USI sues former broker after joining competitor

USI Insurance Services LLC last week sued a former employee who left the brokerage in April 2023, alleging he breached a nonsolicitation agreement by attempting to lure potential USI clients to his new firm.

USI contends in the suit filed in an Ohio federal court that Alan Abouhassan, who worked at USI’s Dublin, Ohio, office, interfered with its business relationships with Kemba Financial Credit Union and Doyle HCM after he joined rival Hylant Group Inc.

According to the Feb. 13 complaint, Kemba and Doyle were prospective clients of USI while Mr. Abouhassan was employed by the brokerage firm.

Mr. Abouhassan signed an employment agreement with USI in December 2020 that prohibited him from disclosing confidential information and from soliciting or attempting to divert services away from the brokerage firm, the lawsuit says.

While working for USI, Mr. Abouhassan met with representatives of Kemba and Doyle before leaving to join Hylant, according to the suit.

“USI is now in the vulnerable position with the potential continued loss of business and harm to its goodwill due to Abouhassan’s improper actions,” the brokerage firm said in the complaint.

USI is seeking an injunction requiring Mr. Abouhassan to comply with the terms of the employment agreement.

USI and representatives for Mr. Abouhassan did not immediately respond to requests for comment.