Let’s take care of business. Get your free risk analysis or quick quote now.
Take the first step and ask for insurance solutions that match your needs. It is quick and easy. Don’t worry – we won’t hound you. We know an online form is more of a swipe right than a marriage proposal.
Time is money. Get your quick quote now and get back to work doing what you do best. Leave the insurance to us.
Let’s face it – mistakes happen. And when they do, a professional liability policy will respond to claims to protect your business and help pay expenses related to the mistake (or to fight a false claim). It works as a safety net over your company’s bottom line. Sometimes, this policy is called Malpractice Insurance or Errors & Omissions Coverage. We call it “Professional Liability” because professional is our middle name, and your liability is our sworn enemy.
Stop spending endless money fighting a claim.
Stop worrying about how you will pay for unforeseen claims.
Keep running your business knowing you're protected.
Build a buffer between your business and your personal finances.
If you are asking us – we think All Business Professionals. Any business providing a professional service where mistakes, even perceived mistakes, are a possibility can get sued. Recent trends show professionals being sued at least once in their career. We specialize in helping law firms, accounting firms, architecture firms and title agencies so there is a good chance we can help your business as well.
We thrive on building creative risk solutions and business support services to help our clients grow and succeed. Our team is a proud group of insurance gurus who know professional liability backwards and forwards. This may make us a yawner at dinner parties, but we know there is nothing funny about business risk without business insurance.
Insurance for data breaches and other cyber events that affect your business
Insurance for employee medical expenses and lost wages when someone is injured on the job.
Insurance for vehicle damage and driver injuries resulting from vehicles used for your business.
Insurance for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage resulting from your business operations.
Insurance for corporate directors and officers to protect them personally if they are sued for wrongful acts in managing your business.
Insurance for wrongful acts related to your business employment process such as wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.
Insurance for breaches of fiduciary duty in managing or administering your employee benefits.
Insurance for crimes related to your business such as employee dishonesty, theft or forgery.
Insurance providing your business with additional coverage above and beyond the limits of other liability policies.
Build a competitive benefit strategy and make your employees and your bottom line happier. Not ready to make a change but curious to learn more? Get started now – no strings attached. Seriously, no strings attached.
For your business, employee benefits are a critical factor in recruiting and retaining talented people. Gilsbar Consultants work with you to design benefit plans that succeed every time.
Employers are tired of subpar benefit agencies, pushing outdated benefit strategies, fueling rising costs and delivering service that leaves Human Resources teams stranded. It must stop, and we agree. We are tired of it, too. Our consulting and service approach is built on honest assessments, realistic goal setting, an awareness of your corporate culture priorities, creative benefit designs and strong relationships. We love our job, and we want to work for you.
Local Agency with a National Footprint
Creative, Cutting-Edge Benefit Solutions
Technology-Driven Enrollment Management
Assigned Account Management Team
Full-Service Benefit Offerings
Telephonic healthcare concierge service to help your employees navigate through their benefits.
Communicate with your employees on the channel they are already using – their smartphone. Also, take advantage of our marketing services, and transform your benefit communications from paper weights to useful tools.
Human Resource team members love using our online benefit administration tools to manage new hires or Open Enrollment. Already have technology tools in place? That’s no problem. We are happy to sync our efforts with existing tools.
Telephonic healthcare concierge service to help your employees navigate through their benefits.
Give your employees better access to healthcare by exploring low-cost telemedicine solutions or build programs which incentivize your employees to get more out of life. These programs improve employee loyalty and plan performance.
Insurance for data breaches and other cyber events that affect your business
Insurance for employee medical expenses and lost wages when someone is injured on the job.
Insurance for vehicle damage and driver injuries resulting from vehicles used for your business.
Insurance for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage resulting from your business operations.
Insurance for corporate directors and officers to protect them personally if they are sued for wrongful acts in managing your business.
Insurance for wrongful acts related to your business employment process such as wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.
Insurance for breaches of fiduciary duty in managing or administering your employee benefits.
Insurance for crimes related to your business such as employee dishonesty, theft or forgery.
Insurance providing your business with additional coverage above and beyond the limits of other liability policies.
Insurance providing your business with additional coverage above and beyond the limits of other liability policies.
