The Balaban Group, LLC,

is a leading independent life insurance, benefits, and estate planning firm in Los Angeles, CA, serving the affluent client base since 1986.

We work closely with the most respected Law Firms, Accounting Agencies, Business Managers, and Wealth Managers in the country.

Uniquely, as part of our proprietary method and at our own expense, we torture-test every scenario with our team of specialists to understand and address any possible risks and vulnerabilities.

Our method openly and effectively collaborates with a client's senior advisors to maintain their integrated and holistic client plans.

The results are high-quality and suitable solutions for ultra-sophisticated planning.

Meet the team

Mark Balaban

Founder and President
Mark Balaban, the founder and president of The Balaban Group, LLC, received his BA from the University Of California, Berkeley, in 1985. He began his career with Northwestern Mutual, where he was the first, second, and third-year leader for the entire company in the Western Region. After six years, he left the company and started his brokerage firm, focusing on estate planning (high net-worth individuals), specialty entertainment coverage/high-limit disability, and non-appearance markets. His firm represents some of the most highly visible people in the entertainment, business, and private sectors. Mark has received numerous awards from the insurance industry for his excellence and is in the top 1% of all insurance brokerages in the country. Mark has two grown children, is a motorcycle enthusiast, avid skier, traveler, and dabbles in guitar.

Zach Wolkstein

Broker and Benefits Specialist
Zach received his BA from The University of Arizona in 2017. Originally from New Jersey, Zach moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the technology industry. After several years working at Uber and with international startup companies, he joined The Balaban Group, LLC in 2021 as an Associate Broker. Zach works with athletes, entertainers, and business owners, providing complex life insurance solutions, high-limit disability strategies, and employee benefit solutions. Zach is a proud member of Provisors and the Young Professionals Network of ACG. In addition, in 2024, Zach was recognized as a Top-Trusted Advisor in the insurance industry in Southern California. Zach is a former athlete, the youngest of three brothers, and Mark's son-in-law. He enjoys traveling, staying active, and music. He is an avid film photographer.

Paul Galichia

Associate Broker
Paul received his BA from Stanford University in 1996. He was a four-year Tennis athlete and was part of the 1996 NCAA Champion Tennis Team. Paul has over a decade of experience developing startups and small companies. He began his career in entertainment, where he founded Tumbleweed Entertainment in 2006, producing animatic works and feature documentary films. 2015, he ventured into technology and founded Basil Street Pizza, a groundbreaking robotic pizza kiosk company. Since then, Paul has helped evolve several companies as a strategic board member and advisor. Paul joined The Balaban Group, LLC in 2022 as an Associate Broker. He is married with two children and enjoys traveling, skiing and surfing.

Kim Boyer

Director of Underwriting and Lead Risk Assessment Underwriter
Kim started her career in 1985 as an underwriter for American Fidelity Assurance, where she then moved to Interstate Assurance Company as a Senior Underwriter and Team leader. After years as a senior underwriter, she moved to Security Life of Denver, where she became Director of Underwriting (managing large case underwriting). Kim joined The Balaban group in 2014, where she is responsible for all medical underwriting (risk assessment), Forensic Underwriting, and managing the entire underwriting team.

Harrison Kidd

Product Design and Advanced Planning
Harisson has a BA from Tufts University. Harrison is a proud “Jumbo,” having played on the football team all 4 years. He holds his Series 6 and 63. Harrison began his career with Prudential, starting on the inbound sales desk and quickly being promoted to an Internal Wholesaler. He supported the top external wholesalers for the Edward Jones Advisor channel there. Harrison earned Pinnacle Honors as Prudential’s leading internal wholesaler for the entire country. Harrison joined The Balaban Group, LLC in 2018, where he specialized in product design and advanced planning.

Sean McNiff

Senior Sales Adviser and Brokerage Manager
Sean has been in the insurance industry for over a decade. Sean is responsible for designing and implementing high-limit disability, life, and non-appearance policies directly with our seat in London (Lloyd's of London) for our entertainment, sports, and high net-worth families and individuals.

Monica Rios

Office Manager and Benefits Manager
Monica has been in the insurance business since 2005. Monica is responsible for the day-to-day operations of The Balaban Group, LLC, overseeing the entire team with policy service, claims, client relationships, underwriting, and placement of coverage. Monica is also fluent in Spanish.

