Douglas I. Friedman
866-464-5525 (Toll free)
Mr. Friedman provides counsel on the legal, ethical, and operational aspects of Social Security disability insurance. He serves life and health insurers as a trusted resource on marketing practices, regulatory compliance requirements, and the development and introduction of new insurance products. His firm acts as National Counsel for Estate and Business Planning for leading insurers across the country.
Mr. Friedman also advises the owners of closely-held businesses and their families on the estate, gift, and income taxation of their personal affairs and businesses.
Mr. Friedman is a nationally known speaker and author. He lectures on disability issues for insurers and disease-specific advocacy groups, such as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Lupus Foundation of America. His presentations are also offered at the Million Dollar Roundtable and life and health insurers’ annual conventions. Mr. Friedman writes a regular column for the National Underwriter, and is an editor for the Journal of Financial Service Professionals.
Areas of Practice
- Social Security, Veteran's Disability Benefits, and Estate Planning
- Life and Health Insurers
- Estate and Business Planning
- Veterans Disability Benefits
- ERISA
- Retirement Benefits
Bar Admissions
- Alabama, 1976
- New York, 1981
- U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, 2009
Education
- Vanderbilt University School of Law, Nashville, Tennessee
- J.D. - 1975
- University of Virginia
- B.A. - 1972
- Honors: Honors History with Distinction
- CLU, The American College - 1978
Published Works
- Selling in Current Market Conditions, National Underwriter, Life and Health Edition, September 7, 2009
- Do Away with Fine Print, National Underwriter, Life and Health Edition, June 15, 2009
- Some Practical Things that Advisors Should Know about COBRA, National Underwriter, Life and Health Edition, May 4, 2009
- Do People Really Cut Back on Life Insurance During Economic Crises, National Underwriter, Life and Health Edition, June 16, 2008
- Professional Designations: The Ethical Issues, (Co-Author), National Underwriter, Life and Health Edition, October 10, 2007
- Is Permanent Individual Life Insurance Passe', National Underwriter, Life and Health Edition, September 24, 2007
- Identifying Issues in Todays Single Employer 419 Plans, National Underwriter, Life and Health Edition, February 2, 2007
- Tips For Advisors On Estate Tax Uncertainties, National Underwriter, Life and Health edition, Web Exclusives, Published at http://www.lifeandhealthinsurancenews.com, 2010
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Alabama Bar Association
- New York Bar Association
- Birmingham Bar Association
- National Organization of Veterans Advocates, Sustaining Member
- National Organization for Social Security Claimants' Representatives, Member
- Association for Advanced Life Underwriting, Associate Member
- Insurance Marketplace Standards Association, Qualified Independent Assessor
- National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Associate Member
- Birmingham Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Associate Member
Pro Bono Activities
- Legal Counsel, Three Hots and a Cot Homeless Veterans' Center
- Birmingham Jewish Community Center, Former Member of the Board of Directors
- Former Member, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health Advisory Board
- Former Advisory Board Chairman, Cooper Green Hospital
- Former Volunteer Lawyers Program Chairman, Birmingham Bar Association
- Former Board of Directors Member, Former Faculty Member, Alabama Federal Tax Clinic
- Former Member of Board of Directors, Birmingham Jaycee Foundation
- Former Member of Board of Directors, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Former Member of Board of Directors, Birmingham Jewish Day School
- Former Faculty Member, Alabama Department of Insurance, Worker’s Compensation Division, Continuing Education Seminars
