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Fred Karlinsky is a Shareholder and Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Insurance Regulatory and Transactions Practice Group. Fred has over 30 years of experience representing the interests of insurers, reinsurers, and a wide variety of other insurance-related entities. He is a recognized authority on national insurance regulatory and compliance issues, has taken a leadership position in many insurance trade organizations, and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Florida Trend 500, and Florida Trend’s “Legal Elite” for his work in insurance law. Recognized as the only Band 1 Florida insurance lawyer by Chambers & Partners and one of the most influential leaders in Florida politics by City & State Florida and INFLUENCE Magazine, Fred has in-depth knowledge of insurance compliance matters and has been a primary strategist in virtually all types of Florida insurance-related legislative initiatives. In addition to his role with Greenberg Traurig, Fred has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at Florida State University College of Law since 2008. Since 2014 Fred has served on and currently chairs the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), where five of the seven current sitting Justices of the Florida Supreme Court have been appointed during Fred’s tenure on the JNC.

Concentrations

  • Insurance regulatory law
  • Insurance transactional matters
  • Insurance legislation
  • Executive, legislative and municipal government affairs
  • Governmental law
  • Corporate representation
  • Health care

Capabilities

Experience

  • Represented an investment management firm in its acquisition of a majority ownership interest of a leading insurance company from majority shareholders.
  • Represented a property and casualty insurance holding company in its formation in 2012 as well as subsequent regulatory matters and transactions, including:
    • Acquisition of an insurance company for $250 million.
    • Acquisition of a specialty insurance provider for $134 million.
    • Acquisition of a restoration services and emergency and recovery assistance provider.
    • Definitive purchase agreement for the $79.5 million private placement of senior secured notes with funds managed by several investment management companies.
  • Represented a property casualty insurance company in its merger with a private mutual company, resulting in a combined equity of about $10 billion.
  • Represented a global property and casualty insurance provider in the acquisition of a leading insurer of the outdoor entertainment industry in the United States.
  • Represented a Florida domiciled homeowners’ insurance carrier in its expansion into New Jersey and Texas.
  • Represented an insurance and financial services company in its expansion into several states.
  • Represented a property and casualty insurance group in its expansion applications to numerous states.
  • Represented a managed care company relating to the Florida and other states insurance regulatory aspects of its acquisition of a Florida-based managed care company valued at $18 billion.
  • Provided notice to, and worked to obtain approval from, the Louisiana and Texas Departments of Insurance regarding the re-domestication of a global property and casualty insurance provider, and also provided notice of the amalgamation of certain subsidiaries.
  • Represented one of the first insurance companies to apply with the Federal Aviation Administration for an exemption that provides appropriate authorization to use drones for commercial use.
  • Provided legal and regulatory representation in connection with the formation, structuring, capitalization and licensure of more than twenty insurance companies.°
  • Provided national regulatory representation in the expansion of operations of insurers and other corporate amendment transactions for insurers throughout the country.°
  • Assisted numerous insurers in a variety of regulatory filings and approvals including rate, rule and form approvals, holding company compliance issues, financial and market conduct examinations, affiliate entity transactions, regulated investments, and assisted in resolving numerous trade practice issues.°
  • Assisted in single state, regional and national legal and regulatory analysis of numerous operational and business issues for clients.°
  • Handled a variety of reinsurance matters for both ceding and assuming insurers, including accreditation and eligibility issues, collateral requirements, pooling and risk transfer mechanisms, and security and trust arrangements.°
  • Counseled clients on a variety of solvency, rehabilitation and liquidation matters.°

°The above representations were handled by Mr. Karlinsky prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, P.A.

  • Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Executive Director, Florida Residential Property & Casualty Joint Underwriting Association (predecessor in interest to Florida Citizens - quasi governmental entity), 1995-1999 
  • Certified Legal Intern, Florida Department of Community Affairs, Summer 1992
  • Intern, Florida House of Representatives, Committee on Corrections, August 1991-December 1992

