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Jeffrey Huvelle is a litigator who focuses on ERISA and employment discrimination. He has won 15 consecutive employment discrimination suits tried to a verdict before a jury or the court. Consistently ranked by Chambers as one of the nation’s top ERISA litigators, he has represented IBM, Verizon, UTC and GE in major ERISA class actions. Mr. Huvelle recently secured the first court order correcting a scrivener’s error in an ERISA plan.
He successfully defended IBM’s cash balance plan against age claims in Cooper v. IBM Personal Pension Plan, 457 F.3d 636 (7th Cir. 2006), perhaps the most significant benefits case in the country in recent years, and he defended Verizon’s cash balance plan against similar age claims in the 2nd Circuit. He has handled major class actions asserting fiduciary duty claims involving 401(k) plans, including stock drop claims brought against GE and fees/expenses claims against UTC. He has defended numerous suits seeking plan benefits on behalf of workers classified as independent contractors.
- Young v. Verizon, 615 F.3d 808 (7th Cir. 2010) - lead counsel and argued 7th Circuit appeal, securing court order reforming a $1.7 billion drafting error in pension plan formula. This was the first court order correcting a scrivener’s error in an ERISA plan.
- Cooper v. IBM Personal Pension Plan, 457 F.3d 636 (7th Cir. 2006) - served as lead counsel and argued the 7th Circuit appeal in defense of IBM's cash balance formula. This was the first appellate court decision ruling on claims that the cash balance formula violates the age provision of ERISA. The appellate victory was important to IBM because the parties had stipulated that IBM would pay $1.4 billion in remedies and fees if it did not prevail on appeal. It was also important because more than a thousand US companies use cash balance formulas.
- GMU Litigation, C.A. No. 1:09cv752 (E.D. Va. 2010) - secured summary judgment for George Mason School of Law against sexual harassment and other discrimination claims by law school professor.
- Taylor v. United Technologies Corp., 2009 WL 4255259 (2d Cir.) aff’g 2009 WL 534779 (D. Ct. 2009) - successful defense of UTC against class action claims that plan administrators breached their fiduciary duties by permitting excessive plan expenses, failing to disclose plan expenses and failing to understand the revenue received by record-keepers.
- Hirt v. The Equitable Retirement Plan, 533 F.3d 102 (2d Cir. 2008) - in one of two cases argued in tandem, served as lead counsel and argued the Second Circuit appeal in the successful defense of Verizon against class action claims that its cash balance formula violates the age provision of ERISA.
- Keen v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 486 F. Supp. 2d 481 (E.D. Pa. 2007) - successful defense of co-defendant GE on claims for plan benefits by purported class of third-party contractors.
- Edes v. Verizon Communications, Inc., 417 F.3d 133 (1st Cir. 2005) - successful defense of Verizon on a motion to dismiss claims under ERISA asserting that the company failed to provide benefits to common law employees retained through an employment agency.
- Cavalieri v. GE, No 06-CV-315 (N.D. New York 2005) - defended GE on “stock-drop” claims relating to its 401(k) plan, in which plaintiffs allege that GE failed to disclose to plan participants material information relating to one of its businesses and that it was imprudent for the plan to continue to hold GE stock. Resolved for $50 million, of which $30 million represented costs of future plan improvements.
- Cook v. UBS Financial Services, Inc., CA No. PJM 06-803 (D. Md. 2006) - successful defense of putative nationwide class action for race discrimination on behalf of financial advisors.
Pro Bono
- Two actions in federal court in Maryland on behalf of African-American employees, asserting FLSA and race discrimination claims in one case and race and retaliation claims in the other.
- Litigation in the federal court in Georgia on behalf of African-American customers alleging denial of service by a restaurant chain because of their race.
- Advice to a number of non-profits on employment issues.
Covington Receives Top Tier Rankings from Legal 500 U.S.
June 9, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC, June 9, 2015 — The Legal 500 U.S. has ranked Covington as a top tier firm in nine practice areas and recognized 25 individual attorneys as “Leading Lawyers” in the directory’s 2015 edition. Additionally, Legal 500 recommended 36 Covington practice areas and 156 Covington lawyers. Top tier rankings include: Antitrust - Cartel Antitrust ...
