Joseph M. Hennelly Jr. joined Van Cott & Talamante, PLLC, in 2014. Mr. Hennelly's legal practice includes: insurance insolvency and receivership, insurance business and corporate matters, regulatory representation emphasizing insurance matters and expert witness services in many insurance areas.

In 2013, the Governor appointed Mr. Hennelly as a commissioner on the Industrial Commission of Arizona where he serves as one of five appointees to oversee the Industrial Commission. Mr. Hennelly also served as the Deputy Director of the Arizona Department of Insurance (“ADOI”) from 1988 to 1993. As Deputy Director, Mr. Hennelly was responsible for overall regulatory and administrative functions at the ADOI, including: Supervision of the Assistant Directors of the Rates and Regulations Divisions, Financial Affairs Division, Consumer Affairs and Investigations Divisions, Receivership Division and the Business Office; ADOI liaison with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office on all ADOI legal proceedings; participation on ADOI legislative initiatives before the Arizona Legislature. Mr. Hennelly also participated extensively in activities of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners during his tenure as Deputy Director of the ADOI.

Mr. Hennelly served as an Assistant United States Attorney from 1987 to 1988. Mr. Hennelly served as an Assistant Arizona Attorney General from 1985 to 1987. His duties during his tenure at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office included prosecution of financial fraud matters and representation of various state agencies, including the ADOI.

Mr. Hennelly currently represents the Director of the ADOI in her capacity as receiver of insurance companies. In that capacity, Mr. Hennelly serves as counsel to the Director of the ADOI in connection with winding down the operations of insurers and ensuring protection of policyholders.

Mr. Hennelly is a member of the Federation of Regulatory Counsel, Inc., International Association of Insurance Receivers and a founding Board Member of the Arizona Captive Insurance Council. Mr. Hennelly has formerly served on the Board of Directors of a life insurance company.

Mr. Hennelly graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree Summa Cum Laude from the Honors Program in 1978. Mr. Hennelly graduated from Arizona State University, College of Law, Cum Laude in 1981.

Practice areas

  • Insurance Regulation
  • Receivership Law
  • Insurance Receivership
  • Administrative Law
  • Health Law
  • Insurance

Bar admissions

  • State of Arizona
  • State of Illinois
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, Arizona State University, 1981
  • B.S., summa cum laude, Arizona State University, 1978