Massachusetts Court Grants Brown & Brown Temporary Restraining Order in Howden Employee Poaching Case
Brown & Brown TRO, Howden employee raid, insurance poaching lawsuit, trade secrets dispute, non-solicitation breach – these terms are making waves in the insurance industry following a key court decision.
A Massachusetts Superior Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) in favor of brokerage giant Brown & Brown Inc. against rival Howden US Services LLC and dozens of former employees, temporarily halting further solicitation of staff and clients in an alleged massive poaching scheme.
The ruling, handed down on December 29, 2025, by Judge Debra Squires-Lee in Suffolk County, follows Brown & Brown’s lawsuit filed on December 22, accusing Howden of orchestrating a coordinated “raid” that led to around 200 employees resigning en masse on December 18 – strategically timed during the holidays to disrupt operations and limit immediate legal response.
Brown & Brown’s complaint describes the incident as one of the “most enormous, calculated and predatory schemes” in brokerage history, alleging breaches of non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, and unfair competition. Evidence cited includes WhatsApp messages coordinating resignations and offers of higher compensation plus equity from Howden.
Howden consented to the TRO, which prohibits the defendants – including Howden and over 28 individuals – from soliciting Brown & Brown employees or servicing restricted clients. It also requires the return of any confidential information taken after December 18. A status conference is scheduled for January 12, 2026, to address an evidentiary hearing for a potential preliminary injunction.
In response, Howden argued the departures stemmed from Brown & Brown’s “mistreatment,” low pay, and problematic corporate culture, insisting there was “no grand plot to steal” and that clients naturally follow their brokers. Former executive Jim Hays, now with Howden, denied involvement, noting his remaining equity stake in Brown & Brown gives him no incentive to harm the company.
Industry observers point out this is part of a pattern: Howden, aggressively expanding its U.S. retail presence since August 2025, faces similar poaching lawsuits from Aon, Marsh, and Willis Towers Watson (WTW), with recent injunctions in some cases.
Experts highlight the intensifying talent wars in insurance broking, where relationships drive business. While worker mobility fosters competition, large-scale coordinated moves raise questions about enforceability of restrictive covenants, especially as federal non-compete bans gain momentum.
For U.S. readers, this case has economic ripples: Major brokerages handle billions in premiums, affecting insurance costs for businesses, healthcare, and consumers. Disruptions could influence market consolidation, job mobility, and premium rates amid a hardening market. Politically, it ties into broader debates on employee rights, corporate protections, and antitrust in labor markets.
Public reactions online range from sympathy for departing employees seeking better opportunities to criticism of “raids” as unethical. As proceedings advance with expedited discovery, the outcome may set precedents for handling mass recruitments in competitive sectors.
Brown & Brown TRO, Howden employee raid, insurance poaching lawsuit, trade secrets dispute, non-solicitation breach – this dispute underscores the high stakes in a rapidly consolidating industry.
By Mark Smith
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