Our Carriers

  • "The Balaban Group has gained our loyalty by exceeding our expectations! Serious problems require serious attention, and The Balaban Group has come through with service and results. We could not be more pleased."
    Skip Farber
    Chief Executive Officer at WSA Global Holdings, LLC
  • "Mark has provided excellent service and great value. Besides that, he's a great human being. I recommend Mark without reservations."
    Carmi Zlotnik
    Executive at Legendary
  • "Mark is an incredibly unique individual. As an insurance broker, I've used him for personal plans and policies and multiple company group plans. Not only will he get your plan organized and administered correctly, but when you're battling intractable insurance companies (and who hasn't gotten the runaround on a claim situation?), he's the guy who will go to bat for you and get things accomplished."
    Matthew Burgess
    Start-Up Founder
  • "The Balaban Group is a great resource. I'm lucky to know Zach - he really knows his stuff. Every time I need clarity on an insurance policy, Zach knows the answer. Especially for high-income and high-net-worth individuals, this is the best option in LA and probably the entire state."
    Jeff Monahan
    Principal Attorney and Founder of Monahan Legal
  • "Mark is a straight shooter, willing to explore options before making recommendations. He is very through and explains what is going on every step of the way."
    Bill Harris
    Business Manager
  • "The Balaban Group always provides excellent services in a timely manner. The team is very professional and always prompt and accurate with feedback. Great service, and we continue to use the company's services."
    Per Solli
    Experienced Entrepreneur and Investor
  • "The Balaban Group provided us with excellent service and highly competitive rates for Blue Cross small group insurance products."
    Shawn Landres
    Municipal Commissioner, Social Entrepreneur
  • "Mark is intelligent, client-oriented, and prompt. I have been very pleased with Mark and his team's work. I highly recommend him."
    Gerald Lunn
    President at Gerald E. Lunn, Jr., a Professional Corporation
  • "This guy knows his stuff! Glad he's on my side."
    Barry Bradley
    Managing Partner at Bradley, Gmelich & Wellerstein LLP
  • "Mark is a great person to work with and always strives to provide real value to his clients."
    Nils H. Rasmussen
    CEO, Solver, Inc.
  • "Mark is the wisest insurance professional I have ever met. He is bright, pragmatic, and easy to communicate with. He has consistently delivered advice that has supported our business in each stage of its development."
    Nick Worth
    COO at Piano
  • "The Balaban Group helped us make informed decisions regarding both health and life insurance coverage. Each choice had alternatives, and we never felt "steered" or oversold."
    Bruce Blumenthal
    Owner, Blue Ridge Props/Trident Realty Advisors Inc.
  • "Mark is extremely knowledgeable in the areas of insurance products. That fact, coupled with his honesty, imbues clients with confidence in his abilities. Mark is always prepared and organized, highly detailed, and results-oriented. Importantly, Mark is personable and committed to customer service."
    Michael Bernstein
    Health Care Law
  • "I have worked with Mark and his team on complicated and sensitive matters relating to clients' insurance policies. He is knowledgeable, diligent, and competent. I do not hesitate to recommend The Balaban Group for life insurance evaluation and administrative matters."
    Norman Green
    Partner at Irsfeld, Irfseld & Younger LLP
  • "Mark is trustworthy, knows his business well, and is beyond reproach with his reputation for doing the right thing. Personally, he is one of the funniest, most energetic, passionate people I have ever met. If you like music, you'll enjoy him for hours on end with his knowledge of music."
    Brian Weidling
    Owner, Tumbleweed Entertainment
  • "Mark has always provided great service and keeps abreast of developments in the insurance market so he can make clients aware of better deals when available. He and his staff are very responsive and good to work with."
    Chris Poole
    CEO Emeritus at JAMS
  • "I've always received great service working with Mark and frequently recommend him to colleagues. His team always goes the extra distance to satisfy customers and knows how to get the job done."
    Joshua Avedon
    CEO/Co-founder at Jumpstart
  • "Mark is a first-rate professional. His advice is always sound. He understands the risk/reward equation and has advised me forthrightly regarding insurance and investment opportunities. He is a confident and competent expert. It also helps that his personality is warm and fun—a true pleasure to work with."
    Michael Gill
    Senior Director, Benefits Application Development at Kaiser Permanente
  • "I have worked with Mark on tax, insurance, investment, and general business issues on and off for the past 7 years. He has always delivered top-notch work and takes an insightful approach to his consulting. Highly recommended."
    James Morel
    Senior Executive Rewards Strategist
  • "The Balaban Group provides excellent insurance options and service. I recommend them without reservation."
    Martin Vann
    Fractional Sales and Growth Executive
  • "Mark does a fabulous job. He has helped me with life insurance, disability insurance, and health insurance both personally and for my company. I would recommend him without hesitation."
    Chris Santas
    Co-Founder at ClearCost Health
  • "Mark is a lovely, great guy and incredibly persistent. He came to me with multiple friends' recommendations, and I feel quite positively about our interaction. He has made several top-tier introductions for me and is an amazing and wonderful human being."
    Richard Titus
    CEO and Entrepreneur
Contact Us
Insurance Company, Located in Los Angeles California, The Balaban Group

Mailing Address:
12021 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 137,
Los Angeles, CA, 90025

Insurance Company, Located in Los Angeles California, The Balaban Group

Phone Number:
+1-(310)-450-7575