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From Best's Directories of Insurance Professionals

Letter from the Editor

Best regards, John Czuba Editor, Best's Directories of Recommended Insurance Attorneys and Adjusters

Member Spotlight     Jean Golden We are pleased to spotlight Jean Golden for her many professional accomplishments and the tremendous respect she has earned from both her clients and attorney peers. Jean, a partner at Cassiday Schade LLP, co-chairs the firm's Insurance Practice Group, serves on its Executive Committee and is involved in dozens of philanthropic community and legal industry organizations. In addition to the many accomplishments outlined in her biography, Jean was recently peer-nominated as one of only 15 female attorney honorees by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company in their 2012 Women in Law feature. She has served as a Campaign Vice Chair for the last three years on the Chicago Bar Foundation's Investing in Justice Campaign, helping to raise money to support equal access to justice in the Chicago community. Jean will also be participating in a mid-October, 2012, Insurance Law Podcast episode on insurance coverage liability for foodborne illness.

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World Catastrophes Map 2011

In June, A.M. Best published a topical World Catastrophes Map as a print and online supplement to Best's Review. This map, which looks at the largest insured loss events of 2011, is a valuable, informative record of the prior year's insured losses worldwide. The online version features 20 videos that illustrate each of the top 20 events. This feature enables claims personnel to have access to recorded catastrophic events at their fingertips.

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In the Press

Each quarter, "In the Press" brings you the most important press releases, announcements and achievements from Directories listees.

Awards/Recognitions/Nominations

Firm News

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Do you know of a firm or individual who has made a difference in their community? Visit our "Community Showcase" FAQ page to learn more about this feature or complete our "Community Showcase" Nomination Form. Nominations are accepted year-round.

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For the Record

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Legally Speaking

Each quarter, "Legally Speaking" highlights the newest Insurance Law Podcasts from A.M. Best. To listen to a podcast, please click on the podcast title. A new window containing an audio player will open. At the end of the podcast, please close the audio player window to return to your BestConnect newsletter. If you enjoy the podcasts below, be sure to visit our archive for other podcasts you may have missed.

	The Changing Law of Appraisal in Florida Posted: Thu, 30 Aug 2012 Attorney Nicole Palmer from the law firm of Wade, Palmer & Shoemaker, P.A. in Pensacola, Fla., discusses the changing law of appraisal in the state and how insurers can use appraisal to their advantage both before and after a suit has been filed.
	Attorney Golub on Stacking of Policy Limits Posted: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 Attorney Larry Golub from the law firm of Barger & Wolen LLP in Los Angeles discusses a recent landmark California Supreme Court decision involving the stacking of policy limits, and whether or not an insured can collect on damages over a period of many years. Golub also explores its impact on the insurance industry.
	Attorney Dissects Compliance within Social Media Posted: Mon, 2 July 2012 Attorney Rich Fidei from the law firm of Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate, P.A., discusses social media and advertising compliance within the insurance industry.

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2012 Special Report: U.S. State Compensation Funds -- State Funds' Net Premiums Written, Surplus Grew in 2011; Signs of Change Ahead   Based on net premiums written, 2011 appears to be the beginning of a new cycle for state compensation funds. Net premiums written for the group increased in 2011 for the first time since 2004. A key driver of increased net premiums written in 2011 was improved premium audit results; as payrolls stabilized, most companies found audit results also stabilized. Read more about this in this Best's Special Report.   If you would like to view other complimentary reports, visit our Member Center to register.

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In Brief

"In Brief" highlights important insurance industry news from A.M. Best's award-winning news publications. Access to full stories may require a subscription to the publication.

Title of Article	Article Date
John Hancock: US Supreme Court Should Clarify How ERISA Lawsuits Proceed	Friday, August 24, 2012
University of Illinois: Crop Insurers Could Face Underwriting Losses of $18B	Monday, August 27, 2012
Swiss Re: Italy's Economic Woes Present Openings to Insurers	Monday, August 27, 2012

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It's the Law The Law Digest is a summary of the insurance laws for each U.S. state and Canadian province. Our aim is to provide a reference source that covers some of the general insurance principles in leading case decisions. The following U.S. and Canadian Law Digests have been recently updated: Arizona Courtesy of Gust Rosenfeld P.L.C., Phoenix, AZ California courtesy of Smith Smith & Feeley LLP, Irvine, CA Idaho courtesy of Farley Oberrecht Harwood & Burke, P.A., Boise, ID Louisiana courtesy of Gieger, Laborde & Laperouse, L.L.C., New Orleans, LA Maryland courtesy of Council, Baradel, Kosmerl & Nolan, P.A., Annapolis, MD Missouri courtesy of Boggs, Avellino, Lach & Boggs, LLC, St. Louis, MO Nevada courtesy of Thorndal, Armstrong, Delk, Balkenbush & Eisinger, Las Vegas, NV New Mexico courtesy of Butt, Thornton & Baehr, P.C., Albuquerque, NM New York courtesy of London Fischer LLP, New York, NY North Carolina courtesy of Bailey & Dixon, L.L.P., Raleigh, NC Oregon courtesy of Bullivant Houser Bailey PC, Portland, OR Utah courtesy of Plant, Christensen & Kanell, P.C., Salt Lake City, UT Texas courtesy of Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, L.L.P., Dallas, TX Vermont courtesy of Theriault & Joslin, P.C., Montpelier, VT Virginia courtesy of Bancroft, McGavin, Horvath & Judkins, P.C., Fairfax, VA Washington courtesy of Lee Smart, P.S., Inc., Seattle, WA Wisconsin courtesy of Crivello Carlson, S.C., Milwaukee, WI Manitoba courtesy of Fillmore Riley LLP, Winnipeg, MB New Brunswick courtesy of Canty Lutz Delaquis Grant, Saint John, NB Quebec courtesy of Lavery, de Billy L.L.P., Montreal, QC

To see the full list of updates, click below.

• Richardson, Whitman, Large & Badger, Portland, ME

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Notable Listings

New Listings

Best's Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys

Best's Directory of Recommended Insurance Adjusters

Best's Directory of Recommended Expert Service Providers

Notable Listing Anniversaries

Over 80 listees are celebrating major anniversaries with Best's Directories of Insurance Professionals this quarter! View our complete list of companies celebrating 10, 25, 50, and 75 years in Best's Directories.

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Don't miss any of the upcoming webinars! View our full webinar schedule, or register to attend a session.

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Upcoming Insurance Industry Trade Shows, Conventions and Events View the latest schedule for up-to-date information on insurance industry events from the Meetings & Conventions database.

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Important A.M. Best Announcements

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