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James J. Tanous serves as executive vice president secretary and general counsel of Erie Insurance a regional property/casualty and life insurer based in Erie Pa. He has been a member of the board of directors of Erie Insurance Company of New York since its inception in 1995.
Tanous is a member of the office of the president and participates in setting the strategic direction priorities and long-term goals of Erie Insurance. As general counsel he provides legal guidance for company operations and directs governmental and legislative affairs. This work brings him in frequent contact with the legislatures and insurance commissioners of the 11 states in which Erie Insurance operates.
Tanous’ previous experience includes Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP Attorneys at Law in Buffalo New York where he served as chairman of the firm’s executive committee and partner in the business and corporate practice group. He has more than 30 years of experience representing publicly traded companies both domestic and international. Erie is one among many property & casualty insurance companies he has represented. Tanous has also served as counsel to directors officers and board committees of private and public companies providing advice and counsel on myriad issues confronting directors and officers including corporate governance issues director’s and officer’s indemnification coverage and issues presented by regulatory authorities such as state insurance departments and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Tanous earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and English from St. Bonaventure University as well as a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. | 