Robert Schmidlin Email & Phone Number

Bedford, Texas, United States

Houston, Texas, United States

AAdvises and counsels GSFSGroup executives, officers, managers and associates as to all pertinent legal matters affecting its motor vehicle service contract provider and insurance companies; determines legal aspects and prudent action for management to take regarding business transactions; provides legal services that effectively meet client needs and minimizes risks associated with business transactions; leads, motivates and develops Regulatory Compliance team; develops, implements and monitors policies, processes, practices, and training to ensure that GSFSGroup and its associates comply with current federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the business; provides legal advice and counsel for company’s participating structures program; oversees issuance of contractual liability insurance policies; communicates with governmental agencies to represent or advocate GSFSGroup’s plans and positions; negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts and agreements; handles attorney demand letters and manages litigation arising from claims; directs outside counsel in preparation of litigation documents and settlement discussions; chairs the GSFSGroup Privacy Committee and leads implementation of state and federal privacy laws and regulations; assists with government relations activities related to GSFSGroup’s products and businesses.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Directed an in-house regulatory compliance team for market-leading motor vehicle service contract administrator/obligor; advised Century executives on business and operational compliance requirements; implemented changes to Century business and operational practices to comply with legal, regulatory and client requirements; integral part of Century team handling business contracts, deals and transactions; interfaced with MAPFRE Insurance Legal Department on legal and regulatory issues; handled attorney demand letters and managed litigation arising from claims; directed outside counsel and consultants; advised on producer-owned reinsurance companies; researched, analyzed and determined effects of statutes, regulations, legislation and case law on business practices and procedures; conducted legal compliance reviews for new products and marketing materials; advised MAPFRE Insurance on contractual liability insurance policies; coordinated and supported rate filings; liaison with industry trade associations on legislative issues; formed and licensed Century client entities; oversaw Century’s service contract, vehicle protection product and general business licenses and registrations; researched and responded to regulatory inquiries and consumer complaints.

Miami, Florida

Directed an in-house regulatory compliance practice group consisting of five attorneys for a Fortune 300 specialty property/casualty insurance and service contract market leader; provided legal advice and counsel, guidance, direction and strategy to senior business, legal and corporate leadership; partnered with business leadership and internal counsel on contracts, deals and transactions; interacted extensively with regulators on behalf of Assurant’s insurers, service contact obligors and other regulated entities; researched, analyzed and determined effects of statutes, regulations and case law on business practices and procedures; conducted legal compliance reviews for new product development; supervised tracking and analysis of legislation, regulations and bulletins; identified and determined legislative priorities in conjunction with Government Relations; directed outside counsel, lobbyists and consultants; negotiated consent orders and stipulations with regulators; provided legal support for market conduct and financial examinations; led development of excess lines insurance product and import/export compliance programs; handled complaints; represented company at trade association and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) meetings.

Miami, Florida

Orlando, Florida Area

Practice focused on property/casualty and title insurance regulatory compliance; advocated for clients before state regulatory agencies; advised national property/casualty insurer on structuring admitted, non-admitted and surplus lines insurance programs; represented major title insurer in an industry-wide market conduct examination; analyzed impact of proposed regulations affecting title insurance rates, real estate joint ventures and marketing programs for the market-leading group of title insurers; advised expanding regional bank on state law impact to insurance referral plan; crafted strategy for winding-up the operations of an international title insurer; advised on statutory accounting issues affecting valuation of title insurer assets; advised major title insurer on revisions to title insurer guaranty fund statutes and national model law guidelines; conducted dissolution of a not-for-profit corporation; represented clients at National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”) National Meetings; published articles analyzing current topics in insurance regulation, cyber security, and mortgage servicing.

Jacksonville, Florida Area

Practice focused on insurance regulatory compliance for a holding company system of five title insurers, an international title insurance division, title service affiliates and a property/casualty insurance group; advised Chief Legal Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and executive management on regulatory matters affecting insurance business transactions; interacted extensively with state regulators on behalf of insurers; identified and managed state and federal legislative priorities; directed outside counsel, lobbyists and consultants; managed market conduct/financial examinations and related litigation; negotiated consent orders with regulators; secured regulatory approval of filings for insurer business transactions, licensing applications, mergers and re-domestications; negotiated and drafted service provider agreements with lenders; drafted intercompany agreements; developed and implemented a company-wide record retention program; served as company records officer; managed federal and state political action committees; determined company political priorities in conjunction with Chief Legal Officer and executive management; served as Secretary with corporate governance responsibilities for an industry advocacy coalition; represented company at NAIC National Meetings; graduate of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Leadership Program.

Greater New York City Area

Practice focused on insurance regulatory compliance; advised clients on accident and health, life, mortgage guaranty, property/casualty, reinsurance and workers’ compensation insurance matters; advocated client interests before state regulatory agencies, including the New York Insurance Department and New York Workers’ Compensation Board; secured regulatory approval of filings related to insurer business transactions, product introductions and state licensing applications; drafted insurance policy provisions; drafted and negotiated insurer stock purchase and reinsurance agreements; conducted due diligence reviews; prepared and secured regulatory approval of insurance producer licensing applications; extensive experience in legal research and preparation of memoranda on insurance, reinsurance and producer issues; advised clients of federal and state privacy law requirements; drafted legislation; lobbied New York legislators for passage of legislation; researched and drafted articles for legal and trade publications; elected twice to Associates Committee, Class of 2000 representative.

Albany, New York Area

Advised New York Insurance Superintendent, First Deputy Superintendent and Governor’s staff on legislative and insurance matters; advocated Department’s legislative program before members of New York State Legislature; negotiated and drafted legislation; prepared supporting legislative memoranda; drafted Department Circular Letters; led production of Department’s annual consumer guide to health insurers; coordinated responses to legislative requests; represented Department at meetings of NAIC and National Conference of Insurance Legislators.

Juris Doctor, Law

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), History