Thomas J. Jones is a commercial litigator. His practice focuses on matters involving insurance regulatory issues, which brings him into regular contact with regulators who have authority over insurance companies and their operations, and over specialty insurers such as health maintenance organizations, life care retirement communities and prepaid benefit plans. He represents clients' interests on a broad spectrum of issues before regulatory agencies, in proceedings before administrative law judges, and in state and federal courts.
Certificates of Authority and other Licenses. Mr. Jones has assisted clients with obtaining original certificates of authority or regulatory approvals of acquisitions of licensed entities engaged in the following regulated businesses:
- title insurance
- health insurance
- health maintenance organizations
- prepaid health clinics
- third-party administrators
- continuing care retirement communities
- prepaid ambulance services
- service warranty associations
- workers' compensation insurance
Insurer Insolvency Proceedings. Mr. Jones has:
- advised insurance company management in connection with issues relating to regulatory supervision and insolvency proceedings
- negotiated with regulators to acquire insolvent insurers out of receivership
- negotiated commutation agreements for reinsurance receivable from insolvent insurance syndicates undergoing liquidation
- advised member insureds of group self insurance funds of rights incident to fund insolvency and assessment liability for previous years' coverage
Financial Compliance and Market Conduct Issues. Mr. Jones routinely counsels clients and interacts with regulators in connection with financial compliance and market conduct issues.
Representative Litigation. Litigation matters resulting in published opinions include the following:
- Southeastern Staffing Services, Inc., et al. v. Florida Department of Insurance, as receiver of United States Employer Consumer Self Insurance Fund of Florida, 728 So. 2d 248 (Fla. App. 1 Dist. 1998)
- American Ins. Ass'n v. Fla. Dept. of Ins., 657 So.2d 951 (Fla. App. 1 Dist. 1995)
- American Ins. Ass'n v Florida Dept. of Ins., 646 So.2d 784 (Fla. App. 1 Dist. 1994); In re Ionosphere Clubs, Inc., 85 F.3d 992 (2d Cir. 1996).
Other Matters. Mr. Jones has represented clients in connection with regulatory matters involving issues implicated by the Federal Risk Retention Act, the insurance regulations governing multiple employer welfare arrangements, and the insurance aspects of Florida's workers' compensation laws.