David Kramer is Principal, Gemini Risk Partners LLC, located in Bloomfield Hills, an independent professional liability insurance brokerage specializing in professional liability insurance and risk management for law firms across the U.S. Gemini Risk Partners is the exclusive partner for SwissRe’s legal professional liability program for small Michigan law firms.
A former practicing attorney, Kramer uses his legal background to assist law firms of all sizes with insurance placement, policy structuring, and risk management.
Prior to entering the insurance industry nearly 15 years ago, Kramer practiced law at prominent law firms in Washington D.C. and Detroit.
Kramer is a graduate of Cranbrook, earned his B.A in Honors English from the University of Michigan, and earned his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School.
He serves as a board member at Franklin Hills Country Club, as vice president for Hebrew Free Loan of Metropolitan Detroit, is a member of the board of directors for the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit and previously served as board chair for Orchards Children’s Services. He also was recognized as a Crain’s 40 Under 40 in 2010, was the winner of the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit Wetsman Young Leadership Award, and will receive the Advocate Award from Orchards Children’s Services this month.
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
What would surprise people about your job? That working with lawyers to procure insurance is intellectually stimulating and a great deal of fun!
Why did you become a lawyer? I come from a family of lawyers (my father practices and my grandfather practiced for many decades) so it is in my blood. I have always had a legal mind and thought my talents would translate well into law.
What’s your favorite law-related movie? I tend to stay away from law-related topics for pleasure but who can resist “My Cousin Vinny?” I always smile when I think of Joe Pesci talking about “Two yutes.”
Who are your law role models – real and/or fictional? My grandfather, Hyman Kramer, who built a successful law practice after immigrating from Russia with no money and no knowledge of the English language; and my father, Michael Kramer, who is respected for solving problems by seeing the big picture and not getting mired in the weeds.
What advice do you have for someone considering law school? Go for the right reasons--not going because someone else told you to or you think it will make others happy. If you do not have a reason to go, do not bother. If you go, understand a law degree is helpful in careers outside of practicing law. My law degree helps me a great deal in my work in insurance.
What’s your proudest moment as a lawyer? Being able to use my legal training and experience in private practice to advocate for lawyers and law firms in the professional liability context every day.
What do you do to relax? Read insurance policies (just joking). I enjoy golf and tennis, reading about history, participating in community service, and traveling with my family.
What other career path might you have chosen? I am 6’5” so career paths such as a racing jockey or a flight attendant were not possibilities. My vertical leap is about 3 inches so an NBA career was out of the question. I would have pursued something sales related as I enjoy interfacing with people and helping to provide a solution to a problem. Of course, the only fun sales jobs are those where you believe in what it is you are trying to sell.
What would you say to your 16-year-old self? Do your best in everything and do not be afraid to try new things. You learn the most from your failures.
Favorite websites: www.geminiriskpartners.com of course! I frequently visit the Free Press and ESPN, and news sites including the New York Times.
Favorite music: I listen to a bit of everything but my favorite band is Coldplay. I am ashamed to admit I know a lot of Rap and Hip Hop lyrics from my kids—none of them suitable for print here.
What is your happiest childhood memory? Playing one-on-one basketball with my dad in the driveway for countless hours.
What is your most treasured material possession? My grandfather’s monogramed pocket squares and a copy of my mother’s ferry ticket from Europe to the United States after she and her parents survived the Holocaust.
What do you wish someone would invent? The ability to teleport from place to place.
What has been your favorite year so far and why? I am still waiting for the year when the Lions win the Super Bowl but I may be long gone by that time. I loved my third year of law school when I already had a job lined up and was able to enjoy living in Washington D.C. and hanging out with my now wife and many of my closest friends from GW Law School.
What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve been? Jerusalem, given the history, culture, and religious significance.
What’s one thing you would like to learn to do? Overcome a fear of heights.
What is something most people don’t know about you? I interned in the White House, worked for a member of Congress on Capitol Hill, and started a PAC, all in my 20s.
If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? Abraham Lincoln, Bobby Layne and my maternal great-grandmother
What’s the best advice you ever received? Discover and utilize your strength.
What is your motto? Treat people well and good things will happen to you.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? From a business perspective, creating a successful practice and then buying that practice and creating a standalone business.
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