Michael Groll

Willkie represented MGT Partners LLC, a privately owned organization backed by experienced insurance executives and investors, in its acquisition of CM Select Insurance Company from Church Mutual Holding Company Inc., a leading insurer of religious organizations in the U.S. Announced on October 4, the completed acquisition marks the launch of MGT Insurance, a tech-enabled risk solutions platform focused on the commercial property and casualty market. Founded in 2017, CM Select is an insurance carrier that provides commercial property and casualty insurance to smaller religious and non-profit organizations. MGT is expanding its offering of Business Owner’s Policy and package products to classes beyond religious and nonprofits, including veteran and minority-owned businesses. The Willkie team was led by Michael Groll and included Allison Tam, Justin Sommerkamp, Eugene Chang and Donald Henderson.

Oct 4

1 min

On January 12, international insurance group Howden Group Holdings announced that it completed its acquisition of TigerRisk Partners, a leading risk, capital and strategic advisor to the global insurance and reinsurance industries. Willkie represented TigerRisk management and employees in the transaction. Howden’s acquisition of TigerRisk, initially announced in June, creates the world’s fourth-largest reinsurance broker, with $30 billion of Gross Written Premium business and an enterprise value of over $13 billion. Howden acquired TigerRisk from Flexpoint Ford, a private equity firm specializing in the financial services and healthcare industries. Willkie previously advised TigerRisk in its strategic growth investment from Flexpoint Ford in 2020. The Willkie team was led by Michael Groll and Isabel Araujo.

Jan 13

1 min

On February 2, Willkie client Essent Group Ltd. announced that it entered into an agreement through its subsidiary Essent US Holdings, Inc. to acquire Agents National Title Holding Company and Boston National Holdings LLC from Incenter LLC, a subsidiary of Finance of America Companies Inc., for $100 million. Agents National Title, based in Missouri, is a title insurance underwriter with 44 state licenses, and issues title insurance products through a network of title insurance agents. Boston National Title is an independent title agency based in North Carolina that provides title and settlement services, with licenses in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Willkie previously advised Essent in numerous transactions, including its launch in 2009 and initial public offering in 2013. Essent Group Ltd. is a Bermuda-based holding company, which, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Essent Guaranty, Inc., offers private mortgage insurance for single-family mortgage loans in the United States. The Willkie team was led by Laura Delanoy and Michael Groll and included Jenae Moxie.

Feb 6

1 min

Willkie advised Orange Insurance Exchange, a reciprocal insurer, on its formation and launch in the Florida property insurance market. Orange, led by insurance industry veteran Don Matz, announced on November 1 that it received its Certificate of Authority from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, entering the Florida insurance market with the mission of providing a new alternative for property insurance policyholders. Orange and its affiliates were founded by majority investor Griffin Highline Capital, a Dallas-based specialty insurance holding company that actively manages insurance operating businesses, in collaboration with strategic partner Cabrillo Coastal General Agency and its CEO Michael McNitt. The Willkie team was led by Sean Ewen and Michael Groll and included Thomas Spencer, Vadim Mahmoudov, Michael Katz, Nayanika Ruia and Deanna Clugston.

Nov 14

1 min

Willkie represented Hamilton Insurance Group, Ltd. (HG) in connection with its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. HG is a global specialty insurance and reinsurance company founded in Bermuda in 2013 which operations in Lloyd’s of London, Ireland, Bermuda and the United States. The initial public offering consisted of both a primary issuance of 6,250,000 Class B common shares by HG and a secondary sale of 8,750,000 Class B common shares by HG’s existing shareholders, at a price of $15.00 per share. The net proceeds from the offering were $225 million, of which the proceeds to HG were approximately $80.6 million. HG intends to use the proceeds to make capital contributions to its insurance and reinsurance operating. The Class B common shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 10, 2023, under the ticker symbol “HG”. The Willkie team was led by Michael Groll and Matthew Stern and included Michael Katz and Arthur Lynch.

Nov 14

1 min