John Sepehri focuses on an array of state regulatory, administrative, legislative, and political law matters with insurance as one of his areas of focus. In the latter regard, in addition to securing approvals of acquisitions of insurers, TPAs, and producers from the Texas Department of Insurance and advising clients on all manner of insurance regulatory compliance, John also assists clients with the regulatory side of transactions and has spearheaded the regulatory analysis and due diligence for multiple multi-state insurance transactions.
John has worked with his Foley colleagues to help secure wins for his clients against state agencies or to minimize the severity of enforcement actions, as well as having successfully helped clients achieve many affirmative and defensive legislative goals in the Texas legislative process.
In recent years, much of John’s work has also involved providing clients with legal advice and legislative representation in connection with the increasing array of state-level Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) laws.
John has significant experience with an array of specific state agencies or bodies, including the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Legislature, the Office of the Governor of Texas, the Office of the Secretary of State of Texas, and the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner of Texas. He’s also been involved in representing clients against the Federal Trade Commission.
Prior to joining Foley, John served as general counsel to the Texas Apartment Association and was a member of its government relations team, as well as having served as general counsel to a statewide official (former Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade) in the administration of former Texas Governor Rick Perry. As a result of those experiences and his long-term involvement in civics and public affairs, John has relationships throughout Texas state government and political circles.
John also practiced business law with other national or regional law firms prior to his time at Foley and therefore has a strong understanding of a variety of business transactions and the civil justice system. In the latter regard, he also clerked for United States District Judge Paul Brown in the Eastern District of Texas.
Awards and Recognition
- Graduate of The ATXelerator’s second class for community leaders (2019)
- Leadership Austin Essential Class Graduate (2010)
- Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas, D Magazine (2006)
Affiliations
- Member, State Bar of Texas
- Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
Community Involvement
- Lead point of contact for Foley Austin office’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area