Profil
Fred Karlinsky is a Shareholder and Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Insurance Regulatory and Transactions Practice Group. He also serves on Greenberg Traurig’s Executive Committee. 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 the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), where six of the seven sitting Justices of the Florida Supreme Court have been appointed during Fred’s tenure on the JNC. Fred previously chaired the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission from 2022-2025.
Concentrations
- Insurance regulatory law
- Insurance transactional matters
- Insurance legislation
- Executive, legislative and municipal government affairs
- Governmental law
- Corporate representation
- Health care
Kluczowe Praktyki
Doświadczenie
- Represented a brokerage firm and its affiliated funds in connection with the acquisition of a national life insurance organization headquartered in New York, including conducting due diligence, negotiating the purchase agreement, and managing the regulatory approval process.
- Represented a major regional insurance company in connection with its merger with a large national insurance provider, including negotiating the merger agreement and advising on the regulatory approval process to complete the transaction.
- Regularly represent and advise clients in responding to and negotiating market conduct investigations initiated by insurance regulators throughout the country.
- Supported the acquisition of a portfolio of continuing care retirement communities, including several facilities subject to Florida regulation. We advised on the Florida regulatory components of the transaction, including the change of control process before the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation and the regulatory considerations related to a new financing arrangement for the facilities. Following successful approvals, we continued to support the client by providing local counsel opinions across corporate, real estate, and insurance and health care regulatory matters tied to the financing structure.
- Served as insurance counsel to a global private equity firm in connection with its announced majority investment in a technology-enabled provider of residential lease guarantee solutions, including platforms leveraging artificial intelligence for underwriting in the rental housing market.
- Advised and represented a southeastern regional insurer with multi‑state admitted expansion licensure in over a dozen states and to secure additional licensures as a non-admitted insurer in the remaining states.
- Assisted a Florida-domiciled insurance company with multi-state expansion by preparing and filing applications for licensure as a foreign property and casualty insurer in multiple jurisdictions, including securing home-state regulatory approval and coordinating filings with additional state insurance regulators.
- Advised a national insurance company in connection with an internal investigation arising from a whistleblower complaint, including conducting an independent review of high‑value commercial insurance programs and advising on internal compliance protocols and procedures.
- Advised a top‑five title insurance company on its redomestication. This transaction included the concurrent merger of affiliated title insurers into the redomiciled entity to facilitate surplus consolidation and operational streamlining.
- Represented a national insurance company in connection with its acquisition of another insurer for a purchase price of approximately $87.7 million, providing regulatory and transactional advice and securing approval of the transaction from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
- Advised an insurance program manager on the formation and capitalization of a domestic surplus lines reciprocal insurance exchange offering property insurance nationwide, including securing initial funding from a private investment firm and obtaining regulatory approvals across its state of domicile and 47 U.S. jurisdictions to transact surplus lines insurance.
- Advised a property and casualty insurer in connection with its assumption of a significant block of policies from an insolvent carrier following receivership, including securing regulatory approvals from state insurance authorities to acquire the majority of the carrier’s regional book of business.
- Advised a property and casualty insurer on raising a $35 million senior credit facility with a regional bank, supporting the company’s continued growth and technology development and building on capital previously secured through its venture-backed Series A financing.
- Represented the official committee of unsecured creditors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases involving an insurance-focused entity and its affiliated debtors, pending in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, arising from significant insurance-related issues tied to alleged fraudulent letters of credit.
- Advised a property and casualty insurer on multiple large-scale policy assumption transactions under a state-run residual market insurer take-out program, including the assumption of approximately 250,000 policies in one year, more than 190,000 policies in a subsequent year, and an additional 250,000 policies in a later phase, significantly expanding the company’s market presence. Also represented the insurer’s publicly traded holding company in connection with its initial public offering, including the sale of shares by existing stockholders, and continue to advise on insurance regulatory, capital markets, securities compliance, and corporate governance matters.
- Advised an international insurance underwriting group in connection with the formation, capitalization, and licensing of a reciprocal insurance exchange domiciled in a U.S. state, including coordinating with state insurance regulators on the licensing application and related regulatory filings, negotiating with third-party investors, and advising on the issuance of a surplus note.
- Advised a managing general agent on licensing applications before a state insurance regulator, including coordinating regulatory approvals for the agent and its carrier partners underwriting policies under a state-run residual market insurer take-out program and new business, and securing approval for a carrier partner’s participation in the take-out program.
- Advised clients on regulatory and licensing matters involving continuing care retirement communities in Florida, including drafting and filing applications and coordinating with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation in connection with multiple acquisition transactions.
- Advised a managing general agent on the formation and licensing of two domestic surplus lines insurers in a U.S. jurisdiction, supporting the company’s transition from managing general agent activities to full-scale insurance carrier operations.
