Jill Hall and Gerry Stowers Successfully Defend Employer in ERISA Case before Fourth Circuit

January 30, 2017

Jill Hall, leader of the firm’s ERISA Litigation Group and a member of the firm’s Labor and Employment Group, and Gerry Stowers, a member of the firm’s Litigation Group, recently received a favorable ruling from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on behalf of an employer, Sears Holdings Corporation. 

On January 27, 2017, the Court issued a unanimous published opinion affirming the lower court’s decision to grant Sears’ motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s case on the grounds of ERISA preemption.  The Court concluded that the plaintiff’s state law claims to recover life insurance proceeds from his employer were completely preempted by ERISA, and therefore were subject to dismissal.

To read the Fourth Circuit's published opinion, click here.