Troutman Pepper Locke has added Baird Allis as a partner in its Insurance Transactional and Regulatory Practice Group in Chicago, bringing back a former partner who most recently served as vice president and associate general counsel at Kemper Corporation. Allis brings more than 15 years of experience spanning private practice and in-house leadership within the insurance industry.
He previously served as a partner at Locke Lord, one of Troutman Pepper Locke’s legacy firms, before moving in-house.
His experience covers a broad range of corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, financings, divestitures, restructurings, joint ventures, corporate governance and public company SEC reporting.
Allis has advised clients across the insurance, banking and investment management sectors.
Those clients have included insurance companies, national banks, investment management firms and family offices.
His return comes as Troutman Pepper Locke sees increased activity across insurance transactions and related regulatory matters.
The firm expects Allis’ combination of outside counsel, in-house and board-level experience to help clients navigate increasingly complex transactions in the sector.
Allis will be based in Chicago, a market where Troutman Pepper Locke has built a significant insurance presence.
His familiarity with both the firm and the broader insurance industry is expected to support the continued expansion of the Chicago practice.
Allis’ time at Kemper also gives him direct experience working with outside counsel from the client side, providing perspective on how insurers evaluate legal advice and manage complex corporate matters.
At Troutman Pepper Locke, he will advise insurance companies, reinsurers, brokers and other industry participants on transactions and regulatory issues.
The firm’s Insurance Transactional and Regulatory Practice works across mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, restructurings, market entry and compliance with insurance regulatory frameworks.
Troutman Pepper Locke has more than 1,600 attorneys across more than 30 offices.
The firm serves clients across sectors including insurance and reinsurance, financial services, private equity, energy, healthcare and life sciences, and real estate.
KEY QUOTES:
“Insurance transactional work has seen a substantial uptick in our practice, and these deals bring nuanced complexities that require high-end talent to navigate. Clients are better served by exceptional lawyers like Baird who have sat on every side of the table.”
“His unique experience as outside counsel, in-house counsel, and as part of the board’s inner circle will directly benefit our clients and strengthen our nationally recognized practice.”
Zachary Lerner, Chair of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Insurance Transactional and Regulatory Practice Group
“Chicago is a hub for the insurance industry, and Baird adds meaningful depth to the strong practice we’ve built in this market.”
“I have worked alongside him before, and his knowledge of this market, firm, and industry is second to none. We are glad to have him back.”
Andrea Verney Kerstein, Chicago Office Managing Partner and Partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Insurance and Reinsurance Litigation Practice Group
“I’ve watched Troutman Pepper Locke build one of the premier insurance practices in the country, first as a colleague and then as a client.”
“My time in-house showed me what clients look for in outside counsel. There’s no better place to put that experience to work than back among colleagues and clients I have known and trusted for years. It is great to be back.”
Baird Allis, Partner at Troutman Pepper Locke
