McGlinchey Stafford is pleased to announce that former Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Louisiana and attorney Jim Donelon has joined the firm as a Member. While his insurance regulatory practice is national in scope, he will primarily work from the Baton Rouge and New Orleans offices.
“We are thrilled to have a regulatory authority and respected attorney of Commissioner Donelon’s stature join McGlinchey,” said Michael Ferachi, the firm’s Managing Member. “As a recognized leader for the insurance industry, McGlinchey has taken a strategic focus on growing our team to serve the industry’s needs in recent years, from regulatory compliance and corporate matters to coverage litigation and defense. Jim’s unique perspective and depth of knowledge will further our capabilities as we continue to address the full range of clients’ insurance needs.”
This addition comes on the heels of McGlinchey adding 50 attorneys to its roster in 2023 and more than 30 attorneys who touch the insurance industry in the past 18 months. The firm celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024.
“From litigation to inflation to global competition, from their view, the insurance industry is under siege. I don’t know another U.S. law firm that is better respected or offers more proficiency to the industry as they meet those challenges and grow to serve their consumers and policyholders than the one I’m honored to join,” Jim said. “My career has provided me with colleagues I’ve known and worked alongside for decades. I look forward to reengaging with those people to continue our important work with the firepower of McGlinchey’s credibility and resources behind me.”
As the longest-serving Commissioner of Insurance in Louisiana’s history, Jim assumed the role in 2006 and was subsequently elected to four consecutive terms, ending in January, 2024. Prior to that position, he represented Jefferson Parish in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1981-2001, where he served as Chair of the Insurance Committee.
“Across the United States and from London to Bermuda, Jim Donelon is a respected voice with a seat at the insurance industry’s table. He has been at the forefront in advocating for everything from embracing emerging technologies to adopting a globally consistent industry model,” said Ronnie Johnson, who co-leads McGlinchey’s Insurance Regulatory work. Jim and Ronnie worked together at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the early 2000s. “It is a personal privilege to call him a colleague once again as a Member at McGlinchey.”
Prior to becoming Commissioner of Insurance, Jim served the Louisiana Department of Insurance in several leadership positions including Chief Deputy Commissioner and Executive Counsel. Jim also served as President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC), where he was the first commissioner from Louisiana to be elected President of the association.
“Louisiana is an insurance-dependent environment, both with commercial and high risk activity attendant with our ports, oil and gas, shipping, chemical plants, and oil refineries, and the residential exposure that we have,” said Jean-Paul Perrault, Chair of McGlinchey’s Corporate and Real Estate group.
“Bringing on an attorney with such a depth of awareness to advise on the industry’s broad corporate and regulatory concerns will be a major asset to our clients.”
Jim served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for more than 30 years and retired with the rank of Colonel. He received the prestigious Legion of Merit, a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. He is a native New Orleanian and a graduate of the University of New Orleans and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
