John Sarchio, one of the insurance industry’s leading and most respected lawyers, has joined Holland & Knight as chair of the firm’s Insurance Industry Practice Team. Mr. Sarchio, most recently co-founder and co-head of the Insurance and Reinsurance Practice Group at Chadbourne & Parke LLP, brings with him Richard G. Liskov, who joins the firm as a partner. Mr. Sarchio also formerly led the insurance practice at White & Case LLP.
“John is an outstanding lawyer recognized nationally and internationally for his deep knowledge of insurance regulatory, transactional and reinsurance-related issues. His reputation as a proven industry expert, as well as his considerable experience with commercial and government clients, will significantly enhance the firm’s capabilities and services,” said Steven Sonberg, managing partner of Holland & Knight. “Our insurance clients also will appreciate someone with Richard’s impressive regulatory background when seeking a firm that can help them navigate the regulatory maze in which they operate. John and Richard’s combined credentials truly distinguish us from other firms.”
Mr. Sarchio’s practice concentrates on insurance industry mergers, acquisitions and financings, reinsurance transactions, self-insurance and captives, and insurance regulatory matters. He provides guidance in connection with insurance company demutualizations, bank-insurer affiliations and mutual insurer mergers. Mr. Sarchio also has advised a variety of professional service firms in a wide range of matters relating to their professional liability insurance programs and has counseled numerous industrial and financial services companies regarding their risk management and corporate insurance programs. In addition to his work for commercial clients, he has advised several state and foreign governments on insurance issues and has drafted a number of laws and regulations governing various aspects of the insurance industry, including Vermont’s highly successful captive insurance law.
“Holland & Knight’s geographic platform is a great fit for my practice and provides me the opportunity to expand my work beyond New York,” said Mr. Sarchio. “I’m excited to offer clients the firm’s significant capabilities in a number of key areas, including litigation, corporate mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, taxation and finance.”
Mr. Liskov focuses his practice on insurance regulatory, transactional and litigation matters. He regularly counsels corporate and banking clients on regulatory and coverage issues, as well as advising and representing insurers and intermediaries. Prior to joining his previous firm, he served as the deputy superintendent and general counsel of the New York State Insurance Department (NYSID). In addition, Mr. Liskov was an assistant attorney general in New York, which included service as litigation deputy chief and a concentration on matters involving the NYSID. He also teaches insurance regulatory law at Columbia Law School on an adjunct basis.
“Holland & Knight’s award-winning insurance industry team is among the finest in the country and I am proud to be a part of it,” said Mr. Liskov. “The firm’s superior resources and collaboration across all practices will help me to better serve my clients.”
Mr. Sarchio received a J.D. degree from University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was executive editor of the Law Review, and graduated magna cum laude from Bucknell University. He also holds an LL.M. degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Mr. Liskov completed his undergraduate work at Brandeis University, where he graduated magna cum laude, and earned a J.D. degree from Columbia Law School as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar.
