Ropes & Gray Secures Complete Victory in Employment Arbitration on Behalf of ACE INA

Ropes & Gray achieved a significant win, following a one-week hearing in an action brought by ACE INA’s former president for severance and benefits following her resignation in 2004.

The case was brought by Susan Rivera, the former president of ACE’s North American operations, claiming that she was entitled to the economic equivalent of a not-for-cause termination under her Employment Agreement following her forced resignation in connection with the NYAG’s investigation of alleged bid-rigging practices in the insurance industry. Recently, the Tribunal issued its decision denying Rivera’s claim in its entirety, finding that her action was time-barred under Pennsylvania law, and even if not, that her conduct fully justified termination for cause under her employment contract. This decision came after two years of hard-fought litigation that culminated in a week-long trial—including testimony from ACE’s CEO, ACE’s general counsel and its outside counsel, Debevoise & Plimpton—held at Ropes’ New York offices. The cross-office and cross-practice team consisted of New York litigation partner Christopher Conniff, Boston labor & employment partner David Mandel, Boston labor & employment associates Douglas Brayley and Jennifer Cormier.