Squire Patton Boggs is pleased to announce that John F. Kirtley II has joined the firm’s Financial Services practice as of counsel. He most recently served as General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary at Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company.
Partner and former Insurance Commissioner for the State of Ohio Mary Jo Hudson commented, “John is a multi-faceted practitioner and business advisor who has worked at the highest level within the insurance industry. We are delighted he has chosen to join us and bring his vast experience to help our clients deal with rapid changes in the insurance industry including business model shifts, technology advancements, product innovations and climate-related risks.”
At Illinois Mutual, Mr. Kirtley led the legal team and oversaw legal and regulatory compliance across more than 45 states, including product management, consumer complaints, and data privacy/security. In this role, he served as the primary business and legal advisor to the board of directors, president, and all business-line leaders, including sales, finance, customer service, IT and HR. He also presided over board meetings and policyowner meetings and counselled the company on corporate governance matters.
Previously, Mr. Kirtley spent 15 years at Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., rising to Associate General Counsel where he served as primary legal counsel for the life/disability insurance, sales, and retirement plan business units. He served as lead counsel for numerous transactions with independent agencies and managed nationwide claims and litigation with high levels of exposure. He also oversaw legal and regulatory compliance related to the company’s distribution of certain life products including relationships with marketing, distribution and agency partners.
“Squire Patton Boggs is well-known across the insurance industry and brings a comprehensive team-approach to help solve problems for clients. I am looking forward to working alongside my new colleagues, many of which I have known from my time on the client side, and contributing to the firm’s success.”
Mr. Kirtley is a member of numerous professional organizations such as the Association of Corporate Counsel, American Council of Life Insurers, Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics and Association of Life Insurance Counsel. An active community servant, Mr. Kirtley volunteers for the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky and several other non-profit organizations.