Execution of Indemnity Agreements: A Matter of Authority

Includes a Live Web Event on 07/30/2025 at 2:00 PM (EDT)

When a person acts on behalf of a business organization (an LLC, partnership, corporation, etc.), that person must be authorized by the business organization. This concept is critical in cases of executing a General Indemnity Agreement – an enforceable GIA must be an authorized GIA. Hopefully, when the GIA is executed, it is put aside and questions of enforceability never come up. However, if a GIA must be enforced, the steps the surety took at the front end to complete execution of the document will play a big factor in determining the agreement’s enforceability. At the front end, when the GIA is being executed, the surety must ensure that formalities are followed, including the signatories’ authorities. On this Virtual Seminar, Robert Duke, Surety Counsel for Markel Surety, will explore the various basis of authority and apply those concepts to taking indemnity from an LLC, a partnership, and a trust.

Robert J. Duke

Vice President and Legal Counsel

Markel Surety

Robert J. Duke is Vice President and Legal Counsel for Markel Surety. Prior to joining Markel, Rob was Surety Legal Counsel for Euler Hermes North America. Previously, he was General Counsel for The Surety & Fidelity Association of America, the industry trade association for insurance companies that write surety bonds.

Mr. Duke was in the surety and fidelity industry as a company underwriter and broker for 8 years before joining SFAA in 1999. Mr. Duke spent two years working in private law practice.

He has authored several articles on surety and fidelity topics.

Mr. Duke graduated with a J.D. summa cum laude and first in class from Columbus School of Law, Catholic University in 2005. He graduated summa cum laude from Loyola College of Maryland in 1988 with a Bachelors in Business Administration and obtained a Masters in Business Administration from Loyola College in 1992.

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