Story updated with information from New York State Insurance Department

After a nearly three-year stint in the public sector as a superintendent with the New York State Insurance Department – including a month as the agency’s acting superintendent – Kermitt Brooks has joined AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co.

Kermitt J. Brooks

The New York-based insurer announced Brooks will join its team April 5 as associate general counsel responsible for the insurance products practice group in the AXA Equitable law department.

Brooks joined the NYSID in 2007, serving as first deputy superintendent, responsible for the agency’s life bureau. From July 4, 2009, to August 20, 2009, Brooks served as acting superintendent of the NYSID following the resignation of Eric Dinallo. He was the first African-American to head the department. James J. Wrynn was named Dinallo’s full-time successor by Gov. David A. Patterson.

In December 2009, the NYSID announced that Matthew J. Gaul, its special counsel, was promoted to deputy superintendent of the life insurance division, succeeding Brooks. At that time, the NYSID said the move was part of an ongoing reorganization started previously by Brooks and would give him an opportunity to broaden his focus to other regulatory issues in the state.

David Neustadt, a NYSID spokesman, told IFAwebnews.com Brooks’ has resigned from the department effective April 2 and that he was recused from dealing with all matters related to life insurance in early December 2009, “so that he coud seek employment.”

In his new role with AXA Equitable, Brooks will manage its legal team responsible for insurance products and other matters, as well as play a significant role in the firm’s government relations efforts, according to a statement.

Dave Hattem, AXA Equitable’s general counsel, said in a statement the company is “very fortunate to have someone of Kermitt’s stature and management experience joining our team.

“His experience advising the superintendent and as an advocate for strong, progressive regulation and consumer protection will further enhance our ability to bring new and innovative products to market, and better serve our customers,” Hattem said in the statement. “Kermitt clearly embodies the values that have made the New York Insurance Department a leader in state insurance regulation.”

Prior to his work with the NYSID, Brooks was deputy attorney general of operations for the New York State Attorney General’s Office from 2002 to 2007. He has also held positions at MetLife and the law firm Nixon, Peabody LLP, headquartered in Washington, D.C.