The National Association of Settlement Purchasers (NASP) held its 3^rd annual conference in Washington DC last month. Once again the event was well attended by structured settlement factoring company executives and in-house counsel, in addition to outside counsel representing factoring companies around the country. The two day program featured presentations by many experienced factoring company leaders, including Earl Nesbitt, Esq., the Executive Director and General Counsel of NASP, Robin Shapiro, Esq., CEO of Encore Financial Services and president of NASP, Andy Hillman, Esq., General Counsel of Washington Square Financial, and Patricia LaBorde, Esq., Division Counsel for Stone Street, among many others. For the second year NASP also invited structured settlement primary market representatives to speak, and we were honored to have presentations by Steve Harris, Esq., of Drinker, Biddle and Reath, and Patrick Hindert of S2KM. Mr. Harris is a preeminent attorney representing insurance companies in disputes against factoring companies around the country. Mr. Hindert, a noted author, cyber-journalist/blogger and former structured settlement broker is one of the “fathers” of the structured settlement industry. Their presentations on the view of factoring from the “other side” were provocative.

One highlight of the conference was the presentation of NASP’s Alexander Hamilton Award to Congressman Eric Cantor of Virginia. Rep. Cantor is a leader in Congress as a key member of the House Ways & Means Committee, and also as Chief Deputy Republican Whip. Prior to his election to Congress, Rep. Cantor was in the Virginia House of Delegates where he was directly involved in early legislation regulating structured settlement factoring. After his election to Congress he was a co-sponsor of the legislation that became IRC 5891, the “federal structured settlement protection act.” In both instances Rep. Cantor was accessible, open-minded, fair and diligent in supporting private property rights while ensuring adequate safeguards against abuse.

If you would like any more information on NASP or the conference, please contact me at mbracy@setcap.com.