<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 8, 1999
Registration No. 333-75197
================================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________
Amendment No. 2 to
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
__________________
ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 6411 36-2151613
(State or other (Primary Standard (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Industrial Classification Identification
incorporation or organization) Code Number) Number)
Two Pierce Place, Itasca, Illinois 60143-3141, (630) 773-3800
(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
John C. Rosengren, Esq.
Vice President and General Counsel
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Two Pierce Place
Itasca, Illinois 60143-3141
(630) 773-3800
(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Please Send Copies of All Communications to:
Kurt W. Florian, Jr., Esq.
Katten Muchin & Zavis
525 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
(312) 902-5200
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time
to time after the effectiveness of this registration statement.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act,
check the following box. [X]
As permitted by Rule 429, the prospectus in this registration statement
constitutes post-effective amendment no. 4 to registration statement no. 33-
58101 which became effective April 24, 1995, post-effective amendment no. 3 to
registration statement no. 333-1435 which became effective March 27, 1996 and
post-effective amendment no. 2 to registration statement no. 333-23879 which
became effective March 25, 1997.
We hereby amend this registration statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until we shall file a further amendment
which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter
become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933
or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the
Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
================================================================================
<PAGE>
The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.
We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting any offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 8, 1999
PROSPECTUS
[LOGO]
ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO.
2,509,162 SHARES
COMMON STOCK
__________________
This prospectus relates to 2,509,162 shares of our common stock which we
intend to issue in connection with future acquisitions of other businesses or
properties.
Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading
symbol AJG. The last sales price of our stock on July 7, 1999 was $49.50
per share.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
__________________
Prospectus dated July ____, 1999
<PAGE>
This prospectus incorporates important business and financial information
that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus. This information is
available without charge to security holders upon oral or written request to
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Two Pierce Place, Itasca, Illinois 60143-3141,
Attention: Investor Relations (Tel. (630) 773-3800). To ensure timely delivery
of the information, please make any request at least five days before the day
you must make your investment decision. See "Where You Can Find More
Information."
__________________
We have not authorized any person to provide information or make any
representation about this offering that is not in this prospectus. Prospective
investors should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. This
prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an offer to buy these
securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is prohibited.
Information in this prospectus is correct only as of its date, regardless of
when any later offer or sale occurs.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
The Company............................................................ 3
Selected Consolidated Financial Data................................... 3
Plan of Distribution................................................... 4
Available Information.................................................. 5
Where You Can Find More Information.................................... 5
Validity of Common Stock............................................... 6
Experts................................................................ 6
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
THE COMPANY
We provide insurance brokerage, risk management, employee benefit services
and other related services to our clients in the United States and abroad. Our
principal business is the negotiation and placement of insurance for our
clients. We also specialize in furnishing risk management services. Risk
management involves assisting clients in analyzing risks. This analytical
process involves determining whether proper protection is best obtained through
the purchase of insurance or through retention of all or a portion of those
risks and the adoption of corporate risk management policies and cost-effective
loss control and prevention programs. Risk management services also include
claims management, loss control consulting, property appraisals and insurance
related investigative services. We believe that our ability to deliver
comprehensively structured risk management and brokerage services is one of our
major strengths.
We operate through a network of approximately 200 offices located
throughout the United States and six countries abroad and through a network of
correspondent brokers and consultants in more than 100 countries around the
world. Some of these offices are fully staffed with sales, marketing, claims and
other service personnel; others function as servicing offices for our brokerage
and risk management service operations. Our international operations include a
Lloyd's broker and affiliated companies in London, England and other facilities
in Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Scotland and Papua New Guinea.
We were founded in 1927 and were reincorporated as a Delaware corporation
in 1972. Our principal executive offices are located at Two Pierce Place,
Itasca, Illinois 60143-3141, and our telephone number is (630) 773-3800.
