Underhill joins Edwards Wildman as insurance, reinsurance, ILS partner

Insurance, reinsurance and insurance-linked securities (ILS) focused lawfirm Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP has announced the hire of Robert Underhill as a partner with ILS expertise joining the firm’s Insurance and Reinsurance practice in New York City.

Underhill was previously with Fortress Investment Group, where in the role of Managing Director & Counsel, he was responsible for the legal, regulatory and compliance matters for the life insurance investments of various Fortress affiliated funds. Before that, Underhill was the head of the legal department responsible for the insurance related businesses at Credit Suisse. Underhill previously held positions at Citigroup and American International Group as well as in private practice.

Joining the Insurance Regulatory & Transactional practice group, Underhill will focus his practice on advising hedge and private equity funds, investment banks and insurance and reinsurance companies on matters such as: 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.

“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,” commented Jeanne Kohler, 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, Managing Partner at Edwards Wildman, said “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.”