Mintz Levin Counsels Former CEO and President of John Hancock Life Insurance Company in Deal to Form Financial and Estate Planning Firm

Business Wire, Jan 31, 2006

BOSTON -- Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. today announced that it has represented James M. Benson, former Chief Executive Officer and President of John Hancock Life Insurance Company, in his negotiations with Clark Consulting, Inc., a leading public executive compensation and benefits company, to establish a new venture, Clark Benson, LLC.

Clark Benson, LLC will concentrate on financial planning, wealth transfer and employee benefits, and will be headed by Mr. Benson as its President. The company will focus on the high-net-worth market, offering estate planning and key person life insurance. Its distributor structure will offer its partners two business models: an acquisition model and an affiliate model. Winsor Way Associates, Inc., a company affiliated with Mr. Benson, will hold a 25% ownership stake in the new company. Clark Consulting will hold a 75% ownership stake in the new company and will provide working capital.

Mintz Levin attorneys R. Robert Popeo, Bram Shapiro, Robert Gault and Rahul Kalke, with assistance from attorneys David Halpert, Thomas Greene, Kevin Walsh and Travis Blais, counseled Mr. Benson during the transaction.

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