Howden is being sued again, this time by IMA Financial Group.
IMA said in a federal lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Oregon that its former employer, Alexander Hamilton, allegedly conspired with Howden US to “orchestrate the coordinated resignation of an entire team of IMA employees on the same day,” and started to solicit clients to move to Howden.
Hamilton was IMA’s marine practice leader for the Pacific Northwest. He had worked for IMA since 2021 following IMA’s acquisition of Parker, Smith & Feek, Inc., and signed a confidentiality, non-disclosure, non-competition, and non-solicitation agreement with IMA, the suit said.
IMA said Hamilton allegedly received an emailed offer early this year from Howden and accepted it. Late in January, Hamilton took a business trip to London on IMA’s dime and met with Howden, IMA claims. He solicited IMA employees over the next months, and spoke to clients, before resigning on March 23. Six others from the team resigned less than 24 hours later on March 24.
“Hamilton and Howden worked together to solicit and convert at least four IMA clients with whom Hamilton formerly worked at IMA. Each of these clients has since issued a [broker-of-record] letter, changing their broker from IMA to Howden,” alleged IMA in the suit. IMA furthermore alleged Howden continues to solicit IMA clients, sometimes using IMA’s name to get meetings, and using confidential client information provided by Hamilton.
Howden US has been on the receiving end of multiple lawsuits from other brokers since it started business as Howden’s U.S. retail broking business last year. The lawsuits include one from Marsh against Charles Baxter Southern III, who quit with more than 15 coworkers to lead the marine team at Howden US.
Related: MMA Sues Former Specialty Marine Head Over Move to Howden US
Michael Parrish, Howden’s CEO, Americas is also being sued by Marsh. Howden US is fighting similar suits that allege poaching and employment contract violations from WTW, Brown & Brown, Aon, Alliant, and USI.
IMA seeks preliminary and permanent injunctions against Hamilton and Howden, as well a punitive damages and disgorgement.
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