Practice Group | Bassford Remele

Currently representing directors and executives of a manufacturing company in a United States Department of Labor claim arising out of the sale of company stock to an ESOP.

Represented the former chairman, chief executive officer, and selling-shareholder in a class-action ESOP litigation, winning summary judgment from the district court for the firm’s client on the eve of trial. (Following separate trials on liability and damages, the plaintiff class was awarded more than $15 million in relief. Judgment in favor of the firm’s client was unchallenged on appeal.) Chesemore v. All. Holdings, Inc., 276 F.R.D. 506 (W.D. Wis. 2011); 886 F. Supp. 2d 1007 (W.D. Wis. 2012); aff'd sub nom. Chesemore v. Fenkell, 829 F.3d 803 (7th Cir. 2016).

Represented corporate officers, obtaining a favorable resolution in a claim alleging breach of fiduciary duty in removing members of the board of directors.

Represented a manufacturer, obtaining summary judgment in a claim for declaratory relief and alleged breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA. Bergmann v. BMC Indus., Inc., 2006 WL 487864 (D. Minn. Jan. 20, 2006).

Defended a global industrial manufacturer, obtaining a defense verdict in a claim alleging benefits owed under a Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (SERP). Spolum v. Clark Equip. Co., No. A3-98-95 (D.N.D. 2004).

Represented an educational technology company, obtaining summary judgment in a claim for alleged violations of ERISA by the co-trustees of the company's 401(k) plan, as well as a claimed delay in the payment of plan contributions.