Not sure if theres a subtle form of competition up on Northern Boulevard, but after my column reported that PRI had written its 13,000th doctor, we came upon a press release from First Rehab Life stating that the company had written its 100,000th active DBL policy. From what we know of John Baldwin, this press release is surely accurate and represents fruits of the ambition of a team of professionals that well deserve the 21 percent of eligible market share they now command. Over the years, Rick Weinstein and Emilio Miret, among others, have helped to bolster the companys place within the N.Y. market. This, plus an aggressive advertising and marketing program using face-to-face marketing (i.e., field reps), has helped this company make a mark in the New York State marketplace thats unmistakable. We congratulate, even if it is a bit belatedly, John Baldwin and the fine people at First Rehab Life.

Lori Marano continues to write and think defense of doctors and their insurers. This superb co-author of Medical Malpractice, the book, continues to analyze and structure appeals for doctors often up against insane standards in a crazy legal environment. Lori is with Geisler and Gabrieli on Long Island and continues to be a source of smart thinking for the defense.

ERM

The term enterprise risk management is a new way to discuss an old topic, but is nonetheless assuming a greater meaning as risk managers are calling upon actuaries to assume a greater role in the process of risk management. Frankly, I know several actuaries, and I am not sure that if they become protagonists " and not purely analysts " that their value is not changed as objective sources of information. However, since its the very Casualty Actuarial Society itself that is calling upon actuaries to assume the broader role, it represents a cultural change, and possibly the source of even more jokes about actuaries in the future. I respect the advice of this society that urged actuaries to become familiar with approaches being taken by rating agencies toward enterprise risk management. Actuaries need to realize that the future will not be the same as the past for them. If any one can prove that very point, its probably an actuary.

The Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art was the scene of Katten, Muchins Annual Appreciation Night for its clients. The museum itself is one of the firms clients. By our account Katten, Muchin is among the top 25 largest law firms in the country. This firm has an excellent legal powerhouse in the insurance field led by our good friend, Marc Tract, who in turn, had the poor taste to invite us to join his clients and friends at MoMA party. May I say that this firm needed a location the size of the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art to accommodate its 2,000 odd guests. The art was beautiful and the host most gracious. We were happy to see a lot of our insurance friends and colleagues there " particularly the handful who actually created an art tour together. Nice party, great setting.