Retirement and Promotions at ALAS

Mark Gralen, who serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel, has announced his retirement effective August 1, 2025. Mark’s roles of leading the Member Services Department and serving as General Counsel will be separated into two positions. Joe Shereda will be promoted to Senior Vice President – Member Services and Mindy Medley will be promoted to General Counsel.  

Joe joined ALAS and the Member Services Department in 2008 and was promoted to Vice President and Senior Counsel-Member Services in 2011. During his tenure at ALAS, Joe has distinguished himself through outstanding and dedicated service to our member firms in areas ranging from merger guidance to coverage reviews to underwriting assistance. Along with Mark, he has played a leading role in attracting and on-boarding new member firms. Joe is known for his excellent writing skills, keen intellect, and quick wit. With this promotion, Joe will join the Senior Management team. Before joining ALAS, Joe practiced at member firm Jones Day.  

Mindy joined ALAS in 2021 as Senior Counsel – Member Services. She quickly established herself as a versatile contributor to the work of the Member Services Department, including underwriting current and prospective firms. In addition, she has excelled in the role of Assistant General Counsel by providing timely, thoughtful, and pragmatic advice pertaining to a range of regulatory and operational issues. In her expanded role, Mindy will continue to advise the Board and the Senior Management team while maintaining her duties within the Member Services Department. Mindy practiced at Clausen Miller before joining ALAS.  

Mark has served ALAS with distinction for 32 years. He originally joined the Claims Department in 1993 from member firm Schiff Hardin. Mark was an outstanding Claims Attorney and oversaw some of our most significant claims in the 1990s and early 2000s, including those arising from the S&L crisis, dot.com collapse, and corporate fraud implosions. In 2003, Mark was asked to join the Senior Management team and to lead the nascent Member Services Department. In the ensuing 22 years, 81 new firms have joined ALAS, and our insured census has grown from approximately 52,000 lawyers to over 82,500 – the highest lawyer census in our history. And our annual renewal rate has exceeded 98% every year since 2004. In 2014, Mark formally added the General Counsel role to his duties. In that role, he has been a valued and trusted advisor to the Board and Senior Management team.  

Congratulations to Mark, Joe, and Mindy.