The 2026 Insurance Law Forum: Global Perspectives is a premier conference organized by AIDA U.S., the United States chapter of the International Insurance Law Association. Scheduled for March 12-13, 2026, the event will be held at Duke University School of Law and the adjacent JB Duke Hotel in Durham, North Carolina. This forum aims to bring together legal professionals, academics, and industry experts to discuss and analyze current trends and challenges in insurance law from a global perspective.
The conference will cover a range of pertinent topics, including emerging risks and their impact on the insurance sector, credit and political risks in the global marketplace, and the evolution of parametric insurance as a response to climate-related challenges. Additionally, sessions will delve into complex issues such as insurance litigation arising from geopolitical conflicts and developments in reinsurance practices. A notable panel will explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in underwriting, claims handling, and risk modeling, addressing the associated regulatory and legal implications.
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in networking events, including a welcome reception on March 11 and a cocktail and dinner reception on March 12. The forum will feature distinguished speakers from academia and the insurance industry, providing valuable insights into the evolving landscape of insurance law. Participants are encouraged to reserve accommodations early at the JB Duke Hotel, where a special conference rate has been secured.
This forum is designed for legal practitioners, insurance professionals, academics, and policymakers interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of global insurance law developments. It offers a platform to exchange ideas, discuss best practices, and stay informed about the latest trends and challenges shaping the insurance industry worldwide.
Speakers(33)
Aidan McCormack
Dentons
Aidan McCormack is a legal professional at Dentons, focusing on insurance law and related disputes.
Chris Carroll
Kennedys
Chris Carroll is a professional at Kennedys, specializing in international business risks and insurance issues.
Dan Riordan
Head of Political Risk, Credit, & Surety at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance
Dan Riordan leads the Political Risk, Credit, & Surety division at Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance, focusing on managing risks in complex international markets.
Daniel Schwarcz
Professor at University of Minnesota
Daniel Schwarcz is a Professor at the University of Minnesota, known for his work on artificial intelligence and its impact on insurance law.
Diane Hudanish
Global Risk Manager at BorgWarner
Diane Hudanish serves as the Global Risk Manager at BorgWarner, overseeing international business risks and insurance matters.
Donald Hornstein
Professor at University of North Carolina
Donald Hornstein is a Professor at the University of North Carolina, with a focus on reinsurance and insurance law.
Dr. Elizabeth Stephens
Managing Director at Geopolitical Risk Advisory
Dr. Elizabeth Stephens is the Managing Director at Geopolitical Risk Advisory, specializing in analyzing the impact of geopolitical developments on global markets.
Felix Zimmermann
Simmons & Simmons
Felix Zimmermann is associated with Simmons & Simmons, practicing in the field of insurance litigation.
Ingrid Hobbs
Simmons & Simmons
Ingrid Hobbs is a legal professional at Simmons & Simmons, dealing with international business risks and insurance claims.
James Dorion
Willis Towers Watson
James Dorion is associated with Willis Towers Watson, focusing on underwriting and claims issues in international insurance programs.
Jeff Stempel
Professor at University of Nevada Las Vegas
Jeff Stempel is a Professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, known for his work in reinsurance and insurance law.
John Shugrue
Reed Smith
John Shugrue is a professional at Reed Smith, focusing on international insurance law and claims issues.
Josephine Wolff
Professor at Tufts University
Josephine Wolff is a Professor at Tufts University, focusing on the regulatory and legal implications of artificial intelligence in insurance.
Kathleen Defever
Defever Law
Kathleen Defever is associated with Defever Law, providing insights into U.S. and global insurance law organizations.
Leo Martinez
Professor at UC Law San Francisco
Leo Martinez is a Professor at UC Law San Francisco, specializing in the intersection of artificial intelligence and insurance law.
Oliver Brand
Professor at University of Mannheim
Oliver Brand is a Professor at the University of Mannheim in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with expertise in parametric insurance and its applications in Europe.
Olivia Delagrange
Simmons & Simmons
Olivia Delagrange is part of Simmons & Simmons, specializing in international insurance programs and related legal issues.
Ozlem Gurses
Professor at Tulane University
Ozlem Gurses is a Professor at Tulane University, specializing in reinsurance law and developments in the field.
Peter Wedge
General Counsel at Testudo
Peter Wedge serves as the General Counsel at Testudo in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in AI risks and insurance products.
Pierpaolo Mariano
Professor at L-Università ta' Malta; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Latvijas Universitate
Pierpaolo Mariano is a Professor affiliated with L-Università ta' Malta, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Latvijas Universitate, focusing on AI risks and insurance.
Prof. Daniel Schwarcz
Professor at University of Minnesota
Prof. Daniel Schwarcz is a Professor at the University of Minnesota, specializing in the regulatory and legal implications of AI in insurance.
Prof. Donald Hornstein
Professor at University of North Carolina
Prof. Donald Hornstein is a Professor at the University of North Carolina, specializing in reinsurance and trending topics in the industry.
Prof. Jeff Stempel
Professor at University of Nevada Las Vegas
Prof. Jeff Stempel is a Professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, focusing on developments and trending topics in reinsurance.
Prof. Josephine Wolff
Professor at Tufts University
Prof. Josephine Wolff is a Professor at Tufts University, specializing in AI risks and their impact on the insurance industry.
Prof. Leo Martinez
Professor at UC Law San Francisco
Prof. Leo Martinez is a Professor at UC Law San Francisco, specializing in AI risks and their impact on insurance products.
Prof. Oliver Brand
Professor at University of Mannheim
Prof. Oliver Brand is a Professor at the University of Mannheim, specializing in parametric insurance and its applications in Europe.
Prof. Ozlem Gurses
Professor at Tulane University
Prof. Ozlem Gurses is a Professor at Tulane University, with expertise in reinsurance and recent developments in the field.
Prof. Pierpaolo Mariano
Professor at L-Università ta' Malta; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Latvijas Universitate
Prof. Pierpaolo Mariano is a Professor affiliated with L-Università ta' Malta, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, and Latvijas Universitate, focusing on AI risks and insurance.
Prof. Travis Pantin
Professor at University of Connecticut
Prof. Travis Pantin is a Professor at the University of Connecticut, specializing in U.S. and global insurance law organizations.
Richard H. Nicolaides, Jr.
Partner; Senior Lecturing Fellow at Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP; Duke University School of Law
Richard H. Nicolaides, Jr. is a Partner at Nicolaides Fink Thorpe Michaelides Sullivan LLP and serves as a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University School of Law.
Thomas Marrinson
Reed Smith
Thomas Marrinson is an attorney at Reed Smith, specializing in insurance litigation and complex claims.
Travis Pantin
Professor at University of Connecticut
Travis Pantin is a Professor at the University of Connecticut, specializing in insurance law and its global perspectives.
Ty Childress
Jones Day
Ty Childress is a professional at Jones Day, focusing on artificial intelligence and its implications in the insurance sector.
Event Details
- Date
- March 12-13, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Durham, United States
- Duke University School of Law and JB Duke Hotel
- Audience
- Legal practitioners, insurance professionals, academics, policymakers