USI Insurance Services, one of the largest brokerages in the United States, has taken legal action against a former team leader and the Lockton brokerage. The lawsuit claims they unlawfully recruited USI employees and damaged client relationships.
Elisia Hahnenberg, who started as an intern at USI in 2012 and worked her way up to lead a team of account executives, is accused of violating non-compete agreements. After leaving USI for Lockton last year, she allegedly took three salespeople with her, according to the lawsuit filed in federal court in Atlanta.
The complaint, dated April 11, asserts that Hahnenberg and Lockton worked together to disrupt USI’s operations. It claims they aimed to weaken USI’s service capabilities and persuade its clients to switch their employee benefits brokerage to Lockton.
USI operates offices in Atlanta and New York and is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages. They are also asking for a court order to enforce employment agreements and cover legal fees. As of now, Hahnenberg and Lockton have not responded to the lawsuit.
This lawsuit comes shortly after another major brokerage, Brown & Brown, accused a former vice president of stealing clients and starting a competing business. Lockton, a family-owned company, has locations in Atlanta and Kansas City.
The lawsuit highlights Hahnenberg’s rise within USI, where she managed nine account executives and had access to sensitive company information and proprietary systems. In May 2024, just days after resigning, she allegedly tried to download confidential files from USI. USI has since reminded her of her contractual obligations, which prevent her from soliciting other employees for at least two years.
USI’s complaint emphasizes the potential ongoing harm to its business and reputation due to these actions, leaving the company in a vulnerable position.