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data for each of the five
years in the period ended December 31, 1998 have been derived from our
consolidated financial statements. Such data should be read in conjunction with
our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, which have been
incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
----------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Consolidated Statement of Earnings Data:
Commissions.............................. $325,896 $302,993 $292,940 $284,043 $263,266
Fees..................................... 209,730 182,944 173,510 163,691 145,021
Investment income and other.............. 18,836 24,826 24,506 20,910 14,394
Non-recurring gains...................... -- 8,993 -- 2,035 --
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues........................... 554,462 519,756 490,956 470,679 422,681
Total expenses........................... 468,983 435,289 422,589 401,329 362,539
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings before income taxes............. 85,479 84,467 68,367 69,350 60,142
Net earnings............................. 57,392 56,452 45,482 43,321 38,167
Net earnings per common share............ 3.20 3.24 2.61 2.48 2.18
Net earnings per common and common 3.06 3.13 2.51 2.35 2.08
equivalent share........................
Dividends declared per common share...... 1.40 1.24 1.16 1.00 .88
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
Total assets............................. $758,435 $669,609 $617,280 $587,950 $536,542
Long-term debt less current portion...... -- -- 1,130 2,260 3,390
Total stockholders' equity............... 205,547 171,451 138,914 128,895 107,950
</TABLE>
The financial information for all periods has been restated for seven 1998
acquisitions and three 1999 acquisitions accounted for using the pooling of
interests method.
3
<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus may be offered
and issued by us from time to time in connection with future acquisitions of
other businesses or properties.
We expect to offer and sell the shares covered by this prospectus in
connection with future acquisitions within the next two years. We anticipate
that our future acquisitions will consist principally of additional insurance
brokerage and related businesses. The consideration for acquisitions may include
cash, including installment payments, shares of common stock, other securities
including securities which may be converted into common stock, guarantees,
assumptions of liabilities or any two or more of the foregoing, as determined
from time to time by negotiations between us and the owners or controlling
persons of the businesses or properties to be acquired. In addition, we may
enter into employment contracts and non-competition agreements with former
owners and key executive personnel of acquired businesses. At this time we are
engaged in preliminary discussions with a number of candidates for possible
future acquisitions.
In general, the terms of a future acquisition will be determined by
negotiations between our representatives and the owners or controlling persons
of the businesses or properties to be acquired, and the factors taken into
account in an acquisition may include the established quality and reputation of
the business and its management, gross commission revenues, earning power, cash
flow, growth potential, location of the business and properties to be acquired
and geographical and service diversification resulting from the acquisition. We
anticipate that shares of our common stock issued in any future acquisition will
be valued at a price reasonably related to the current market value of the
common stock as reported for securities listed on the NYSE, either at the time
the terms of the acquisition are tentatively agreed upon or at or about the time
or times of delivery of the shares. We do not expect to receive any cash
proceeds, other than cash balances of acquired companies, in connection with any
such issuances.
We do not expect that underwriting discounts or commissions will be paid by
us except that finder's fees may be paid to persons from time to time in
connection with specific acquisitions. Any person receiving any such fees may be
deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
If we make a material acquisition, or we engage in a series of acquisitions
which together constitute a material transaction, we will file an amendment to
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The amendment
will disclose and discuss the acquisition or acquisitions and the effect they
will have on us. Once we file an amendment to the registration statement, we
will not be able to sell any further shares under it until it is declared
effective by the SEC.
4
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the
SEC at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York
and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available to
the public from the SEC's Website at "http://www.sec.gov." Our common stock is
listed on the NYSE under the symbol "AJG" and the periodic reports, proxy
statements and other information we file with the SEC may also be inspected at
the offices of the NYSE at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be part of this prospectus, and the information that we file later
with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We
incorporate by reference the documents and information listed below:
(1) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1998, filed on March 26, 1999.
(2) Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998, filed on July 7, 1999.
(3) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March
31, 1999, filed on May 17, 1999.
(4) Amendment No. 1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended March 31, 1999, filed on July 8, 1999.
