SAN FRANCISCO, CA / August 2, 2010 - Equity Risk Partners (ERP), the only full-service insurance brokerage and consulting firm focused exclusively on the needs of the private equity industry, has announced the addition of Joseph Fitzpatrick as Director - Executive Liability. Mr. Fitzpatrick will focus his efforts on the firm's financial institutions practice group, specifically on the brokering and servicing of hedge funds, mutual funds, alternative asset managers and other financial lines.

Mr. Fitzpatrick joins ERP from Frank Crystal & Company, where he was an Associate Director specializing in professional and management liability insurance products for major hedge fund managers including structured credit, event-driven arbitrage, global macro, real estate, equity long-short, emerging markets, activist funds and fund of funds. His expertise has focused on the negotiation, modification, placement, maintenance and client education of various professional and management liability products for over 100 middle market hedge, mutual, and private equity funds, broker dealers, investment advisors, and family offices.

"Joe is a wonderful addition to the Equity Risk Partners team," said Michael Marcon, Founder and CEO. "His experience and knowledge in the financial services sector, particularly in the alternative asset space, provide an important facet to our management team as we continue to respond to our clients' growth in this arena."

Mr. Fitzpatrick is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and a former service member of the United States Navy Submarine Force. He will be based out of the firm's New York office. He can be reached directly at (646) 430-9105 or jfitzpatrick@equityrisk.com.

More information about Equity Risk Partners is available at www.equityrisk.com.