Laid-Off Holland & Knight Partner Sues Over Retirement Benefits
A partner laid off by Holland & Knight in 2002 has filed a suit seeking retirement benefits of more than $5,000 a month.
R. Thomas Farrar claims in the suit that the law firm violated his partnership agreement and waived its right to arbitration, the Daily Business Review reports. He was one of 60 lawyers laid off in 2002.
Farrar claims he became eligible for retirement payments in 2007 when he turned 63, and he is now entitled to almost $96,000 in past benefits, according to the story. He also says he is due $5,054 per month in retirement benefits for the rest of his life. The suit was filed in Miami-Dade circuit court on Dec. 23.
According to Farrar, Holland & Knight violated the partnership agreement by failing to follow termination procedures, the story says. He also contends the firm waived its right to arbitration. The case had been in arbitration but the arbitrator withdrew in 2007 and no agreement was reached on a replacement.
Holland & Knight spokeswoman Karen McBride released a statement saying the law firm believes Farrar is not entitled to retirement benefits.
