Acrisure unit sues Alliant again over principal’s departure

An Acrisure unit has again sued Alliant Insurance Services Inc., alleging that the rival broker engaged in unfair competition when recruiting a San Francisco-based principal and members of his team.

The lawsuit is the unit’s second against Alliant related to Ryan Bedrosian’s abrupt resignation May 12 to join Alliant.

In the June 25 case Acrisure of California LLC v. Alliant Insurance Services Inc., the unit of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Acrisure alleges that Alliant regularly engages in a “legally dubious growth strategy” that involves raiding competitors’ workforces “hoping that revenue-producing employees will act as pied pipers and encourage other employees—and customers—to follow.”

Mr. Bedrosian sued Acrisure in California state court the day after he resigned, seeking an order that his employment agreement is unenforceable.

Acrisure then sued Mr. Bedrosian in federal court in Michigan, alleging that he violated his employment agreement by taking confidential information before joining Alliant and by recruiting colleague Kimberly Dierdorff to join him.

On June 4, the judge in that case granted a temporary restraining order barring Mr. Bedrosian from soliciting Acrisure clients and employees.

Long Beach, California-based Alliant then sued Acrisure in California state court June 23, seeking an order barring Acrisure from enforcing any employment agreement it made its employees sign.

In the June 25 lawsuit, Acrisure seeks damages, including disgorgement of Alliant profits, as well as attorneys fees, litigation expenses and pre- and post-judgment interest and costs.

Representatives for the parties did not respond to requests for comment.