Willis Towers Watson and Howden Group are in negotiations to settle a lawsuit Willis filed against its London-based rival over the hiring of its former executive Danielle Lombardo, according to a court document filed Wednesday.
According to a motion to continue, the federal court judge in the case delayed arguments scheduled for Wednesday until Nov. 6.
“The parties are conferring about a possible resolution of the current matter and, without acknowledging any liability or wrongdoing, have agreed upon this order,” court papers say.
Under the terms of the order, Ms. Lombardo and her team will not solicit or accept broker-of-record letters from “restricted clients” and “restricted prospective clients” or solicit Willis employees.
“Except that defendant Lombardo will be permitted to solicit, accept BORs, transact business with and/or service the list of six clients whose identities have been exchanged and agreed to by the parties,” the order said.
The order did not include details about the clients. Willis and Howden declined to comment.
Willis sued Ms. Lombardo and Howden in federal court in New Jersey earlier this month, alleging she unlawfully took “millions of dollars” in business after joining Howden in September.
Before joining Howden as vice chair of its recently launched U.S. retail operations, she was chair of Willis’ North America real estate, hospitality and leisure division. She joined Willis from Lockton in 2024.
Howden has hired hundreds of staff from rivals since launching its U.S. retail business in August. Marsh is also in litigation with the London-based brokerage.
