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Mary Jo Hudson
Partner
Mary Jo Hudson serves as a strategic adviser, regulatory advocate and thought leader for global, national and regional insurance companies, trade associations, businesses and litigants in insurance law, regulatory compliance and unclaimed property audit defense matters.
As a former Insurance Commissioner for the State of Ohio, she understands regulators’ perspectives and provides insurance company leaders with keen insights and trusted strategic advice and counsel on a wide range of matters, including:
- Formation and licensure of insurance companies
- Insurance company financial regulations, examination responses, holding company act filings and requests for approvals, including regulator review of mergers and acquisitions
- Insurance company internal investigations and analysis
- Multistate and single-state market conduct examination defense
- Unclaimed property audit defense
- Service for trade associations, providing strategic advice and representation
- Monitoring and advocating on matters before the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
- Corporate governance
Mary Jo is often sought out to serve as an expert witness on insurance regulation/regulatory framework, and insurance product and claims issues.
Mary Jo is active defense counsel for a number of multistate unclaimed property audits, working on behalf of holders on privileged internal analysis, responding to auditor demands, and assisting holders with VDAs and providing strategic advice on unclaimed property law compliance. She wrote the definitive white paper on life insurance and unclaimed property, published by the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI).
As Ohio’s Director of Insurance from 2007 until 2011, Mary Jo served as a member of the NAIC Executive Committee, chair of the Ohio Health Care Coverage and Quality Council, and chair of the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission. She also has prior experience as general counsel for the Office of the Ohio Insurance Liquidator and as a Special Services attorney for the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Mary Jo is a former board member of the Association of Life Insurance Counsel (ALIC), and is currently working ALIC’s Annual Meeting Planning Committee. She is also a member of the Unclaimed Property Professionals Association (UPPO) and participates in its Holders’ Coalition.
Mary Jo has extensive and unique board and community service experience. She has served as an independent member of the board of directors and Audit Committee member for AIG Property Casualty, Inc., and as a board member of the American Academy of Actuaries. Her community service includes having served as member of Columbus City Council, as a board member and chair of the Audit and Finance Committees of the Columbus Board of Education, and a board and Executive Committee member of each of the United Way of Central Ohio, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Women’s Fund of Central Ohio and Human Rights Campaign.
Education
- University of Cincinnati, with honors
- Miami University, B.A.
Admissions
- Ohio, 1989
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2023-2025 for Insurance Law and Litigation
- LBGT Victory Fund, Elected Service Recognition, 2019
- Grange Insurance “Trailblazer Award,” 2018
- Independent Insurance Agents of Ohio, Independence Bell Award, 2011
- PIA-Ohio, Industry Person of the Year Award, 2010
- United States Department of Defense, Employer Patriot Award, 2009
- Leadership Columbus Hall of Fame Inductee, 2009
- UCAN Healthcare Advocate Award, 2009
- YWCA Woman of Achievement, 2008
- “40 Under 40,” Business First, 2000
Publications
- Interview, “A Voice of Public Service, Insurance Regulation, and Advocacy For Consumers,” The Demotech Difference, Fall 2022.
- Regular Contributor, Reinsurance Newsletter and Our Perspectives Newsletter, Squire Patton Boggs Publications
- Co-author, “COVID-19 and Additional Regulatory Directives for Insurance Companies,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, March 2020.
- Co-author, “Insurance Departments and Congress Address COVID-19 Coverage and Risks in Myriad of Regulatory Directives That Impact All Lines of Insurance,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, March 2020.
- Co-author, “COVID-19 and US Health Insurance: New Regulatory Directives – Stafford Act – State of Emergency,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, March 2020.
- Co-author, “COVID-19 and US Health Insurance New Regulatory Directives,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, March 2020.
- Co-author, “Big Data is Not Untethered – Consumer Protections Exist,” Journal of Insurance Law and Regulation, Federation of Regulatory Counsel, October 2019.
- Co-author, “Federal Reserve Previews “Building Block Approach” to Insurer Capital Standards,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, January 2019.
- Co-author, “Reinsurer Collateral Requirements: Covered Agreements and US Credit for Reinsurance Model Law,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, December 2018.
- Co-author, “2019 Corporate Governance Developments – 'Interesting Times' for Insurance Industry,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, December 2018.
- Author, “Maine’s RUUPA Must Be Opposed,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, December 2018.
- Author, “2018 Election Results and Insurance Commissioners Summary Analysis,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, November 2018.
- Co-author, “Recent Developments in the Federal Insurance Office,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, June 2018.
- Author, “State Insurance Regulation – Increased Disparagement of the Regulatory Framework and a Call for Action,” Squire Patton Boggs White Paper, April 2018.
- Author, “Update on Florida Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of DMF Search Legislation,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Alert, May 2017.
- Author, “Commencement of Insurance Policy and Duration of Risk,” 8-84 New Appleman on Insurance Law Library Edition 84, New Appleman on Insurance Law Library Edition.
- Author, “Life Insurance, Unclaimed Property and the Death Master File: Towards a Uniform National Framework,” White Paper prepared for the American Council of Life Insurers, updated 2015 and 2016.