4/16/2015, Covington E-Alert
Verizon Wins Challenge to Pension Transfer; Investment Guidelines Need Not Be Disclosed
October 23, 2014, Bloomberg BNA
Covington's Jeffrey Huvelle is quoted regarding his representation of Verizon: “Verizon is pleased that the Fifth Circuit agreed with Judge Fish's well-reasoned decision that Verizon's spinoff complied with ERISA,” Huvelle told Bloomberg BNA on Oct. 15. He added that the document disclosure claims at issue “related to SuperMedia, not Verizon.”
August 18, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, August 18, 2014 — Best Lawyers named Covington & Burling’s Stuart Eizenstat and Gregg Levy each a 2015 “Lawyer of the Year” in international trade and sports law, respectively, citing their “abilities, professionalism and integrity.” Overall, Covington lawyers received 217 individual mentions in 58 areas of law in the newly released annual survey ...
Covington Receives Top Tier Nods in Legal 500 U.S.
June 26, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC, June 26, 2014 — The Legal 500 U.S. has ranked Covington & Burling in its top tier in eight practice areas and recognized 23 individual attorneys as “Leading Lawyers” in the directory’s 2014 edition. Additionally, Legal 500 “recommended” 42 Covington practice areas and 153 Covington lawyers. The eight Covington practices given the top tier ranking ...
July 30, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, July 30, 2013 — Covington & Burling is pleased to announce that Lindsay Buchanan Burke has returned to the firm, expanding the firm’s employment practice. Ms. Burke will be based in the firm’s Washington office as special counsel and will work with the firm’s employment, international employment, employee benefits, privacy and executive ...
Covington Receives Top Tier Nods in Legal 500 U.S.
June 7, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, June 7, 2013 — The Legal 500 U.S. has ranked Covington & Burling as a top tier firm in six practice areas and recognized 21 individual attorneys as “Leading Lawyers” in the directory’s 2013 edition. Additionally, Legal 500 “recommended” 38 Covington practice areas and 148 Covington lawyers. The six Covington practices given the top tier ranking ...
2013, 1 Peking U. Transnational Law Rev., 212
February 12, 2013, Covington E-Alert
Covington Prevails For Verizon on Pension Plan Dispute
December 7, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, December 7, 2012 — A federal judge rejected an attempt by former Verizon employees today to block the transfer of $7.5 billion of retirement benefit liabilities to The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Covington & Burling was lead counsel to Verizon in the matter, persuading Chief Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater of the Northern District of ...
August 27, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 27, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 196 individual mentions in 57 areas of law in the 2013 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top U.S. lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as ...
Covington Receives Top Tier Nods in Legal 500 US
August 14, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, August 14, 2012 — Covington & Burling LLP has received a top tier ranking in six practice areas and 18 individual attorneys are named “Leading Lawyers” in the recently released Legal 500 US 2012 edition. Additionally, Legal 500 US also “recommended” 36 Covington practice areas and 123 Covington lawyers. The six Covington practices given the top ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
May 2, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC, May 2, 2012 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 64 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2012 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza and Robert Long have been named among the “Top 100” for ...
September 7, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, September 7, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP lawyers received 184 individual mentions in 56 areas of law in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: ...
June 22, 2011, Covington E-Alert
June 10, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 123 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2011. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
June 9, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, June 10, 2011 — Covington & Burling LLP received 92 individual mentions and 32 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2011 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
Covington Lawyers Recognized by D.C. Super Lawyers
May 17, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, May 17, 2011 — D.C. Super Lawyers selected 55 Covington & Burling lawyers for its 2011 list of top legal talent. Super Lawyers selects no more than five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. Deborah Garza has been named among the “Top 50 Women,” and Robert Long ...
January 7, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC, January 7, 2011 — Law360 has named Covington & Burling LLP’s employment practice as one of five “Employment Groups of the Year.” “The key to Covington's success has been its laser focus on a select number of vital cases with major implications for the future of ERISA, while other firms may focus on handling a greater volume of routine ERISA ...
