Lockton Cos. LLC and a former executive who recently joined rival Alliant Insurance Services Inc. are embroiled in legal disputes in California and Missouri that center on allegations of gender discrimination and a four-year non-compete.
Sallie Giblin, who joined Alliant as a vice president late last year, filed a bias suit against Lockton in December and last week filed a motion to dismiss the brokerage’s non-compete clause against her, which was filed in November.
Giblin, who was a successful San Diego-based producer at Lockton, was named one of the 2011 Business insurance Women to watch. She joined Lockton in 2006. In 2016, she joined the executive committee of the brokerage̵
7;s Pacific Series unit, became a Lockton partner in 2017, and was named president of the San Diego office in 2018.In her costume, Sallie Giblin v. Lockton Cos. LLC – Pacific Series filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles in December, Giblin alleges that as a manager at Lockton, she was subjected to gender discrimination and retaliation by other executives at the brokerage. Additionally, she argues that Lockton’s non-compete clauses are unenforceable and that her dispute with the broker should be tried in California. California courts generally favor employees in non-compete and employer disputes.
Ms Giblin claims, among other things, that Lockton is a “cool boys’ club” where some managers engage in inappropriate behavior and men are promoted to the detriment of women.
Additionally, she claims that her accounts were understaffed after she intervened to prevent the hiring of two producers with a history of sexual harassment, that she was excluded from various executive committee decisions and activities, and that she was unfairly blamed for the poor performance and morale. of the unit’s employee benefits.
In September 2022, Giblin was removed from the executive committee. She resigned from Lockton on November 29 and took a position as vice president at Alliant.
On Nov. 30, Lockton sued Giblin in federal court in Kansas City, Missouri, where the company is headquartered, saying it was trying to prevent her from taking confidential information to Alliant.
the costume, Lockton Cos. LLC – Pacific Series v. Sallie F. Giblin, alleges that she refused to honor a 30-day notice period and made allegations of unfair treatment and discrimination against Lockton “as leverage to obtain relief from her covenant not to solicit Lockton clients and other restrictions.” Lockton imposes a four-year non-compete clause on partners.
Lockton claims Giblin created “a toxic work environment” after his promotion and had previously tried to leave the brokerage.
In the lawsuit, Lockton says Giblin was an “owner, producing member and producing partner” of Lockton rather than an employee and had access to sensitive competitive information and customer accounts.
Among other things, the lawsuit seeks an injunction barring Giblin from taking Lockton clients, prospects and staff until December 2026.
A Jan. 31 filing by Giblin seeking to dismiss Lockton’s lawsuit characterizes it as “speculative” and claims that “Lockton has not alleged that any employees or clients were improperly solicited by Giblin or have been lost due to misconduct.”
The filing also alleges that Lockton is confusing “trade secrets” and “Confidential Information” under Missouri law.
Michael A. Sherman, a partner at Stubbs Alderton & Markiles LLP, which represents Ms. Giblin, said the Lockton lawsuit contains “formulaic and meaningless allegations in their race for the courthouse.”
A spokeswoman for Lockton said the brokerage does not comment on pending litigation.
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