Marsh?s settlement with Eliot Spitzer, contingency fees, and whether or not the US Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) will be extended in 2005, are three of the topics likely to be much talked about at the upcoming Risk and Insurance Management Society?s (RIMS) annual conference.

The insurance event of the year ? RIMS draws thousands, including several hundred delegates from Bermuda ? is taking place in Philadelphia from April 17 to 21.

In recognition of these hot topics, RIMS yesterday announced three special sessions devoted to debate on each.

The first, titled ?The Marsh Settlement ? Should Policyholders Opt-in?,? will be held on Monday, April 18, from 3:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. A coverage attorney, claims consultant, and broker representative will discuss the benefits, drawbacks, and potential pitfalls to risk managers who are contemplating participation in Marsh?s recently inked $850 million settlement with New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

?Broker Contingency Fees?What You Should Know, Parts 1 & 2,? is the title for a second session being laid on on Tuesday, April 19, from 9 a.m.to 11.45 a.m. In this seminar, moderated by James E. Crockett, manager of Risk and Benefits, Denver Water Department, and Janice Ochenkowski, senior vice-president, Jones Lang LaSalle, will review types and amounts of contingency fees involved in placement service agreements. In addition, they will examine insightful legal and ethical issues in evaluating broker services.

A panel representing various industry segments will participate in the third session, titled ?Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Update,? on Wednesday, April 20, at 9 a.m. Coordinated by Kristen McGregor, director of Marketing at Wood and Bender LLP, and hosted by David E. Wood, partner, Wood and Bender LLP.

For the second year running, the RIMS committee of the Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC) will also host a special session on what the Island has to offer as ?the world?s risk capital?.

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