Barger and Wolen Open Ariz. Office

Barger & Wolen LLP, a Los Angeles-based law firm specializing in insurance regulatory, general business and litigation matters, has announced the opening of an office in Phoenix to be managed by Charles Cohen, former Director of the Arizona Department of Insurance. Barger & Wolen LLP has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Newport Beach and New York. Robert Hogeboom, senior regulatory counsel, announced that the Phoenix office will provide counsel in connection with regulatory and litigation issues affecting the property-casualty and life and health insurance industries.

Cohen, who joined Barger & Wolen LLP as a partner effective January 1, 2006, served as Arizona Director of Insurance from 1988 to 2003. His practice includes all aspects of insurance regulation, including market conduct examinations and compliance, rate and policy form matters, corporate and financial transactions, reinsurance approvals and disputes, state health insurance and compliance, insurer and insurance professional licensing, insurance producer investigations and disciplinary matters, insurance fraud investigations and captive insurer formation.

Cohen will also provide counsel on insurance matters in the states of Nevada and Utah. One of Mr. Cohen’s initial areas will involve the formation of and counsel to Arizona and Nevada captives.

Cohen joins Barger & Wolen LLP as the third former insurance commissioner along with Richards D. Barger, co-founder of the firm, and Roxanni Gillespie, who served as California Insurance Commissioner from 1987 through 1990.