PITTSBURGH – A wealth management firm is suing one of its employees, alleging that she breached her contract after taking a job with a competitor.
Advisors Management LLC filed a complaint on Sept. 9 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against Janelle M. Fumerola, alleging breach of contract and unfair competition
According to the complaint, Advisors Management LLC is a wealth management service provider, working in a highly competitive market, and is the exclusive management company for JFS Weath Advisors LLC. In 2002, Advisors Management hired Fumerola and allegedly provided her with numerous opportunities for advancement. Over her time of employment, Fumerola was a valued and trusted employee with many clients and over time she developed a deep knowledge of the company's workings, she claims. Following her alleged termination due to creating workplace hostility in 2014, Fumerola allegedly began to provide services for her previous employer's competitor, thus violating her contract and non-competition agreement. The plaintiff is suing the defendant, purporting that her actions have cost the company a great deal of money.
Advisors Management LLC is seeking compensation of an unspecified amount for all damages suffered from Fumerola's violations. The company is represented by Brian D. Balonick of Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney, PC in Pittsburgh.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:15-cv-01178