AssuredPartners unit sues former broker, EPIC for soliciting clients

An AssuredPartners Inc. unit on Monday sued a former broker and EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants in federal court in Chicago, alleging they knowingly enticed restricted clients to change brokers in violation of nonsolicitation and noninterference agreements.

AssuredPartners of Illinois LLC alleges Timothy Heublein willfully violated his employment agreements by printing confidential documents about a number of its golf and country club clients hours before abruptly resigning on March 3 to join rival EPIC later that day.

Mr. Heublein began working for AssuredPartners as the director of its golf course programs in January 2020 after it purchased Chicago-based insurance agency Corkill.

When Mr. Heublein joined AssuredPartners, he signed agreements barring him from contacting restricted clients and using confidential information for two years after leaving the brokerage, court records show.

AssuredPartners claims that since March 17, it has received broker of record letters from “several significant” clients saying that they are now working with Newport Beach, California-based EPIC.

AssuredPartners seeks an injunction “restraining and prohibiting the defendants from possessing, using, or disclosing any AssuredPartners’ confidential information or trade secrets.”

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