Legal Division

The General Counsel and his staff of attorneys represent the public interest in all hearings and proceedings held before the Insurance Commissioner. The Legal Division also represents the Insurance Commissioner in the courts and advises all other divisions in legal matters. The division also investigates allegations against insurance companies, agents, adjusters, bail bondsmen and other licensees under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, with particular emphasis on assisting and protecting consumers.

The Legal Division provides a variety of related services, including administering the E.A.G.L.E. Mediation Program; responding to Open Record Act requests; maintaining the law library and updating legal publications for other divisions; handling employee grievances, wage, hour and leave disputes, hiring/firing actions, and disciplinary actions; and acting as the Department’s liaison to the Ethics Commission.

The Legal Division functions much like a private law firm, with each attorney assigned to represent specific divisions and provide guidance on specific topics. This gives attorneys the opportunity to obtain and use specialized knowledge of their assigned subjects, and gives their “client” divisions and the general public better service. Each division also has a backup attorney for times when their primary attorney is not available.

The members of the Legal Division and their main assignments are summarized below:

Sherry Standerfer, Donna Hope, Shirley Butler, and Marsha Kratky are the backbone of the Legal Division. They perform secretarial and paralegal duties, and keep the rest of the employees organized and on schedule. Sherry, Shirley, and Donna have each been at the Department for at least ten years, so their institutional memory and understanding of insurance regulation and internal processes are unmatched.

Michael Ridgeway is General Counsel for the Department. In addition to being the chief legal advisor for the Commissioner and all of the divisions, he is the primary contact for specific questions from all the Executive Division and Communications personnel. Michael supervises the work of the Legal Division, outside counsel, and the Anti-Fraud Unit. The Bail Bond Division and Real Estate Appraiser Division also report directly to him.

Susan Dobbins is a former chair of the High Risk Pool Board and has been certified as a F.L.M.I. She is assigned to the Life and Health Division, High Risk Pool Board, senior programs, and Small Employer Health Reinsurance Program, and advises on related issues including viatical and life settlements. She also advises on Property and Casualty issues except those involving workers’ compensation.

Sandra Lavenue is assigned to represent the Bailbond Division and the Real Estate Appraiser Division, and assists on other issues including workers compensation, multiple injury trust fund reports, and agency personnel matters. She also assists the Consumer Assistance Division with property and casualty matters.

John Mahoney is a former prosecutor who advises the Anti-Fraud Unit. He works closely with the Department’s investigators and the Attorney General’s office, and he administratively prosecutes licensees who commit fraud. He also handles administrative actions against persons and entities who are engaged in the business of insurance without authorization.

Julie Delluomo advises the Department on administrative and civil procedures. She represents and advises the Agent Licensing Division, and she represents the Department regarding a variety of other subjects, including subpoena defense and title agent licensing. She also assists with prosecution of fraud and unauthorized individuals and entities.

Jane Pennington is the Department’s liaison to the Ethics Commission. She also monitors class actions and bankruptcies, handles employee grievances, advises the Information Technology Division, responds to record requests, manages the nationally-acclaimed E.A.G.L.E. Mediation Program, and oversees litigation involving the Department. In addition, she handles questions involving service warranty companies, prepaid funeral permits, High Risk Pool Board, and discount medical plan organizations.

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