Recognition & Leadership

  • Winner, Insurance Insider US Honors Awards, "Legal Services Provider of the Year," 2024 
  • Finalist, Business Insurance US Insurance Awards, "Legal Team of the Year," 2024
  • Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, 2019-2025
    • Insurance Law, 2019-2025
    • Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2023-2025
  • Listed, Florida Trend’s, “Florida 500”, 2022-2024
  • Recipient, Florida State University "Alumni Association Service Award," FSU College of Law, 2024
  • Listed, City & State Florida Inaugural Power 100 list, 2022
  • Listed, Florida Politics’ “Influence 150” list, 2022
  • Listed, South Florida Business & Wealth Magazine, “Leaders in Insurance,” 2021
  • Listed, Chambers USA Guide, 2011-2024
  • Honoree, Daily Business Review, Florida Legal Awards, "Distinguished Leaders," 2024
  • Listed, South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer," 2014-2021
  • Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, 2007-2024
  • Listed, Thomson Reuters, “Stand-Out Lawyers,” 2023-2024
  • Listed, Influence Magazine, "Insurance Lobbyist of the Year," 2023
  • Selected, Fort Lauderdale Illustrated, "Top Lawyers," 2020-2023
    • Insurance Law, 2021-2023
    • Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2020-2023
  • Selected, Lawyer Monthly, “Legal Awards - Insurance Law Lawyer of the Year,” 2021-2023
  • Recipient, Broward County Bar Association, “Committee Chair of the Year Award (Legislative Affairs),” 2022-2023
  • Recipient, Florida Insurance Council, Inc., “Outstanding Public Service Award,” July 2022
  • Recognized, The National Law Journal, "Insurance Law Trailblazers," March 2021
  • Recognized, Influence Magazine, “Florida’s 100 Most Influential People in State Politics,” 2018 and 2020
  • Recipient, Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society (IRES), "Chartrand Communications Award," 2019
  • Team Member, Best Lawyers in America®, "Top Listed – Government Relations," 2018
  • Nominee, President's Award, Securities and Insurance Licensing Association (SILA) Awards, 2018
  • Listed, Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys, 2017
  • Recipient, "Florida Governor's Business Ambassador award," Florida Governor Rick Scott, Economic Development Mission Farnborough International Air Show, London, 2016
  • Team Member, BTI Power Rankings, “The 16 Strongest Firms for ‘Go-To Outside Counsel’ Insurance Work,” 2016
  • Team Member, Best's, Client Recommended Insurance Attorneys, General Defense, 2016
  • Recognized, Honorable Mention List, "The 100 Most Influential People in Florida Politics," Influence magazine, Fall 2015
  • Recipient, "Outstanding Leadership Award," Florida Insurance Council, 2014
  • Listed, Florida Trend magazine, "Legal Elite," 2005, 2006, 2014, 2022
  • Listed, Business Leaders magazine, "Top 50 South Florida Entrepreneurs," 2012
  • Listed, Business Leaders magazine, "Movers and Shakers," 2008 and 2012
  • Honoree, South Florida Business Journal, Key Partners Award, 2010
  • Rated, AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5.0

°AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell DistinguishedSM and Martindale-Hubbell NotableSM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell® certification procedures, standards and policies.

Insurance-Related Involvement

  • Member, Board of Directors, Federation of Regulatory Counsel, Inc.
  • Member, Florida Land Title Association (FLTA)
  • Member, Law360's Insurance Editorial Advisory Board, 2018-2021, 2024
  • Member, The Windstorm Insurance Network, Inc.
  • Member, Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.
    • External Affairs Committee, 2018-Present
    • Chair, Cybersecurity Working Group
    • Member, Broward Chapter
  • Member, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
    • Member, Legal Affairs Committee, 2019-Present
  • Board Member, Insurance Advertising Compliance Association
    • Member, Education Committee, 2018-Present
  • Member, AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society
  • Former Member, American Management Association
    • Former Member, Insurance and Risk Management Council
  • Member, The American Society of Workers Comp Professionals, Inc.
  • Former Member, Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals
    • Regional Director, Gulf State Chapter
    • Member, Government and Industry Relations Committee
  • Member, Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
    • Member, Extra-Contractual Committee
    • Member, Insurance Fraud Committee
    • Former Member, Annual Event Committee
  • Member, Defense Research Institute
  • Member, Federation of Regulatory Counsel
    • Member, Board of Directors
    • Member, Nominating Committee, 2016-Present
    • Member, Membership Committee, 2020-Present
  • Member, Intermediaries & Reinsurance Underwriters Association (IRUA)
  • Member, Florida Association of Self-Insurers
  • Council Member, Gerson Lehrman Group Research
  • Board Member, Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society (IRES) Foundation
    • Chair, Nominations Committee
    • Member, Awards and Recognition Committee
    • Member, School Site Selection Committee.
    • Former Member, Agenda Committee
    • Former Member, Administration Committee
    • Former Member, Executive Committee
  • Member, International Association of Insurance Professionals
  • Member, International Association of Insurance Receivers
  • Member, International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU)
  • Member, International Society of Catastrophe Managers
  • Member, Conference on Consumer Finance Law
  • Board Member, International Insurance Society
  • Member, Hudson Insurance Federation of New Jersey 
  • Member, Louisiana Insurers' Conference
  • National Conference of Insurance Legislators
    • Member, Industry Education Council
    • Former Member, Unclaimed Property Advisory Council
  • Board Member, National Alliance of Life Companies, 2021-2023
  • Member, Securities and Insurance Licensing Association
    • Board Member, SILA Foundation
    • General Counsel
    • Membership Committee
    • Trustee, Regulatory and Organizational Relations
  • Member, Self-Insurance Institute of America
    • Member, Government Affairs Committee
  • Member, Society of Financial Examiners
    • Member, The Examiner Editorial & Publications Committee 
    • Member, Program Committee, Career Development Seminar
  • Advisory Board Member and Director, St. John’s University Center for the Study of Insurance Regulation
  • UJA-Federation of New York
    • Member, General Executive Insurance Committee
    • Member, Wall Street & Financial Services Division Honor Roll
  • Participant, Surplus Lines Law Group
  • Member, Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association
    • Member, PAC Committee
  • Member, Vermont Captive Insurance Association