(5) The description of our common stock contained in Form 8-A
(registration no. 0-13480), which incorporates by reference our
registration statement on Form S-1 (registration no. 2-89195), and the
description of common share purchase rights currently attached to the
common stock contained in Form 8-A (registration no. 0-13480) filed
with the SEC on May 12, 1987 and in Current Report on Form 8-K
(registration no. 0-13480) filed with the SEC on May 18, 1987.
In addition, this prospectus incorporates by reference any future filings
we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from the date of the initial filing of the
registration statement that includes this prospectus until the termination of
the offering. Information in this prospectus supersedes related information in
the documents listed above and information in subsequently filed documents
supersedes related information in both this prospectus and the incorporated
documents.
5
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You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Two Pierce Place
Itasca, Illinois 60143-3141
Attention: Investor Relations
(630) 773-3800
This prospectus is part of registration statements that we have filed with
the SEC. You should rely only on the information or representations provided in
this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different
information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the document.
VALIDITY OF COMMON STOCK
For the purpose of this offering, our General Counsel, John C. Rosengren,
Esq., is providing an opinion on the validity of the shares. Mr. Rosengren
holds options for 17,900 shares.
EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated
financial statements and schedule included in our amended Annual Report on Form
10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 1998, as set forth in their report, which
is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Our consolidated financial
statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's
report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
6
<PAGE>
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Article Seventh of our By-laws (filed as Exhibit 3.2) and Article
Thirteenth of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1)
provide in effect for our indemnification of each of our directors, officers,
employees or agents to the full extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law.
Article Seventh of our By-laws provides that we shall indemnify any person
in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding brought or threatened by
reason of the fact that he or she is or was one of our directors, officers,
employees or agents, or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another enterprise, against all costs actually and
reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or
proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to our best interests, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her
conduct was unlawful. Similar indemnity is permitted to be provided to such
persons in connection with an action or suit by us or in our right, and provided
further that such person shall not have been adjudged liable for negligence or
misconduct in the performance of his or her duty to us, unless, in view of all
the circumstances of the case, the court in which the action or suit was brought
determines that such person despite the adjudication of liability is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses.
Article Thirteenth of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation eliminates
the liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as a director except where a director breaches his or her duty of loyalty to us
and our stockholders, fails to act in good faith or engages in intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, authorizes the payment of a dividend
or stock repurchase which is illegal under Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Laws or obtains an improper personal benefit.
We also maintain and pay premiums on a directors' and officers' liability
insurance policy and have entered into an indemnity agreement with each of our
directors and officers. The provisions of the indemnity agreement alter or
clarify the statutory indemnity in the following respect: (1) indemnity will be
explicitly provided for settlements in derivative actions; (2) prompt payment of
litigation expenses will be provided in advance of indemnification; (3) prompt
indemnification of advances of expenses will be provided unless a determination
is made that the director or officer has not met the required standard; (4) the
director or officer will be permitted to petition a court to determine whether
his actions meet the standards required; and (5) partial indemnification will be
permitted in the event that the director or officer is not entitled to full
indemnification. In addition, the indemnity agreement specifically includes
indemnification with respect to actions, suits or proceedings brought under
and/or predicated upon the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
The preceding summary is qualified in its entirety by our Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws and the indemnity agreement.
II-1
<PAGE>
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by
reference.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit Location
- ----------- ------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
3.1 Our Restated Certificate of Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number
Incorporation. to our Form 10-Q quarterly report for the quarterly
period ended June 30, 1996, file no. 1-9761.
3.2 Our By-Laws. Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number
to our Form S-1 registration statement no. 33-10447.
3.3 Rights Agreement between us Incorporated by reference to exhibits 1 and 2 to our
and Bank of America Illinois Form 8-A registration statement filed May 12, 1987,
(formerly Continental Illinois file no. 0-13480.
National Bank and Trust
Company of Chicago).
3.4 Assignment and Assumption Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number
Agreement of Rights to our Form S-8 registration statement no. 33-38031.
Agreement by and among
Bank of America Illinois
(formerly Continental Illinois
National Bank and Trust
Company of Chicago), Harris
Trust and Savings Bank and us.
