2017 GLSA NOMINEES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brian Caron
Benjamin
Farrow
I am a current board member and long standing member of the GLSA. I currently serve as the
General Counsel and VP of Hyatt Legal Plans. My track record of involvement with GLSA and
the legal plans industry as a whole make me a strong candidate. I have not only had many
roles during my time at Hyatt Legal Plans, including running our attorney network and selling
legal plans, but also spent significant time as a Panel Attorney representing individuals who
were members of a legal plan.
I have been a frequent presenter at GLSA conferences and an advocate for the organization. I
have been an active board member willing to share new ideas and experiences with the group.
If re-elected I would like to continue to bring my unique perspective as well as continue
working on increasing membership in our changing organization, and being an advocate for
legal plans as part of the ABA going forward.
Benjamin Farrow was born in Uvalde, Texas and raised in Idaho, Colorado and Louisiana. He
graduated from Tulane University in 1988 and Louisiana State University Law School in
1992. He started practicing as an admiralty lawyer in New Orleans doing work for Lloyds of
London and other international insurers, ship owners and suppliers. In 2002 he accepted
employment with The Anderson law Firm and became a shareholder in 2006. The Anderson
Law Firm’s largest client is LegalShield and while the work has been financially rewarding it has
also fulfilled his requirement that the work be challenging and intellectually interesting. Ben
enjoys working with his brother and sister firms across the country and has made many friends
that will remain so for life. In 2016 he was admitted to the Mississippi bar and the firm opened
its Jackson, Mississippi office in September 2016. He regularly travels between Montgomery
and Jackson and oversees the work of both offices. The challenges of practicing in three states
and keeping clients happy is something he enjoys every day, some more than others. He
enjoys zymurgy, probability and skiing in his time off.
What I want to do on the GLSA Board-Short answer:
Shout from the Roof Tops that group legal plans are a viable solution to technological change
and economic headwinds facing the legal profession. Continue the push to work with the
young lawyers division. Increase GLSA’s web presence. Continue the work regarding Legal
Checkups.
Slightly Longer Answer:
I don’t think anyone disputes that the practice of law is changing in a very fundamental
way. The twin drivers of these changes are technology and the increasing cost of legal work
(aka access to justice issues). These drivers will continue to encroach on traditional
practices. The delivery model of Group Legal Plans is the solution. The world needs to know
that. I would like to make sure that the very unique and cost effective delivery of legal services
that a group legal plan affords be promoted in every channel possible. Young lawyers face
unique challenges in obtaining clients and keeping their offices open. GLSA is a natural fit for
those issues since group plans have referrals and need practitioners of all sizes and geographic
locations. Thus, I would like GLSA continue its push to work with the Young Lawyers
Division. It seems a strong internet presence is crucial given today’s legal consumers and the
current legal market. I would like to enhance GLSA’s web presence. GLSA is in a exceptional
position to address the access to justice problem, especially when coupled with emerging
technological advances. We need to explore ways to exploit this new legal world. I would like
to see GLSA become a vocal spokesperson proudly announcing our very effective delivery of
very low cost solutions. Also, I am also keenly interested in continuing Mrs. Norris’ work
regarding Legal Checkups.
2017 GLSA NOMINEES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve Ginsberg
Tom Martin
Stephen Ginsberg is the Executive Director of Unifor Legal Services Plan (“ULSP”), formerly
the Canadian Auto Workers Legal Services Plan. He has been involved in all aspects of ULSP
operations since its inception in 1985.
ULSP provides benefits to 83,000 active and retired members (and their spouses and
dependents) employed at GM, Ford, FCA and 26 other Unifor-represented workplaces in
Canada. ULSP delivers legal services using its own five staff offices located in Ontario and a
panel of approximately one thousand Co-Operating Lawyers throughout Canada who agree
to charge fees in accordance with the ULSP Fee Schedule.
Stephen has been active in GLSA (formerly API) for over twenty-five years, and has been
a member of the Conference Committee for most of them. He is a former API President and
a former Conference Chair. He currently serves as Treasurer on the GLSA Board of
Directors.
Prior to joining ULSP, Stephen practised criminal law in Toronto (both trial and appellate
work), He was also Counsel to the Metropolitan Toronto Public Complaints Commission and
Police Complaints Board, presenting cases to a civilian tribunal that had the power to
discipline police officers.
My goals for my term on the Board, should I be elected, and what I’ve done already:
During my past three years on the board I served in several capacities - treasurer, chair of
the website review committee, and a very active member of the conference committee,
in charge of the speaker Requests for Proposals. If elected, I will continue to be an active
board member and conference committee member. I will continue to come to meetings
well-prepared, so that I can make thoughtful contributions. I will continue to serve in
whatever roles the incoming GLSA President wants me to assume.
I am a member of GLSA and chair of its Education sub-committee.
I have volunteered for GLSA over the past year. I have created monthly teleconferences
with lawyers and thought leaders in the legal industry. I have also authored multiple blog
articles to educate GLSA members about how to improve their practices and better utilize
GLSA benefits. I have been an ARAG network attorney for approximately 8 years. In the
past, I volunteered on the advisory board of Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach and
the board of the Estate Planning and Trust Council of Long Beach each for several years.
I am Hispanic and I feel I can bring a different perspective to the board. I also have a
strong background in legal tech and this is the future of the profession.
My goals:
 Increase membership and member retention by creating value through education.
 Advocate use of technology to make lawyers more efficient and increase access to
justice.
2017 GLSA NOMINEES FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pat Monks
I graduated from the University of Houston 1981, BBA Received my Doctorate of
Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law 1984. Licensed to practice law in Texas,
and the Southern and Northern Federal District Court of Texas. I first became involved
with legal plans in Dallas, Texas in 1989 representing clients with traffic tickets. In 1992, I
became the regional provider for traffic defense for Prepaid legal for 20 counties in Texas.
It wasn’t until 2007 that I discovered the American Prepaid Legal Services Institute at a
mini conference in Houston, Texas. I attended my first conference in Washington D.C.
And have attended almost every API conference since joining. I served on the
membership committee and successfully recruited 20 professional members to the API. I
was elected to the board in 2009. I attended every board meeting. And in 2011, I actively
participated in a state of the Industry working group in Denver, Co. At this meeting, the
new name was conceived of Group Legal Services Association. I became president of the
GLSA in 2014, and was instrumental in incorporating our new website.
Since rolling off the board, I have become active rebranding our Texas Traffic Lawyers
association. I also created the groups new website and worked on the conference
committee. I was instrumental in bringing GLSA speakers to speak before this Texas group
to recruit new members to attend the GLSA conference. I have participated and provided
mini conferences in Galveston and Dallas, Texas for the GLSA.
I represent more than 20 plans across the country. I’m active in the International arena
of Legal plans. I attended the International Legal Expense Insurers conference in Brussels,
Belgium and Montreal, Canada. I was a presenter at the Brussels conference in 2015
representing the GLSA. And I arranged for GLSA to have Len Feltoon present in Montreal.
I love this industry and look forward for ways that I can increase the plans participation in
this country. Everyone should have a legal plan. Because access to justice is paramount
for us all.