Take the first step and ask for insurance solutions that match your needs. It is quick and easy. Don’t worry – we won’t hound you. We know an online form is more of a swipe right than a marriage proposal.
For more than half a century, Gilsbar has offered insurance service solutions and support for businesses and their employees. We are a family-owned and operated business with humble beginnings and a bright future. We remain committed to our founding values.
We focus on our clients' interestes and always work:
Henry Miltenberger founded the company in 1959 as a partnership with the Louisiana State Bar Association (giving Gilsbar its name: Group Insurance Louisiana State Bar). This partnership launched a national insurance services provider. We are honored to continue to serve our very first customer, the LSBA, along with many other distinguished clients over the decades. We hope you will be one of them!
We believe in doing the right thing by those we serve. Our team of thought leaders approach each client proactively, with ingenuity and foresight. We build partnerships that truly matter.
We are fearless leaders. We believe actions speak louder than words, and that servant leadership is the best kind. We strive to lead by example and work hard to build opportunities for our clients and our team members.
President, CEO
Ryan Haun
President & CEO
Ryan joined Gilsbar in 2012 and during that time has directed business development, management and strategy for all aspects of the Property & Casualty and Group Benefits divisions. Additionally, he has contributed to all other aspects of corporate leadership and strategy during his tenure. The role of President and CEO transitioned to Mr. Haun in January 2021 as the culmination of a lengthy succession established by his predecessor.
Prior to Gilsbar, he owned an insurance restoration company performing contracting work throughout the Southeast and Midwestern US. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Drafting and Design from Missouri State University.
Vice President, CFO
Becky Pathoumthong
Vice President, CFOBecky joined Gilsbar in 2017 and is responsible for the financial and people side of the business, coordinating both finance and human resources to achieve company goals. With over 25 years of experience in the accounting sector, Ms. Pathoumthong worked at Arthur Andersen, Stryker Corporation, and Alfasigma USA, Inc. prior to joining Gilsbar. She is a member of the Society of Louisiana CPA’s and received her Bachelor of Science in management with a concentration in accounting from Tulane University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Senior Director of Compliance and Corporate Counsel
Brian Esser
Senior Director of Compliance and Corporate Counsel
Brian brings a distinguished career as in-house counsel, having held senior legal roles across a variety of industries. He has consistently provided business-focused legal solutions while navigating complex legal, regulatory, and operational challenges for large, multi-brand organizations. Brian earned a B.S. in Accountancy from Creighton University and a J.D. from the University of Louisville. He currently resides in Metairie, LA, with his wife, Jessica, and their daughter, Cyla.
Senior Director of Sales & Marketing
Rachel Welch
Senior Director of Sales & Marketing
With over 12 years of industry experience, Rachel oversees our group benefits and property & casualty sales teams, as well as Gilsbar’s corporate marketing strategies and client services. She enjoys helping people and businesses discover and understand insurance solutions that meet their needs. She received two Bachelor of Arts degrees in English Literature and Communication Studies from Bryan College. She currently resides in New Orleans, LA.
Go New Orleans Pelicans!
Director of Finance
Stephen Messenger
Director of Finance
Stephen has been with Gilsbar since 2017 and has over 15 years of experience in Audit, Corporate Accounting, Cost Accounting, Financial Planning, and Reporting & Analysis. As the Director of Finance, Stephen currently leads Gilsbar's Accounting and Finance team, where he has enhanced financial reporting and developed analyses to support the strategic finance goals of the company. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University and is a Louisiana Certified Public Accountant (CPA). When he isn't keeping Gilsbar's finances in check, Stephen enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons in Covington, LA.
Director of Operations
Megan Motichek
Director of Operations
As the Director of Operations, Megan oversees our renewal sales and operations teams. She has been in the business for over 15 years and focuses on cultivating a culture of excellence. She believes in service and is always searching for ways to exceed client expectations. Megan resides in Orange Beach, AL with her husband and two children.
