Lawley, an independent family-owned insurance broker and employee benefits firm, is proud to appoint Michael Jantzi II, Michael Knott, Kevin Ross, and Michael Ross to partner- level to further drive the success of the agency.

With a career in the insurance and business development sectors since 2010, Michael Jantzi has been instrumental in shaping the Lawley Public Sector and School practice group, fostering strong client partnerships. He is key in helping schools and municipalities negotiate enhancements to their renewal and collective bargaining agreements, grounded in best practices and market trends. Jantzi’s expertise spans various funding methods, including self-funding, which has enabled him to build robust relationships with insurance carriers. Prior to becoming a partner, he was an employee benefits consultant for 10+ years. Jantzi holds a New York State Life, Accident, and Health license and has earned the Group Benefit Disability Specialist (GBDS) designation. In addition to his professional commitments, Jantzi is actively engaged in the Western New York Community as he serves on the board for Kids Escaping Drugs, is a coach with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres organization, and is a 2024 Buffalo Business First 40 Under 40 Honoree.

As the leader of Lawley’s Healthcare Practice Group, Knott manages a team of professionals with experience and understanding of the healthcare industry’s unique exposures. He helps create and implement risk management strategies to lower costs, prevent claims, and provide comprehensive coverage. Knott works with medical groups, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities to develop medical malpractice programs as well as property & casualty, workers’ compensation, crime, fiduciary, and cyber insurance programs. Prior to joining Lawley, Knott served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer at the
Homeless Alliance of WNY, where he assisted in creating Buffalo’s 10-year plan to end homelessness. Knott is a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS), earned a bachelor’s degree from Canisius University, and serves on the board for Restoration Society Inc. and Sisters Hospital Foundation.

Kevin Ross has held a number of positions within Lawley over his 10+ years in the insurance industry, learning all aspects of commercial insurance and risk mitigation. He has become a leader in two of Lawley’s largest property & casualty segments, construction and real estate. Ross specializes in the areas of affordable housing, construction trades insurance, and land & real estate developers’ insurance. He helps both nonprofits and municipal housing authorities navigate the complex world of tax credits. He holds a NYS Property & Casualty Brokers License and is a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). Kevin Ross earned a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University and graduated from Leadership Buffalo.

Through his years at Lawley as a property & casualty insurance advisor, Michael Ross has helped grow Lawley’s construction and real estate divisions. He takes a hands-on approach with clients to tackle their insurance challenges and streamline the evaluation and implementation process to deliver sound insurance options and creative alternatives. Ross guides his clients in implementing robust safety programs to lower the overall cost of risk. Prior to Lawley, Michael Ross was a founder of a wholesale business and brings his expertise gained through working with a variety of entrepreneurs to the insurance field. Ross earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham University.

“Moving into the 4th generation of Lawley’s family business, we’re very proud to name Kevin and Michael Ross as partners. Alongside the leadership of Michael Jantzi and Michael Knott, we’re looking forward to the exciting times ahead,” says Bill Lawley, Jr., Principal of Lawley.

“Each of these leaders has developed a strong niche and bring their expertise to our clients in various industries. We’re extremely proud of our 4 new partners as they help continue the success of our agency for years to come,” says Mike Lawley, Principal of Lawley.