with additional depth and expertise in mortality and longevity risk transfers. With the addition of Robert, we are well positioned to advise clients, including hedge and private equity funds, as well as traditional insurers and reinsurers, regarding all aspects of ILS transactions.”
Mr. Underhill earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from the University of Texas, Austin and his law degree from New York University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in New York.
Learn more: www.edwardswildman.com.
Victoria Spears
Victoria Prussen Spears is senior vice president of Meyerowitz Communications Inc., a law firm marketing communications consulting company. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Spears was an attorney at a leading New York City law firm before joining Meyerowitz Communications. She may be contacted at [email protected].