Until his agreement to serve as Executive Director, Joseph (Joe) Deems served as a member and Secretary of the Board of Directors of the National Risk Retention Association (NRRA).  He continues to serve as Chairman of the NRRA Government Affairs Committee (GAC), which he took over in 2008.   The GAC generates and manages NRRA’s response to all developing regulatory or legislative changes and judicial matters which would adversely impact risk retention and purchasing groups across the country.  The GAC oversees four (4) other subcommittees.

Mr. Deems has over 41 years’ experience as an attorney licensed to practice before both state and federal courts with an emphasis on insurance law.   His present practice also includes transactional corporate affairs, business formation and regulatory issues.   He frequently serves as a neutral mediator and arbitrator and has testified as an expert witness.  Mr. Deems has been in private practice since 1978.  For six years, he also served as general counsel to a risk retention group.   He is a regular speaker at industry events and has published articles in numerous publications. 

Among other law related and community activities, Joe has served as International Justice (President & Chairman), General Counsel, and on the Executive Board of Directors of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, and that of its wholly owned Public Service Corporation located in Washington, D.C.   He received his J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law and a B.A. from Loyola University of Los Angeles, California.  He lives in Tarzana, California.