About

Provided by Goodwin

As retirement plans have come to hold an increasing proportion of the nation’s wealth, and with the increasing attention on healthcare costs and services, the number of lawsuits claiming violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) has mushroomed. With our expertise in financial services, capital markets and healthcare, we are uniquely positioned to defend ERISA litigation that challenges the way products and services within the employee benefit plan marketplace, including retirement, life, and health, are managed and administered.

The most sophisticated consumers of ERISA litigation services in the country are facing cutting-edge class actions, regulatory investigations and Department of Labor matters involving, for example, the investment and valuation of ERISA retirement plan assets, so-called “excessive fee” litigation, challenges to the payment of healthcare expenses, employer stock drop cases, and the effect of a change of corporate control on ERISA plans.

Goodwin has defended — and defeated — a variety of high-profile ERISA claims at both the trial and appellate levels, as well as in administrative and arbitral proceedings.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

ERISA Litigation - USA - Nationwide

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Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Goodwin is renowned for its robust representation of clients from the financial services sector, including insurers and investment managers, in a broad range of ERISA litigation at both trial and appellate levels, as well as arbitral proceedings. The firm handles the full scope of contentious issues including stock drop cases and issues of fiduciary liability. It also has notable experience with large scale fee litigation.

Work Highlights

  • Goodwin represented John Hancock Life Insurance Company in an appeal against an ERISA class action brought by trustees of a law firm 401(k) Plan that purchased a group variable annuity contract from John Hancock.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

James Fleckner
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James Fleckner
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Band 1
James Fleckner excels in the representation of plan sponsors and investment managers in ERISA class actions, and is particularly active in disputes involving excessive fees and proprietary funds.

A thoughtful and creative problem solver who is consistently looking for new ways to advance his clients' interests.

He's a standout.

James is very well versed and well connected in the field. He knows every player in the underlying case and can give valuable insight.

James is clearly one of the leading ERISA practitioners in the country: he is extraordinarily knowledgeable and experienced, very hands on and detail oriented, and he delivers outstanding results.

Alison Douglass
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Alison Douglass
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Band 2
Alison Douglass has extensive experience with representing financial service providers in ERISA class actions, including those involving proprietary investment products.

Alison is a true leader who is thoughtful, forward-looking, and extremely organized.

She is really knowledgeable and also very good on her feet in the courtroom.

She is very well versed in plaintiff class actions.

Alison is a very experienced commercial litigator who is quick to grasp new topics, an excellent case manager and extremely good with witnesses and experts.

An impressive litigator who excels in making clear, persuasive arguments and in explaining complex subjects in an easy-to-understand manner.

Jaime Santos
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Jaime Santos
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Band 3
Jaime Santos receives particular praise for her expert handling of ERISA claims at the appellate levels.

She is as smart as a whip and can synthesize and simplify complicated things so well.

Jaime is a skilled brief writer, capable of breaking down complex subjects into delivery vehicles that are easy to digest by a generalist audience.

Jaime is an extremely smart and talented appellate lawyer who provides detailed and insightful legal analysis and is an excellent brief writer.

Ranked Lawyers at
Goodwin

Provided by Chambers
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Band

USA - Nationwide

ERISA Litigation

James Fleckner
1
James Fleckner
1
Band 1
Alison Douglass
2
Alison Douglass
2
Band 2
Jaime Santos
3
Jaime Santos
3
Band 3