- 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
Wyróżnienia i aktywność zawodowa
- Recipient, Intermediaries & Reinsurance Underwriters Association (IRUA),“Roy G. Nelson Memorial Award”, 2026
- Recipient, Florida Insurance Council, “2025 Mark Trafton Distinguished Service Award," 2025
- 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, 2019-2026
- Insurance Law, 2019-2026
- Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2023-2026
- Listed, Insurance Business America, "Hot 100," 2026
- Listed, Florida Trend’s, “Florida 500,” 2022-2025
- Recipient, Florida State University "Alumni Association Service Award," FSU College of Law, 2024
- Listed, News Service of Florida
- "50 Over 50," 2026
- "Who’s Who in Government Relations," 2025
- Listed, Consult Clarity, “50 Essential Thought Leaders in Insurance in the USA,” 2026
- Recognized, Lexology, "Client Choice Awards," 2025
- 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, 2011-2026
- 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, 2007-2026
- Listed, Thomson Reuters, “Stand-Out Lawyers,” 2023-2026
- 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,” 2021-2024
- 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
Insurance-Related Involvement
- Member, Florida Land Title Association (FLTA)
- Member, Law360's Insurance Editorial Advisory Board, 2018-2021, 2024, 2026
- Member, The Windstorm Insurance Network, Inc.
- Member, Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc.
- External Affairs Committee, 2018-Present
- Former Chair, Cybersecurity Working Group
- Member, Broward Chapter
- Member, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud
- Member, Legal Affairs Committee, 2019-Present
- Advisory Council Board Member, Insurance Advertising Compliance Association
- Member, Education Committee, 2018-Present
- Member, AIDA Reinsurance and Insurance Arbitration Society
- Member, American Management Association
- Member, Insurance Accounting & Systems Association (IASA) Solution Provider Directory
- 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
- Former Member, Site Selection Committee.
- Former Member, Agenda Committee
- Former Member, Administration 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 (SILA)
- Legal Advisor, SILA Executive Board of Directors
- Securities and Insurance Licensing Association Foundation (SILAF)
- Trustee, Regulatory & Organizational Relationships, SILAF Board of Trustees
- 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, 2024
- 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
- 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
- Member, Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission, 2014-Present
- Chair, 2022-2025
- Vice Chair, 2018-2022
- Member, 17th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission, 2011-2014
- Chair, 2013-2014
- Vice Chair, 2012-2013
- Member, American Bar Association
- Business Law Section
- Captive Insurance Committee
- Consumer Financial Services Committee
- Corporate Governance Committee
- Mergers & Acquisitions Committee
- State Regulation of Securities Committee
- Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division
- Health Law Section
- Managed Care and Insurance Committee
- Substantive Interest Groups Committee
- Litigation Section
- Intellectual Property Litigation Committee
- State and Local Government Law Section
- Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
- Chair, Excess, Surplus Lines and Reinsurance Committee, 2025-2026
- Chair-Elect, Excess, Surplus Lines and Reinsurance Committee, 2024-2025
- Insurance Symposium and In-House Summit Task Force, 2025-2026
- Corporate Counsel Committee
- Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
- Insurance Regulation Committee
- Professionals’ Officers’ and Directors’ Liability Committee
- Property Insurance Law Committee
- Business Law Section
- 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, 2023-2025
- 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, 2024-2026
- 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
- Board Member, South Florida 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship Game Host Committee
- Chair, Risk Management Committee
- Sponsorship Sales Committee, 2025-2026
- Vice Chair, Public Affairs Committee, 2025-2026
- Legal Committee, 2025-2026
- Broward Kickoff Luncheon Committee, 2025-2026
- Broward Community Celebration Committee, 2025-2026
- Member, Orange Bowl Committee
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- Vice Chair, Risk Management Committee, 2025-2026
- Audit Committee, 2025-2026
- Vice Chair, Government Relations Committee, 2023-2025
- Finance and Legal Committee, 2024-2025
- Investment Committee, 2023-2024
- Finance Committee, 2023-2024
- Legal Committee, 2021-2026
- Youth Football Alliance, 2022-2023
- Government Relations Committee, 2021-2023
- Football Host Committee A: Team Outings Committee, 2021-2022
- Leadership Academy, 2021-2022
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- Board Member, World Trade Center Miami, 2021-Present
- Vice Chair, World Trade Center Miami, 2025-Present
- Treasurer, World Trade Center Miami, 2022-2024
- Chair, Governance Committee, World Trade Center Miami, 2021-2022
- Florida Constitution Revision Commission, 2017-2018
- Chair, Finance and Taxation Committee
- Member, Rules and Administration Committee
- Member, General Provisions Committee
- Member, Style and Drafting Committee
- Lifetime Member, Leadership Florida
- Chair-Elect, 2026-2027
- Board of Directors, 2023-2026
- Audit Chair and Executive Committee Member, 2025-2026
- General Counsel and Executive Committee Member, 2024-2025
- Development Chair, 2023-2024
- Finance Committee
- Cornerstone Class XXXVI
- Co-Chair, 2020 International Trip to Italy
- Member, Non-Resident Committee, The University Club of New York
- 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
- Member, Forum Club of the Palm Beaches
- Member, The Club at Weston Hills, Social 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
- Member, Economic Club of Miami
- 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
Wykształcenie i uprawnienia do wykonywania zawodu
Wykształcenie
- J.D., Florida State University College of Law
- B.S., University of Miami
Staże
- Law Clerk, 11th Judicial Circuit, Miami-Dade County, Florida, Summer 1991
Uprawnienia
- Florida
- England and Wales (not practising)
- 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
‡
Admitted in Florida and England and Wales. Not admitted in the District of Columbia. Practice in D.C. supervised by shareholders admitted to practice in D.C. Practice limited to Federal Courts and Agencies.
Aktualności, publikacje i wystąpienia
Fred is a contributor to the GT L&E Blog 
and the GT Financial Services Observer Blog 