Marsh USA has filed a lawsuit in New York, accusing its departing aviation and space practice leader, Garrett Hanrahan, of working with executives at Willis Towers Watson (WTW) to recruit Marsh employees and move clients to WTW, according to BestWire.
According to the complaint, Hanrahan collaborated with WTW’s Global Aviation and Space CEO, John Rooley, to bring over key members of Marsh’s aviation and space team across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
These employees were expected to bring clients with them to WTW.
Hanrahan had previously worked at WTW as CEO of the Americas for its Global Aerospace Practice from 2008 to 2013.
Marsh claims the effort aimed to severely weaken its ability to serve its clients. The plan allegedly relied on pressuring clients to move by removing the teams they had worked with. Marsh also says the strategy was meant to convince employees that WTW was their only career path.
To carry out the plan, Marsh says Hanrahan broke agreements that banned him from contacting employees or clients he had worked with or had confidential information about.
The lawsuit states he disclosed compensation details to help WTW offer more attractive pay packages.
Marsh alleges that WTW agreed to protect Hanrahan from legal consequences for breaking his contract. The company also claims WTW agreed to cover legal risks for other Marsh employees being recruited, who were also under similar restrictions.
The plan allegedly started on April 28, when Hanrahan announced his resignation, effective May 12. Since then, five more employees have left Marsh for WTW, and over a dozen others have been approached. Departing employees have said they plan to begin contacting their former clients right away.
Marsh says it is trying to keep remaining staff, but Rooley has indicated WTW will continue its aggressive hiring efforts.
In response, Marsh is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction to block the employees, including Hanrahan, from violating their contracts.
Marsh is also asking the court to stop WTW from recruiting any more of its aviation and space staff and to award damages at trial.