Speaking Engagements
- Presenter, “COVID-19 Insurance Updates Briefing Call,” Squire Patton Boggs Client Briefing, March 27, 2020.
- Speaker, "How States May Look to Insurers to Bail Out COVID-19-Impacted Small Businesses,” AmBest TV, March 25, 2020.
- Speaker, LexisNexis Risk Solutions Customer Advisory Meeting, Colorado Springs, CO, September 2019.
- Moderator, “Regulatory Implications for New Technologies,” The Association of Life Insurance Counsel, Annual Meeting, Palm Beach, FL, May 20 2019.
- Speaker, NAIC Suitability Model Regulation – Chicago Revision Meeting, November 2018.
- Moderator, Commissioner Panel, Property Casualty Insurers Association of America 2018 Annual Meeting, October 2018.
- Speaker, “Future of Insurance Regulation,” CEFLI 2018 Annual Meeting, September 2018.
- Speaker, “NAIC Regulatory Roundup,” ACLI Compliance & Law Section 2018 Annual Meeting, July 2018.
- Speaker, “Trailblazer Workplace Diversity ERO,” Grange Insurance, June 2018.
- Speaker, “Regulatory Update” and “State Insurance Regulation: Increased Disparagement of the Regulatory Framework and a Call to Action,” DRI, Life Insurance, Disability and Annuities Section, May 2018.
- Speaker, “The Future of Insurance Regulation,” Insurance Advertising Compliance Association (IAdCA) Annual Meeting, April 2018.
- Speaker, Diversity and Inclusion Panel, Squire Patton Boggs Client Event, Chicago, IL, February 22, 2018.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property Update: 2017 and Preparing for 2018,” Squire Patton Boggs Webinar, December 14, 2017.
- Panelist, “The Future of State Regulation,” CEFLI Annual Meeting, October 2017.
- Speaker, “IIPRC and Product Innovation,” CEFLI Annual Meeting, September 2016.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property Update,” Life & Health Compliance Association Meeting, September 2016.
- Speaker, “Life Insurance Update,” Unclaimed Property Professional Organization, March 2016.
- Speaker, “Widening the Lens: Regulatory Modernization,” CEFLI, February 2016.
- Speaker, “2015 Year in Review,” CEFLI Webinar, December 2015.
- Speaker, “Ohio Agent Ethics Issues,” Ohio PIA Meeting, October 2015.
- Speaker, “Ohio Agent Ethics Issues,” Northeast Ohio Health Underwriters Meeting, August 2015.
- Speaker, “Future of Unclaimed Property for Life Insurers,” CEFLI Unclaimed Property Summit V, April 2015.
- Speaker, “Update on Unclaimed Property Matters,” IRES Foundation Training, April 2015.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property Update Panel,” American Council of Life Insurers Forum 500, October 2014.
- Presenter, “Life Insurance, Unclaimed Property and the Death Master File: Towards a Uniform National Framework” White Paper, NAIC Unclaimed Life Benefits (A) Working Group on behalf of the American Council of Life Insurers, July 2014.
- Speaker, STOLI Discussion, Florida Chamber of Commerce, Insurance Summit, January 2014.
- Presenter, “Local Affiliate Training, Unclaimed Property and Life Insurance Companies, Legislative and Regulatory Developments,” American Council of Life Insurers, November 2013.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property: Taming the Beast,” American Fraternal Alliance Annual Meeting Workshop, September 2013.
- Speaker, “Life Settlements and STOLI: A Case Law Update,” National Association of Insurance Commissioners CLE Program, September 2013.
- “Recent Developments in Unclaimed Property,” Association of Life Insurance Council Annual Meeting, May 2013.
- “Unclaimed Property, Ohio Business to Business Exemption and Automobile Repair Claims,” Ohio Insurance Institute, Legislative Conference, March 2013.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property Audits, Surviving Progress,” Eastern Claims Conference,” February 2013.
- Presenter, “Local Affiliate Training, Unclaimed Property and Life Insurance Companies – legislative and regulatory developments,” American Council of Life Insurers, November 2012.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property Audit and Market Conduct Developments” and Unclaimed Property Audit Training,” American Council of Life Insurers Annual Meeting September 2012.
- Speaker, “Legal and Compliance Sections Training” and “Unclaimed Property Audit Developments,” American Council of Life Insurers, July 2012.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property Audit Developments,” Association of Life Insurance Counsel, March 2012.
- Guest Lecturer, Advanced Legal Communications Class, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, March 2011, March 2012.
- Speaker, “Improvements to State Regulatory System,” Commissioner Conference, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, February 2012.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property and Life Insurance,” Annual Conference, American Council of Life Insurers, November 2011.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property and Life Insurance,” IRES Foundation Training, May 2012.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property and Life Insurance,” American Council of Life Insurers, Local Counsel Training, May 2011.
- Panelist, “Industry Update,” Ohio Insurance Institute, May 2011.
- Speaker, “Health Insurance Market Issues,” Health Policy Forum, April 2011.
- Speaker, “Unclaimed Property and Life Insurance,” Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization Annual Conference, July 2011.