Covington Secures Significant ERISA Victory for Verizon
August 10, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, August 10, 2010 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has affirmed a landmark trial court judgment in favor of Verizon Communications in a billion-dollar ERISA class action. Today’s ruling is the first appellate decision to permit reformation of a scrivener's error in the benefit formula of an ERISA-governed plan. Covington & ...
August 6, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, August 6, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 138 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2011 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
June 23, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 23, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 85 individual mentions and 23 practice mentions in the Legal 500 US 2010 edition. Legal 500 reviews the strengths and strategies of law firms in more than 90 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North and South America, and the Caribbean. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
June 16, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP received 112 individual mentions and 44 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2010. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
May 24, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, May 24, 2010 — Covington & Burling LLP obtained summary judgment on all claims asserted by law professor Kyndra Rotunda against George Mason University. Ms. Rotunda had sued the University for sexual harassment, retaliation, pay discrimination, and constructive discharge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. After ...
March 18, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC, March 18, 2010 — Forty-five Covington & Burling LLP lawyers are recognized in the 2010 Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers. The annual list by Super Lawyers selects only five percent of the total lawyers who practice in Washington based on peer review and the publication’s independent research. In addition, partners Deborah Garza and Robert Long have ...
12/1/2009
WASHINGTON, DC, December 1, 2009 — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit today affirmed a summary judgment victory for United Technologies Corp. (UTC) in a closely-watched ERISA class action lawsuit that alleged breach of fiduciary duties in connection with 401(k) plan expenses and investment options. Covington & Burling LLP represented UTC in the ...
August 7, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, August 7, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 131 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
June 12, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC, June 12, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP received 100 individual mentions and 40 practice mentions in Chambers USA 2009. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington lawyers and practices ...
3/4/2009
WASHINGTON, DC, March 4, 2009 — Covington & Burling LLP has secured an important victory for United Technologies Corp. in a closely-watched ERISA class action lawsuit that alleged breach of fiduciary duties in connection with 401(k) plan expenses and investment options. On March 3, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut granted summary judgment ...
2005/2009, Media Law Resource Center, 50-State Survey of Employment Libel and Privacy Law
September 29, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, September 29, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 124 individual mentions in 40 areas of law in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The Covington lawyers recognized are as follows: Administrative: ...
7/11/2008
WASHINGTON, DC, July 11, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP secured a major victory for Verizon in the Second Circuit, where a three-judge panel ruled on July 9 that cash balance plans do not violate federal law (Hirt v. The Equitable, Bryerton v. Verizon, 2d Cir., No. 06-4757-cv). In issuing its ruling, the Second Circuit followed three other federal appeals courts ...
June 16, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC, June 16, 2008 — Covington & Burling LLP received 81 individual mentions and 45 practice mentions in the newly released 2008 Chambers USA. The guidebook, which ranks lawyers by state and national practice area, is designed to identify the most skilled legal practitioners based on the qualities most valued by clients. Here are the Covington ...
September 6, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, September 6, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 115 individual mentions in 38 areas of law in the 2008 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. This annual compilation of top US lawyers is based on peer-review surveys and is used as a referral guide in the legal profession. The recipients are as follows: Administrative: E. Edward Bruce and ...
June 18, 2007
WASHINGTON, DC, June 18, 2007 — Covington & Burling LLP received 44 practice mentions and 74 individual mentions in the newly released 2007 Chambers USA guidebook. The 2007 edition of Chambers USA attempts to identify the most skilled legal practitioners throughout the country based on the qualities most valued by clients. Covington attorneys have been ...
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in America for Employment Law (2007-2019).
- Ranked among leading ERISA litigators nationwide by Chambers USA (2006-2017).
- Washington DC Super Lawyers, Employee Benefits (2010-2017) and Employee Litigation (2014-2019)
- Legal 500 US, “Leading Lawyer” - ERISA Litigation (2014-2019)
- Legal 500 US, ERISA Litigation (2012-2017)
- Outstanding Achievement Award from Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights in 2009 for litigation related to Equal Employment Project.