SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – May 9, 2005 — In an effort to provide firms of all sizes with high-quality professional liability coverage, The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) has renewed its exclusive partnership with Ahern Insurance Brokerage (AIB) and XL Capital for the third consecutive year, AIB announced today. BASF, AIB and XL Capital currently insure 150 law firms through this program.
“We've established a proven, successful relationship with AIB and XL Capital. This history was the driving factor behind our decision to renew the joint professional liability program,” said Martha Whetstone, Executive Director and General Counsel of The Bar Association of San Francisco. “By aligning with industry leaders such as AIB and XL Capital, we are able to better serve our members and provide cost-conscious, highly effective insurance solutions.”
Through the partnership with BASF, AIB serves as the official insurance broker and XL Capital is the exclusive insurance carrier. By leveraging the collective buying power of its members, the Bar-sponsored professional liability program makes it possible for firms of all sizes to obtain affordable insurance coverage.
“Working with The Bar Association of San Francisco and XL Capital gives us the ability to offer members an extremely competitive program with one of the most comprehensive policies available in the market today,” said Kevin Ahern, Vice President, Ahern Insurance Brokerage who also oversees the San Francisco office. “This is a truly a well-built partnership because along with the local expertise of AIB, we are bringing together prestige and industry knowledge from the Bar Association of San Francisco and leveraging the capabilities of XL Capital, one of the strongest admitted insurance carriers writing business in California.”
The joint partnership also provides a free retirement tail associated with the policy, choice of defense counsel in the event of a claim, a sub-limit for disciplinary actions, and risk management services provided through a joint effort between AIB and XL Capital.
“The strong financial rating, local knowledge from AIB and competitive rates made the Bar-sponsored professional liability program appealing and ideal for our firm,” said Andrew M. Zacks , Shareholder in the Law Office of Zacks Utrecht & Leadbetter PC. “This viable partnership gives us the peace-of-mind that our attorneys and clients will receive the security and protection they need today and in the future.”
About The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF)
The Bar Association of San Francisco (BASF) is a nonprofit voluntary membership organization of over 8,000 attorneys, law students and legal professionals in the Bay Area. Founded in 1872, BASF is one of the largest and most dynamic metropolitan bar associations in the U.S., with a long a distinguished record of community action, public service and service to the legal profession.
About Ahern Insurance Brokerage
Ahern Insurance Brokerage (AIB) is an independently owned insurance brokerage firm specializing in Professional Liability Insurance for the legal community. With a philosophy founded on building long-term business relationships, AIB and founder Brian Ahern have been providing Professional Liability Insurance to attorneys for over thirteen (13) years. As a result of this considerable experience, AIB has developed strong industry partnerships that enable the firm to provide its clients with superior service, professional representation, and the ability to deliver the most comprehensive programs at the most favorable premiums. Today AIB insures and consults over 1,200 law firm clients making it the largest independent insurance broker on the west coast specializing in professional liability insurance for the legal community.
About XL Capital
XL Capital is one of the financially strongest carriers in California with $40 billion in assets and a rating of A+ (Superior) from A.M. Best, the nation's leading insurance industry rating service.
