Ohio Department of Insurance Legal Services Office Restructured

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(Columbus) – Ohio Department of Insurance Director Judith L. French announced the promotions of several employees in the department’s Office of Legal Services, including naming Whitney Fitch as Chief Legal Officer, in a restructuring of roles and certain operational aspects of the office. 

Fitch, who joined the department in 2014, previously served as a Staff Attorney, Assistant General Counsel, and most recently Interim General Counsel. She becomes the department’s top legal advisor and will direct legal staff and operations with support from Sean Sheridan and Dan Bradford, both elevated to the new positions of Assistant General Counsel. Sheridan and Bradford joined the department in 2015 and 2018, respectively, and have held the titles of Staff Attorney.

“We are fortunate to have some of the brightest insurance minds at the Ohio Department of Insurance serving and protecting the state’s insurance consumers,” French said. “These changes align with our prioritization of streamlined efficiency and effectiveness.”

In addition, the Office of Legal Services will now oversee the department’s Market Conduct Division and Fraud and Enforcement Division. These divisions monitor insurance company, agency, and agent compliance with insurance law. Administrative action is taken through the department’s Office of Legal Services if violations are found.

Todd Oberholtzer, the department’s Chief Compliance Counsel, oversees these divisions and will now also oversee the legal support for the department’s administrative cases associated with the work of these divisions.

The Ohio Department of Insurance regulates the state’s insurance industry, which is one of the largest in the world. The mission of the department is to provide consumer protection through education and fair but vigilant regulation while promoting a stable and competitive environment for insurers.