W. Mark Wigmore, Managing Director

Background and Experience

Prior to forming Avalon in 2004, Mr. Wigmore served as President and CEO of St Paul Re’s reinsurance operations in the US, UK and Europe. From 1988 through 2002, Mr. Wigmore served in various business and legal capacities within Travelers, most recently as Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel. In addition to his work with Avalon, Mr. Wigmore serves on the Board of Directors of the Electric Insurance Company of Beverly, MA and has chaired the board’s Audit Committee since 2014. Mr. Wigmore received his MBA from the University of Connecticut, his JD from The George Washington University School of Law and his BA from Wittenberg University.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Services

Arbitration

Mark Wigmore has served as arbitrator or umpire in more than 165 commercial arbitration matters, under ad hoc and institutional rules of various ADR organizations.  His arbitration practice areas include: general commercial, contract interpretation, insurance and reinsurance, general corporate, finance, professional liability, energy and environment.

When serving as arbitrator or umpire, Mr. Wigmore ensures the parties receive a fair proceeding that is managed effectively and efficiently.  As appropriate, Mr. Wigmore employs techniques such as witness statements in lieu of direct testimony, summary disposition, and cost-shifting to focus discovery.

Mr. Wigmore maintains the following ADR institutional affiliations as arbitrator/neutral:

• CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals
• AAA Roster of Neutrals
• ARIAS•US Certified Arbitrator and Umpire
• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• FINRA Roster of Arbitrators

Mediation

As mediator, Mr. Wigmore adopts a strong, pro-active approach both in preparation for and during the mediation proceedings, effectively leading the participants to a mutually-acceptable resolution of complex commercial disputes.  Having served in both corporate legal and business executive officer capacities throughout his career, Mr. Wigmore well-understands the different mediation constituencies’ roles and expectations of the process.  To that end, Mr. Wigmore’s mediation philosophy is that meaningful pre-meeting communication with the parties and their counsel results in more productive private sessions, increasing the likelihood of a successful proceeding.

Mr. Wigmore maintains the following ADR institutional affiliations as mediator:

• Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) Accredited Mediator

Reinsurance Consulting and Audit Services

Mr. Wigmore consults with domestic and foreign insurers and reinsurers to assist those companies with the analysis and quantification of large exposure claims which present complex liability and coverage issues. Those matters include: the Christchurch New Zealand Earthquakes, Australian fire, windstorm and hail claims, catastrophe claims arising from electricity and gas generation facilities, automobile residual value claims, hospital malpractice/liability claims, winter damage and ice dam claims, and commercial claims arising from hurricanes and other natural disasters. Representative clients have included Renaissance Re, Partner Re, Axis Re and Validus Holdings.