About Us
The Schacht Group
We advise insurance companies on emerging issues and critical challenges. Founded in 2008 and built on President James W. Schacht’s extensive experience in advising insurers and regulators, the firm offers authoritative guidance on both the routine and unexpected, thornier regulatory concerns, litigation, and public policy initiatives.
The Schacht Group advocates on behalf of insurers seeking approval on acquisitions, mergers, or other transactions which come before regulatory authorities. The firm assists corporate leaders seeking direction at critical junctures, including run-off, restructuring, receivership, or liquidation. Specialists in the realm of product development, firm professionals review marketing plans to ensure new products or services comply with insurance laws and regulations.
With expert appearances in numerous State and Federal courts, the Schacht Group serves as consultant on complex industry issues. James Schacht provides expert testimony on wide-ranging topics for insurance companies, law firms, and regulatory agencies.
In addition, the firm works with professional associations, state regulators and legislators on researching issues of critical interest. Bringing their unique perspective and knowledge, the Schacht Group assists the industry in analyzing emerging concerns and developing model rules and procedures.
Bio
The Schacht Group, Inc. is founded on the growing need for expert counsel to companies, law firms, and regulators in the insurance field.
JAMES W. SCHACHT
President
LYNNE PRESCOTT HEPLER
Senior Managing Director
JAMES W. SCHACHT
President
The Schacht Group, Inc. is founded on the growing need for expert counsel to companies, law firms, and regulators in the insurance world. President James W. Schacht understands how insurance law is applied and implemented because he was instrumental in developing much of the current body of insurance law. He was recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Robert E. Dineen Award in 1990 for having written more model laws, regulatory manuals, and regulations than any other person.
Jim served three terms as Director of the Illinois Insurance Department as well as 15 years as Illinois’ Special Deputy Receiver. His background and experience offers a unique perspective of
the industry valued by insurance companies and state regulators alike. A business advisor for many of the largest insurers and reinsurers serving national and international markets, Jim
guides management and boards in strategic planning, company expansion, and transitions.
He is also exceptionally positioned to assist as a consulting expert and provide expert testimony in State and Federal courts on complex legal issues. A frequent presenter at conferences, Jim writes extensively for business publications and serves on the boards of several insurers and professional associations.
LYNNE PRESCOTT HEPLER
Senior Managing Director
As Senior Managing Director, Lynne Prescott Hepler brings more than 30 years of broad-based experience within the insurance industry and insurance regulation. Prior to forming The Schacht Group, Lynne served as a senior member of the Insurance Regulatory practices of both Navigant Consulting and Pricewaterhouse Coopers, specializing in advising national and international financial services clients on insurance and regulatory matters.
Lynne has solved regulatory and compliance issues through every phase of an insurance company’s life cycle, including transactions involving complex insurance issues, day-to-day operating issues, litigation, and strategies to adapt to marketplace changes. She has a particular expertise in assisting insurers review their compliance programs and policies to assess whether they are reasonably designed to meet both internal expectations, as well as those of regulators and other external stakeholders. Lynne is able to identify the most significant regulatory and compliance risks impacting the company’s business, and assist the management team in strengthening its compliance program at both the enterprise and business unit level.