Erika Ahern Curran Email & Phone Number

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, United States

Virtual

Scottsdale, Arizona

Enthusiastically provide legal guidance designed to support the organization's strategic goals while minimizing legal and regulatory risk to the enterprise. Focus on client relationships that foster cooperation on delivering corporate objectives.Counsel C-Suite executives regarding state and federal legislative and regulatory developments; engage business personnel at all levels to develop products and processes that adhere to current regulatory standards. Draft, review and negotiate a variety of business to business contracts. Examples include vendor and external sales entity agreements as well as national retail relationships including Harley-Davidson and CarMax.Partner with the marketing team to develop winning marketing messages accounting for heightened regulatory environments. Proffer direct and succinct counsel in advance of working meetings structured to gain consensus among all stakeholders.Manage or oversee all litigation. Draft and review pleadings, manage written and oral discovery requests and responses. Manage outside counsel expenses related to all matters. Matters include civil litigation including class actions and business to business litigation.Created, implemented and continue to manage a robust compliance management system that identifies non-compliance with state or federal requirements; this manual system provides a framework to correct issues and structures follow-up audits to ensure continued compliance. Work with regulators and AG offices to come to common consensus associated with consumer complaints, regulatory inquiries and regulatory investigation.Lead the development of new products including oversight of creation of consumer contracts, marks, related insurance policies and all necessary processes and practices.Manage corporate IP registrations, licenses and marks.Lead a small but exceptional team of attorneys, compliance professionals and administrative staff supporting all business operations.

Counsel and advise the President of ADS and the ADS leadership team regarding all aspects of the current and future products and services offered by ADS entities with a goal to growing profitably while minimizing legal, regulatory and litigation riskLead and manage the seven employee Compliance team; oversight of legal work performed by in-house and external attorneysDraft, review and negotiate contracts with administrative companies, dealership groups, OEMs, lenders, vendors, agents and dealersProvide legal counsel regarding all aspects of F&I Products and Programs including GAP Waiver Programs, Vehicle Service Contract, Limited Warranty Programs, Tire and Wheel, Excess Wear and Tear Waiver Programs and F&I training for agents and dealersCreate and deliver education and counsel regarding topics of interest and import to the leadership team, mid-level managers and front-line employees including attorney-client privilege, the gathering and use of competitive intelligence, appropriate use and misuse of e-mail, F&I products, marketing laws and a host of other topicsLegal review and oversight of legal review of all marketing materials, iPhone applications, web site content, internal and external presentations, product contracts, insurance policies associated with product contracts, insurance rating and underwriting rules, customer communications and all practice and policy documents

Lead Attorney for all components of the Allstate® Your Choice Auto program; responsibilities include review of rating rules, policy language, local and national advertising, substantive review of patent applications, responses to regulator and consumer inquiries, training for employees and education for agents, internal and external communications pertaining to the product and legal risk management discussions with business partners about suggested enhancements to the YCA offeringLead attorney providing legal counsel in all matters impacted by state credit laws and relevant provisions of the FCRAManage legal division’s review of new policy contracts, including the Special Value Home and Auto insurance policies written under the Encompass brand, a rewritten Manufactured Homes policy, a revised Motorcycle policy and the Allstate Blue® Indemnity product rolled out in 2007Review and provide legal approval to Marketing about national and regional television, radio and print advertising as well as sponsorship and direct mail marketing. Primary attorney responsible for legal review of all sweepstakes promotions and all promotions that include pre-screening of consumer reports as regulated by the FCRAProvide advice and counsel to Product Operations, Claims, Pricing and Underwriting about new and revised laws; responsible for ensuring business unit understanding of, and compliance with, federal and state statutes and state regulations Compose and coordinate review of responses to state regulators and legislators regarding market conduct examinations, customer complaints and general inquiries into business practicesDirectly responsible for creating and implementing attorney training program. Hold a leadership role in educating and training attorneys new to Allstate’s Legal Advisory Services

(temporary assignment to Home Office)Implemented and supported strategic initiatives within the claims organization, including: Development of centralized operation for medical payments claim handling to ensure compliance, capture efficiencies and facilitate streamlined claim process Creation of express claim handling centers designed to streamline the processing of first party property damage claimsResearched state laws and policy obligations for the Auto Express and Med Pay Centralization projects; design processes to ensure compliance with individual state laws and regulationsOversight of centralized claim handling facility located in Birmingham, Alabama

Exceptional trial verdict record throughout eleven jury trials in the First Municipal District of Cook CountyDeposed civil litigants, lay witnesses and expert witnesses; prepared and produced clients and witnesses for deposition Managed and participated in all aspects of written discovery: propound and answer written interrogatories, notices to produce and evidentiary documents for mandatory arbitration hearingsParticipated in extensive ADR practice, including mediation and arbitration hearingsParticipated in frequent settlement negotiations both as part of pre-trial settlement conferences before the court and informally with opposing counselDrafted briefs and motions for the Appellate Court Successfully defended a First District appeal regarding Illinois Supreme Court Rules 91(a) and (b)Opined as to Allstate’s potential liability for claimed losses in addition to providing legal opinions pertaining to contractual duty to defend and indemnify under personal insurance contracts. Designed and lead an innovative office-wide mentoring program for new associates

Handled all phases of litigation for defense of personal injury matters; including written and oral discovery, motion practice, arbitration hearings, civil jury trials and appellate practice.Tried seven civil jury cases to verdict in the First Municipal District of Cook County.

Juris Doctor

Activities and Societies: Dean's List Trial Advocacy Team Captain and Regional Finalist

Ba, Political Science

Activities and Societies: Dean's List National Honor Society- Philosophy

Education record