FaegreBD’s Insurance Group in Des Moines Expands With Addition of Erik Askelsen

DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 11 -- Faegre Baker Daniels, a law firm, issued the following news release:

Erik Askelsen has joined Faegre Baker Daniels as a partner in the firm's insurance group in Des Moines where he helps insurance clients develop and implement business-minded strategies related to the regulatory, corporate, transactional, product, governance, government relations and market conduct challenges they face.

As a former senior vice president and general counsel for a leading retirement services company, Askelsen understands the issues general counsel, in-house attorneys and compliance professionals experience in the insurance and financial services sectors. He navigates complex challenges in a way that advances both the long-term goals of his clients and the short-term obstacles that arise.

During Askelsen's tenure as general counsel and senior VP at a leading senior retirement services company, he led all legal, compliance and regulatory activities for the company's U.S. operations. While overseeing day-to-day legal operations, he spearheaded a number of large-scale priorities, including helping to orchestrate the company's entrance into the pension risk transfer market. He also led the company's response to legal and regulatory changes related to the Department of Labor (DOL) Fiduciary Rule, managed the legal and regulatory issues arising from the sale of the company's life insurance business, and implemented a government relations function.

Dick Freije, FaegreBD partner and leader of the firm's insurance group, said, "The insurance industry is experiencing change from multiple directions with high stakes and growing complexity. Erik has an excellent reputation both in the Des Moines market and nationally and his extensive knowledge and understanding of the industry's many facets will help us navigate the changing landscape for our clients, allowing them to seize opportunities while also mitigating risks."

Prior to his company roles, Askelsen was a partner at a law firm in Kansas City. He provided litigation and insurance legal services to various clients, including litigating reinsurance, insurance, employment and non-compete/trade secret cases in federal and state courts. In addition, Askelsen served as a clerk for the Honorable David R. Hansen in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit from 2000-02 as well as for the Honorable Monti L. Belot in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas from 1998-2000.

Askelsen earned a law degree at the University of Kansas School of Law and served as managing editor of the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy. He received a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Iowa.