Political Involvement

  • Member, National Finance Committee, National Republican Senatorial Committee
  • Member, National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics
  • Member, Inaugural Host Committee, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, 2019
  • Delegation Member, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Business Development Mission to Israel, 2019
  • Accompanied Florida Governor Rick Scott on Trade & Business Development Missions
    • U.S. Embassy Opening in Jerusalem, May 14, 2018
    • Mission to Israel, December 2-8, 2017
    • Mission to the United Kingdom, July 8-13,2016
    • Mission to the United Kingdom, July 9-15, 2012
    • Mission to Israel, December 8-15, 2011 
  • State Victory Finance Chair for Florida, Republican National Committee (RNC) and Donald J. Trump for President, 2016
  • Republican National Convention
    • Alternate Delegate, 2012, 2016, 2020
    • Delegate, 2008
  • Co-Chair, Inaugural Committee, Florida Governor Rick Scott, 2014
    • Member, Inaugural Host Committee, 2011
  • Member, Finance Committee, Republican Party of Florida, 2015
  • Member, Statewide Finance Committee, Florida Governor Rick Scott Gubernatorial Re-Election, 2014
  • Chair, Finance Committee, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater Re-Election, 2014
    • Co-Finance Chair, 2010
  • Member, Finance Committee, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi Re-Election, 2014
    • Member, Inaugural Committee, 2011
    • Broward Regional Finance Co-Chair, 2010
  • Member, National Finance Committee, Mitt Romney for President, 2012
    • Vice Chair, Florida Finance Committee
    • Member, Jewish Americans for Romney Leadership Team
    • Member, Lawyers for Romney
    • Member, Romney for President Election Day Task Force
  • Florida Co-Finance Chair, McCain-Palin Presidential Campaign, 2008
  • Member, Cato Institute
  • Patron, The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies
  • Member, Heritage Foundation
  • Florida Committee Co-Chair, Campaign for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Carlos Lopez-Cantera
  • Member, National Republican Congressional Committee, Finance Committee
  • Member, Senator Rick Scott Congressional Military Academies Selection Panel
  • Member, Republican Governors Association, Executive Roundtable
  • Board Member, Republican Jewish Coalition
    • Member, Legislative Affairs Committee
    • Past Co-Chair, Young Leadership Board
  • Member, Republican National Lawyers Association
    • Member, Lawyers for Trump

Bar-Related/General Involvement

  • Member, The Professional Services Council
  • Chair, Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, 2022-Present
    • Member, 2014-Present
    • Vice Chair, 2018-2022
  • Member, 17th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission, 2011-2014
    • Chair, 2013-2014
    • Vice Chair, 2012-2013
  • Member, American Bar Association
    • Captive Insurance Committee, Business Law Section
    • Consumer Financial Services Committee
    • Corporate Counsel Committee, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
    • Corporate Governance Committee, Business Law Section
    • Chair-Elect, Excess, Surplus Lines and Reinsurance Committee, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, 2024-2025
    • Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division
    • Insurance Coverage Litigation, Litigation Section
    • Insurance Regulation Committee, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
    • Intellectual Property Litigation, Litigation Section
    • Mergers & Acquisitions Committee, Business Law Section 
    • Professionals’ Officers’ and Directors’ Liability Committee, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
    • Property Insurance Law Committee, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
    • State and Local Government Law Section
    • State Regulation of Securities Committee, Business Law Section
    • Substantive Interest Groups, Health Law Section
      • Managed Care and Insurance
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Member, International Bar Association (IBA)
  • Member, American Corporate Counsel Association
  • Member, Broward County Bar Association
    • Co-Chair, Government Law Section, 2022-2023
    • Co-Chair, Legislative Affairs Committee, 2022-2024
    • Co-Chair, Government Law Section
  • Member, Florida Academy of Professional Mediators
  • Member, Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists
  • Member, Florida Bar
    • Member, Constitutional Judiciary Committee, 2023-6/30/2025
    • Member, Government Advocacy Committee, 2023-6/30/2027
    • Former Member, Governmental & Public Policy Advocacy Committee
    • Member, Administrative Law Section
    • Member, Government Lawyers Section Awards and Recognition Committee
    • Member, Judicial Evaluation Committee, 1998-2004
  • Trustee, Board of Trustees, Florida Supreme Court Historical Society
    • President, 2024-2025
    • First Vice President, 2023-2024
    • Second Vice President, 2022-2023
    • Treasurer, Executive Committee, 2021 
    • Member, Budget and Finance Committee
    • Member, Communications Committee
    • Member, Nominating Committee
  • Member, Miami-Dade County Bar Association
  • Board Member, Property and Environmental Research Center, 2012-2019
    • Former Vice Chair, Finance Committee
  • Member, Association of South Florida Mediators and Arbitrators
  • Member, Tallahassee Bar Association

