MICHAEL GOLDMAN is co-leader of the firm's global Insurance and Financial Services group and for many years was a member of Sidley's Executive Committee. Mike advises insurance industry clients in connection with acquisitions, divestitures and corporate reorganizations (including demutualizations, mutual holding company (MHC) conversions, and statutory divisions); the formation , capitalization and corporate financing of insurance companies and related ventures; the regulation of insurance holding company systems; the regulation of insurance company investment practices , including the use of derivative, structured finance, and similar strategies; the structure and regulation of alternative risk financing mechanisms and complex reinsurance arrangements, including insurance securitization and derivatives, loss portfolio transfers, insurance business transfers (IBTs), and commutations and the placement of insurance-linked securities; the structure of unique marketing and insurance distribution systems; and captive insurance companies, risk retention groups, structured self-insurance, and other alternative market mechanisms. Mike also represents investment banks, commercial banks, private equity funds , investment advisers , derivatives dealers and other sectors of the financial services industry, with respect to insurance company relationships and transactions. Achievements Among his professional accomplishments, Mike represented the first Illinois domestic mutual insurance company to demutualize under Illinois' current demutualization statute, and he served as the Hearing Officer in connection with the largest MHC conversion filed under Illinois' conversion statute. He authored the original National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) statutory accounting rules for insurance futures and options and has been appointed to industry advisory and technical resource committees to various NAIC Task Forces; he also has provided counsel to the Illinois Department of Insurance and other regulatory agencies regarding emerging insurance regulatory issues. Mike has been recognized by clients and fellow lawyers as a "Leading Lawyer" in the field of insurance (transactional & regulatory) nationally and in Illinois by Chambers USA - America's Leading Business Lawyers (since 2003). He is also recognized in the International Who's Who of Insurance & Reinsurance Lawyers (2003, 2010-2015), The Legal 500 US (2012-2017) and was selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers (2005, 2007-2013) and The Best Lawyers in America (since 2006). In addition, Mike was named a BTI "Client Service All-Star" in 2016 and 2014. Mike graduated with high honors from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1982 (inactive). He received his Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law in 1985. More