3.5 Amendment no. 1 to exhibit Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit
3.3. number to our Form 10-Q quarterly report for the
quarterly period ended June 30, 1996, file no. 1-9761.
4.1 Instruments defining the Relevant portions contained in our Restated Certificate
rights of security holders. of Incorporation and By-Laws and the Rights Agreement in
exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3, respectively, hereby incorporated
by reference.
4.4 Credit Agreement dated Incorporated by reference to the same exhibit number to
February 16, 1993. our Form 10-K annual report for 1992, file no. 1-9761.
*5.0 Opinion of John C. Rosengren,
our Vice President and General
Counsel, including consent.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young
LLP, as independent auditors.
23.2 Consent of John C. Rosengren, Included in exhibit 5.0.
our Vice President and General
Counsel
*24.0 Powers of Attorney.
**27.0 Financial Data Schedule.
(b) Financial Statement Schedules:
**Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
</TABLE>
__________________
* Previously filed.
** Incorporated herein by reference to our amended Form 10-K/A annual report
for 1998, file no 1-9761.
II-2
<PAGE>
All other exhibits and schedules are omitted because they are not
applicable or not required or because the required information is included in
the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
Item 22. Undertakings
We hereby undertake as follows:
(1) To file, during any period in which any offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) may be
reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent
no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth
in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective
registration statement.
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(5) That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered
hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration
statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the
meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus
will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with
respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to
the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.
(6) That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (5)
immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section
10(a)(3) of the Act and is used in
II-3
<PAGE>
connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as
a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until
such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(8) To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by
reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form,
within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated
documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes
information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the
registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
(9) To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information
concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that
was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became
effective, except where the transaction in which the securities being offered
pursuant to the registration statement would itself qualify for an exemption
under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, absent the existence of other
similar (prior or subsequent) transactions.
II-4
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Arthur J.
Gallagher & Co. has duly caused this amendment to the registration statement to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Itasca, State of Illinois, on the 8th day of July, 1999.
ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER & CO.
By: /s/ J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr.
-------------------------------------
J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment
to the registration statement has been signed below on July 8, 1999 by the
following persons in the capacities indicated.
Signature Title
- ------------------------------ -----------------------------
/s/ Robert E. Gallagher* Chairman and Director
- ------------------------------
(Robert E. Gallagher)
/s/ J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr. President and Director (Chief Executive
- ------------------------------
(J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr.) Officer)
/s/ Michael J. Cloherty Executive Vice President and Director
- ------------------------------
(Michael J. Cloherty) (Chief Financial Officer)
/s/ Jack H. Lazzaro Vice President--Finance (Chief
- ------------------------------
(Jack H. Lazzaro) Accounting Officer)
/s/ T. Kimball Brooker* Director
- ------------------------------
(T. Kimball Brooker)
/s/ Peter J. Durkalski* Director
- ------------------------------
(Peter J. Durkalski)
/s/ Jack M. Greenberg* Director
- ------------------------------
(Jack M. Greenberg)
/s/ Frank M. Heffernan, Jr.* Director
- ------------------------------
(Frank M. Heffernan, Jr.)
/s/ Philip A. Marineau* Director
- ------------------------------
(Philip A. Marineau)
/s/ Walter F. McClure* Director
- ------------------------------
(Walter F. McClure)
/s/ James R. Wimmer* Director
- ------------------------------
(James R. Wimmer)
/s/ Ilene S. Gordon* Director
- ------------------------------
(Ilene S. Gordon)
*By: /s/ John C. Rosengren
----------------------
John C. Rosengren,
Attorney-in-fact
II-5
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-75197) and
related Prospectus of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and subsidiaries for the
registration of 1,175,000 shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by
reference therein of our reports dated January 19, 1999, except for Notes 2 and
15 as to which the date is July 6, 1999, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedule of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. and subsidiaries
for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 included in the amended
Annual Report (Form 10-K/A) for 1998 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
---------------------
Ernst & Young LLP
Chicago, Illinois
July 8, 1999