Civic Involvement

  • Board of Trustees, Florida Police Chiefs Education and Research Foundation
  • Member, Orange Bowl Committee
    • Host Committee Board, 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game
    • Vice Chair, Government Relations Committee, 2023-2025
    • Member, Finance and Legal Committee, 2024-2025
    • Investment Committee, 2023-2024
    • Finance Committee, 2023-2024
    • Legal Committee, 2023-2024
    • Youth Football Alliance, 2022-2023
    • Government Relations Committee, 2021-2023
    • Legal Committee, 2021-2023
    • Football Host Committee A: Team Outings Committee, 2021-2022
    • Leadership Academy, 2021-2022
  • Board Member, World Trade Center Miami, 2021-Present
    • Treasurer, World Trade Center Miami, 2022-Present
    • Chair, Governance Committee, World Trade Center Miami, 2021-2022
  • Florida Constitution Revision Commission
    • Chair, Finance and Taxation Committee
    • Member, Rules and Administration Committee
    • Member, General Provisions Committee
    • Member, Style and Drafting Committee
  • Lifetime Member, Leadership Florida
    • General Counsel and Executive Committee, 2024-2025
    • Board of Directors, 2024-2025
    • Development Chair, 2023-2024
    • Finance Committee 
    • Cornerstone Class XXXVI
    • Co-Chair, 2020 International Trip to Italy
  • Board Member, American Old Catholic Church, Board of Consulters
  • Member, B'nai B'rith International, Broward Chapter, Justice Unit
  • Member, Broward County Sheriff's Office, Professional Standards Committee
  • Participant, Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy
  • Honorary Co-Chair, Miami Celebration of Reading, 2019
  • Co-Chair, Host Committee, Florida Celebration of Reading, 2018
  • Co-Chair, Florida Celebration of Reading, 2017
  • Member, Statewide Host Committee, Florida Celebration of Reading, 2016
  • Member, Statewide Host Committee, Florida Celebration of Reading, 2015
  • Member, Tech Hub South Florida 
  • Member, Economic Club of Florida
  • Board Member, Florida TaxWatch 
  • Greenberg Traurig Representative, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance 
  • Participant, Florida Chapters Conference, The Federalist Society for Law & Public Studies, 2015-2020
  • Florida State University
    • Chair, Board of Visitors
    • Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center, Advisory Council
    • Adjunct Professor of Law, Florida State University College of Law, 2008-Present
    • Member, FSU Leadership Engagement Task Force
    • Member, Dean's Cabinet
    • Lifetime Member, Florida State University Alumni Association
    • Former (Two Term) Board Member, Florida State University Foundation, Board of Trustees,
      • Member, Development Committee
      • Member, Finance Committee
    • Member, President's Club, Doak S. Campbell Society Honor Roll of Donors
    • Class Agent, Florida State University Law Annual Fund
  • Former Volunteer, Florida’s Children First
  • Holocaust Documentation and Education Center
    • Vice President, Board of Directors
    • Member, Executive Committee
    • Pro Bono Lobbyist
  • Participant, America’s Majority Celebration, Republican Governor’s Association, 2015
  • Board Member, Sigma Phi Epsilon
    • Member, Board of Governors
    • Member, Richard Spurgeon Owens Society
    • Member, Ryland Hall Society
  • Member, Temple Dor Dorim of Weston, Florida
  • Board Member, Tower Club, Board of Governors
    • Member, Ambassador Council
    • Former Member, Philanthropy Committee
    • Former Member, Nominating Committee
  • University of Miami
    • Member, James W. McLamore Society
    • Member, Loyalty Society, Honor Roll of Donors, Nine consecutive years
    • Member, Miami Circle
    • Member, President's Circle

Credentials

Education
  • J.D., Florida State University College of Law, 1992
  • B.S., University of Miami, 1989
Clerkships
  • Law Clerk, 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County, Florida, Summer 1991
Admissions
  • Florida
  • England and Wales
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. Tax Court

Related Capabilities

Insurance Government Law & Policy Financial Regulatory & Compliance Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Regulatory & Compliance Banking & Financial Services Insurance Regulatory & Transactions Government Contracts Equine Industry Group Government Contracts - Suspension & Debarment