Jury awards USI $2.5 million in case against former brokers

An Atlanta jury awarded USI Insurance Services LLC $2.5 million in damages against former aviation and aerospace brokers who joined rival Lockton Cos. LLC for breach of their employment agreements, although a punitive damages award was lowered by the court.

A related case brought against Lockton, which was consolidated with the case against the brokers, was dismissed by the jury Monday, according to court papers in Jameson Taylor Anderson, Robert Dean Anderson and Roger erg Maldonado v. USI Insurance Services LLC, which was heard in U.S. District Court.

The three men joined Lockton in December 2019 and are Atlanta based. Dean Anderson, formerly national aviation practice leader for USI, joined Lockton as senior vice president and aviation practice leader, according to his LinkedIn profile. Taylor Anderson, formerly vice president, defense and aerospace client executive for USI join Lockton as senior vice president, defense and aerospace. Mr. Maldonado left USI as senior vice president – national aviation practice to join Lockton as senior vice president, aerospace.

In addition to the $2.5 million in damages against the three men, the jury also awarded $2.75 million in punitive damages, comprising $500,000 against Dean Anderson and $2,250,000 against Taylor Anderson.

Citing a $250,000 cap on punitive damages, the court reduced the awards to $45,000 for Dean Anderson and $205,000 for Mr. Taylor.

Spokesmen for the brokerages declined to comment.