Department profile
Goodwin Procter LLP

ERISA Litigation

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Goodwin Procter LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Goodwin Procter LLP

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

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Goodwin Procter LLP 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

Provided by Chambers

  • Goodwin Procter LLP represented Natixis Investment Managers in a class action in the District Court for the District of Massachusetts brought by a former Natixis employee, alleging that Natixis had a conflict of interest when it included Natixis-affiliated mutual funds in its 401(k) plan.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Goodwin is a trusted partner that provides practical, business-minded advice and counsel.

    ERISA Litigation respondentUSA
  • The Goodwin team has deep expertise on the particulars of ERISA litigation, along with actual trial experience.

    ERISA Litigation respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1James Fleckner
    Band 1James Fleckner

    James Fleckner

    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.
    • James is the foremost expert on ERISA in the country.

      ERISA Litigation respondentUSA
  • Band 2Alison Douglass
    Band 2Alison Douglass

    Alison Douglass

    Alison Douglass has extensive experience with representing financial service providers in ERISA class actions, including those involving proprietary investment products.
    • Alison is a subject matter expert.

      ERISA Litigation respondentUSA
    • Alison is a thoughtful and thorough lawyer.

      ERISA Litigation respondentUSA
  • Band 3Jaime Santos
    Band 3Jaime Santos

    Jaime Santos

    Jaime Santos receives particular praise for her expert handling of ERISA claims at the appellate levels.
    • The way Jaime thinks brings real clarity in appellate strategy.

      ERISA Litigation respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Goodwin Procter LLP (3)

USA - Nationwide

Members

Provided by Goodwin Procter LLP

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