David Alberts and Stephen Rooney co-lead the non-contentious insurance practice at Mayer Brown. The team is noted for representing insurers, reinsurers, and asset managers in transactional and regulatory matters. Alberts acts for clients in the life and non-life insurance sectors, while Rooney often advises insurers and underwriters and has strong expertise negotiating and structuring M&A transactions. They are joined by Vikram Sidhu, who is experienced advising insurers and reinsurers on loss portfolio transfers. and Yuliya Feldman specializes in life, health, and property insurance. All aforementioned individuals are based in New York. In the firm’s Chicago office, Lawrence Hamilton has a strong regulatory practice, while California-based Paul Chen expertly handles insurtech acquisitions. Jared Wilner departed the team in January 2026.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Ben Kralstein is a superstar. He is extremely well-versed in the relevant markets (both onshore and offshore) and has a very client-friendly, pragmatic approach to getting work done.
- Mayer Brown is one of the very few large firms with extremely strong insurance practice groups that are able to seamlessly and effectively deliver support across all related areas, including regulatory advice and transactional support (including reinsurance).
Key clients
- Nippon Life Insurance Company
- R&Q
- Doctor’s Company
- QBE North America
- Flexpoint Ford, LLC; Sixth Street
- SiriusPoint
- AXA XL
- First American Title Insurance Company
- Doma Holdings, Inc.
- Knighthead Capital Management
- James River Group Holding Ltd.
- Janus Henderson Group plc.
Work highlights
Represented Nippon Life Insurance Company in its $8.2 billion acquisition of Resolution Life Group Holding LP.
Advised The Doctors Company on its definitive agreement for the $1.3 billion acquisition of ProAssurance Corporation.
Represented Janus Henderson Group plc (Janus Henderson) in a strategic partnership with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), through which Janus Henderson will manage a $45 billion investment grade public fixed income portfolio for Guardian and become Guardian’s investment grade public fixed income asset manager.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
David Alberts; Stephen Rooney
Other key lawyers
Vikram Sidhu; Yuliya Feldman; Lawrence Hamilton; Paul Chen; Ben Kralstein