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New insurance commissioner in Tennessee

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has named a Nashville attorney, Leslie Shechter Newman, as commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Insurance. She succeeds Paula Flowers, who recently resigned.

Newman is a partner with Nashville’s Farmer & Luna law firm. She has worked in private and public practice, including local and state regulatory law, for 26 years. She served with the Metropolitan Nashville Department of Law from 1994 to 2000; during that time, she advised the Office of the Mayor and supervised the Metro Law Department’s staff. Newman is a Johns Hopkins University graduate.

“I’m committed to maintaining the important balance between consumer protection and an open business environment that will benefit all Tennesseans,” Newman said.

The Department of Commerce and Insurance includes a wide variety of regulatory and licensing programs governing insurance, securities and more than two dozen occupational categories. It also contains the state Fire Marshal’s Office, the E-911 Board, TennCare Oversight, Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, P.O.S.T. Commission and TLETA.

Its mission is to enforce statutory and regulatory standards to assure public safety, a balanced and fair business climate, and the protection of consumers.