"It was a very short tenure, but I think a lot was accomplished," Davis said. "Obviously we still have a long way to go, but I think Steve has put us on the right path."
An Amerigroup official said the company is "delighted" that Larsen is rejoining the company.
"Steve has spent much of his adult life in public service and has had a very distinguished career," said Kent Jenkins Jr., a spokesman for the company.
The successor
Nazarian, who will take over from Larsen, joined the PSC from the Baltimore law office of Hogan & Hartson, where he handled complex business litigation and took part in some high-profile cases. His work before utility commissions was primarily on behalf of telecommunications companies as that industry was transforming under deregulation. Nazarian couldn't be reached for comment yesterday.
Nazarian graduated from Yale and went on to Duke University School of Law, where he graduated in 1991. He then was a clerk for Judge James B. Loken of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.
Though little known in Annapolis, Nazarian handled numerous high-profile cases before Maryland courts. Among them was a 1998 case where he successfully challenged the arrest of paroled inmate Vincent Henderson. Henderson was among dozens who were re-arrested after the state concluded it had incorrectly calculated the amount of good behavior time due some inmates, and prematurely released them. The case resulted in the release of nearly 50 inmates.
Represented state
Nazarian also represented the state in a series of lawsuits against the law firm of Orioles owner Peter G. Angelos. The case related to attorney's fees Angelos was due in connection with national tobacco litigation.
"His experience doing litigation and preparing cases is exceedingly good training for now trying to set policy and decide issues in the regulatory context," said Ralph S. Tyler, Maryland's insurance commissioner.
Tyler worked with Nazarian at Hogan & Hartson and was part of the legal team defending Henderson on the parole case.
He said Nazarian was "deeply involved" in the PSC's recent cases challenging federal regulations.
"I expect that [Nazarian] will lead the commission in a way where it will be fair, but it will be fair in looking out for the public interest," he said.
paul.adams@baltsun.com
Sun reporters Laura Smitherman
and Jay Hancock contributed to
this article.
