A Massachusetts court has stepped in with a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit brought by Brown & Brown Inc. The suit accuses Howden US Services LLC of running a nationwide effort to lure Brown & Brown’s employees and clients away. Howden has agreed to the court order as the case moves forward.
According to court papers, since December 18, about 200 employees from Brown & Brown have left to join Howden. The lawsuit names Howden along with more than two dozen other defendants. The Suffolk County Superior Court has barred all defendants from directly or indirectly soliciting Brown & Brown employees while the case is pending. It also stops former Brown & Brown workers from approaching clients they served in the last two years.
One handwritten note on the court order allows certain former employees to continue working with clients who had already signed broker of record letters by December 29. The court also requires those involved to return all Brown & Brown’s confidential documents and company devices within a week.
The next steps in the case are scheduled: Filings related to the scope of the upcoming evidentiary hearing and any opposing motions must be submitted by January 9. A court conference to discuss the hearing will happen on January 12.
Brown & Brown’s lawsuit points out that Howden has faced similar accusations before. Other major brokers, including Marsh USA LLC, WTW, and Aon-affiliated firms, have sued Howden over alleged employee raids as it grew its retail business in 2025. In fact, Aon Risk Services recently filed a suit in federal court in New York. That case resulted in a preliminary injunction barring Howden and former Aon employees from using or sharing Aon’s confidential information.
Most of Brown & Brown’s operating units hold strong financial ratings, with Best’s Financial Strength Ratings at A- (Excellent). This legal battle shines a spotlight on the fierce competition and challenges insurers face in holding on to talent and protecting client relationships.