Director of Marketing & Distribution
Diana Derbas
Director of Marketing & Distribution
Diana Derbas serves as Director of Marketing & Distribution, leading initiatives focused on brand growth, marketing performance, distribution strategy, and corporate communications. With more than 30 years of experience, she has built a diverse career spanning marketing, operations, technology, compliance, and organizational leadership. Beginning in marketing and client services, Diana expanded into enterprise project management and strategic transformation initiatives, helping organizations navigate change and improve performance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a specialization in Public Relations and Advertising and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Manager of Information Technology
Justin Wunder
Manager of Information Technology
Justin has been with Gilsbar since 2016 and has over 8 years of experience in technology infrastructure and cyber liability. He works as Gilsbar’s Manager of Information Technology providing strategic oversight of corporate-wide information technology activities. Justin specializes in leadership, cybersecurity, cloud computing, user support, infrastructure and telecommunications. His IT experience began as a Microsoft Student Partner during his tenure at Louisiana Tech University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems in 2015. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three children in Robert, LA when he isn’t protecting Gilsbar from cyber threats or standing up for new technology solutions.
Director of the Sub Production Division
Vanessa Phillips
Director of the Sub Production Division
Vanessa Phillips is the Director of the Sub Production Division at Gilsbar, where she began her insurance career in 2005. Over the past 20 years, she has built a reputation as a trusted partner to brokers, known for her responsiveness, market expertise, and commitment to delivering results. Brokers value her collaborative approach, accessibility, and dedication to helping them meet their clients' needs. Prior to returning to Gilsbar to help grow its Professional Liability business, Vanessa held leadership roles with Ironshore, Liberty Mutual, and Pearl Insurance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of New Orleans.
Are you interested in a career at Gilsbar? Click below to learn more about our company, culture, benefits and job openings.
2100 Covington Centre, Suite A
Covington, LA 70433
P.O. Box 998
Covington, LA 70434
985.892.3520
800.906.9654
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Clear, written documentation of the lawyer-client relationship is among the most effective risk-management measures available to a law firm. Engagement letters define the firm’s responsibilities and the client’s duties, and they help clients understand how the representation will proceed. When clients understand the terms of the relationship, the risk of unmet expectations—and the disputes, professional-liability claims, or disciplinary complaints that can follow—is reduced. Documentation can also help resolve disagreements about the scope of representation, fees, or other material terms. When a claim arises, the absence of contemporaneous documentation rarely favors the firm. Judges and juries expect law firms to memorialize the material aspects of the attorney-client relationship.
Accordingly, law firms should use clear, precise language in engagement letters and related documents to promote a relationship that proceeds as intended. Ambiguities in firm-drafted language may later be construed and applied in ways the firm did not anticipate or would prefer to avoid.
We created “The Law Firm Letters Toolset” to help law firms memorialize each phase of the attorney-client relationship. Part I includes sample engagement letters, optional engagement-letter clauses, and related correspondence that can assist firms in managing risk through consistent, well-crafted documentation. Part II of “The Law Firm Letters Toolset,” planned for publication later in 2026, will include sample engagement letters by practice area, along with additional sample letters that law firms may find useful.
“The Law Firm Letters Toolset” is intended for a national audience of lawyers and law firms. Do not use the sample language in this guide without first reviewing the rules and law of the relevant jurisdiction to confirm that the language you adopt complies with applicable requirements.
Click here to download the full toolset.
Select a letter below to download a sample template.
Solutions
Business Insurance
It's your business. Protect it at all costs. Our business insurance coverage protects you and your assets when you need it the most.
Employee Benefits Consulting
Employee Benefits done right should attract and retain strong talent, while not costing an arm and a leg. Sounds impossible? Let us show you how.
We keep our promises to our clients and work with integrity in all that we do. Expect nothing but straight answers from us.
We are downright obsessed with insurance and are constantly cooking up new solutions unlike anything else in the market.
Clients are the main event around Gilsbar. We never take our partnerships for granted. We look for ways to add value and offer solutions.
Take the first step and ask for insurance solutions that match your needs. It is quick and easy. Don’t worry – we won’t hound you. We know an online form is more of a swipe right than a marriage proposal.
ChatGPT is a natural language-based processing tool via a chatbot that allows users to obtain answers to questions and to gain assistance drafting written communications of all sorts. Additional benefits of ChatGPT include automating repetitive tasks and conducting comprehensive data searches within seconds.
An effective advance conflict waiver may permit lawyers to take on matters adverse to a client without the need for a subsequent waiver from that client and may limit exposure arising from a conflict of interest. Click here to read more for helpful suggestions for the possible use of advance waivers.
