Richard T. Freije
Partner
Overview
With more than 40 years' experience advising the insurance industry, Dick Freije is a collaborative business partner to clients on strategic corporate, regulatory, investment, and market conduct matters.
Insurance Corporate & Regulatory Counsel
Dick provides strategic counsel on corporate structure and alternatives, transactions, investments, products, compliance, risk management, market conduct, and reinsurance.
He represents insurance companies of all types, health maintenance organizations, third-party administrators, agents, brokers, investment banks, individuals, and others, including before state insurance departments.
He also counsels on insurance company rehabilitations and liquidations, including representation of the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations in many multistate life, annuity, and health company insolvencies. In addition, Dick works with insurance companies and other entities concerning troubled companies.
In-House Counsel Experience
Dick has served a number of insurance companies as a strategic advisor to management and boards of directors and sometimes as general counsel as an employee or as a Faegre Drinker partner. He served as senior VP, chief administrative and legal officer of one of Indiana's largest life insurers. Dick led the insurer's demutualization and combination with an Iowa-based insurance company and acted as the CEO's chief-of-staff. Currently he serves as a strategic advisor and general counsel to a significant health insurance organization and to an annuity and life insurer that is part of one of the oldest full-service life insurance companies in the Americas.
Service & Recognition
Dick has been a longtime leader in the firm, of the insurance team, and in community service. Best Lawyers in America has recognized Dick for more than a dozen years, including as "Lawyer of the Year" in Administrative/Regulatory Law in 2016, 2019, and 2024.
Personal Interests
In his free time, Dick enjoys sports of all types, politics, and travel and food experiences.
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Indiana
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Education
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
J.D. magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, Indiana Law Journal (note editor) (1984)
Purdue University
B.S.E. (1981)
Insights & Events
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Indianapolis Bar Association
- Indiana State Bar Association
Civic Activities
- Lawrence Township School District — Board Member, 2015-22; Vice President, 2017-19
- Lawrence Township School Foundation — Board Member, 2014-22
- City of Lawrence Redevelopment Commission — Board Member, 2017-22
- Lawrence North High School Men's Soccer Boosters Club — Board Member and Secretary, 2014
- Indianapolis Public School 58 Running Club — Co-founder and Leader, 2009-15
- Lockerbie Central United Methodist Church — Church Council Chair, 2012; Finance Committee Chair, 2011-12
- Lawrence Township Boys Basketball League — Board of Directors, 2003-10
- St. Luke's United Methodist Church — Board of Trustees, 1990-93
- Purdue Chapter of Acacia Fraternity — Building Association Board, Secretary, 1987-92
Firm Leadership
- Deputy Leader, Insurance Practice Group
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Leader, Insurance Group, 2015-20
Honors
- Best Lawyers® — Administrative/Regulatory Law, 2009-26 ("Lawyer of the Year," 2016, 2019, 2024); Corporate Law, 2013-26; Insurance Law, 2013-26
- Indiana University Business Law — Associate Instructor and Graduate Assistant for Professors Eric Richards and Michael Phillips
- Mortar Board
- Omicron Delta Kappa
- Purdue Political Science — Research Assistant for Professor Kenneth Kofmehl
- Purdue Chapter of Acacia Fraternity — President
- Purdue College Republicans — President