Edward P. Perrin, Jr.

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Edward P. Perrin, Jr.

Shareholder

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Ed Perrin is a founding partner of Hallett & Perrin, which was established in 1992.

His litigation experience encompasses an extensive range of complex commercial, corporate entity and governance, real estate, D&O and other fiduciary matters, including extraordinary/injunctive relief and class actions, in both federal and state courts, as well as administrative proceedings and arbitration.

A substantial portion of Ed’s practice involves his engagement as both trial and consulting counsel in ERISA and employee benefit disputes, representing fiduciaries, plans, trustees, administrators, participants and sponsoring companies.

Ed fosters an attorney-client relationship where the client knows that they, and their issues, matter. Ed works to find innovative or aggressive ways to resolve litigation as efficiently, effectively and promptly as possible. He keeps clients informed about the latest news or other issues that may affect them or their industry.

Although he is a 5th-generation attorney, he believes that there is more to life than practicing law. Ed has a long involvement in community and civic affairs including: Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Society - Director; Ronald McDonald House of Dallas - Past Director; and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church - Member & Leadership Positions since 1988.

He and his wife of more than 35 years are parents of two adult children. Ed plays tennis, is a hockey fan, and loves to travel.

Representative Experience

Baylor College of Medicine, Gaylord Entertainment Company, Oklahoma Publishing Company, Curtin Matheson Scientific, Inc., Tuboscope Vetco International, Inc., Clubcorp International, Inc., Icl Inc., and related trustees – Representation of named companies, their retirement plans and fiduciaries in federal (Southern District of Texas) and state (Austin, Texas) courts in class actions by the Texas Guaranty Association against 104 defendants (and proposed class of hundreds) alleging breach of fiduciary duties in connection with investments in guaranteed investments contracts issued by Executive Life Insurance Company of California. Obtained dismissal of all claims instates proceedings. Acted as lead counsel for majority of defendants in federal action. Received summary judgment on all claims in District Court, affirmed by the Fifth Circuit, and Plaintiffs’ Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court was dismissed.
Addison, et al. v. Bright, et al. – Obtained $9.8 million judgment against clients’ former partner, officer and legal counsel for breach of fiduciary duties, fraud, interference with perspective business relationships, usurpation of corporate opportunities, unjust enrichment and negligence.
Milofsky v. American Airlines – Counsel for American Airlines in class action proceedings for breach of fiduciary duty and misrepresentation claims in connection with 401(k) pension plan. Obtained dismissal of all claims by District Court. On appeal, Fifth Circuit panel sustained the dismissal. Upon en banc rehearing, case was remanded to the District Court and dismissed before any further proceedings or discovery.
Federal Savings and Loan Association – AAA arbitration proceeding on behalf of federally chartered credit union asserting claims against Fortune 100 company for breach of licensing, hardware/software agreement, fraudulent inducement and witness tampering seeking recovery in excess of $1,000,000. Obtained arbitration award for full amount of damages sought.
Southwest Airlines Co. v. UBS Global Asset Management, Inc. – Represented the administrative committees for Southwest Airlines’ 401(k) and profit sharing plans against the plans’ investment fiduciary for breach of fiduciary duty, and aiding and abetting such duties. Obtained a significant settlement and payment in favor of the profit-sharing plans and their participants. Have also consulted and handled numerous other claims involving Southwest Airlines’ various pension and welfare benefit plans, including the handling of various disability claims, obtaining dismissal of injunctive relief sought in state courts and dismissal of claims in federal courts.
Electronic Signature/Vaulting Company – Defended leading internet electronic signature and vaulting company, its officers, directors and 22 equity holders in AAA arbitration proceeding filed by investors alleging breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, tortious interference, foreclosure of collateral, and minority shareholder oppression in connection with a series of complex financial transactions and restructuring. Following two week hearing obtained defense verdict on all counts.
Diversified Manufacturing Companies − Representation of companies, their directors (residents of Texas, Tennessee and England), and trustees of their retirement plan, in ERISA action in federal district court for the Eastern District of Tennessee for breach of fiduciary duties, removal of plan fiduciaries, audit and appraisal of plan assets. Obtained dismissal of all claims and judgment in favor of Defendants for attorneys’ fees, costs and sanctions. Also obtained judgment after six-week trial for breach of fiduciary duty against former administrators of plan and officers of company.
NSAD Brokerage Firm and related entities – Represented securities firms in defense of claims by bankruptcy trustee for third party seeking to obtain stock warrants and rights in connection with the initial public offering of stock of a corporation. Obtained summary judgment in favor clients, and sustained judgment on appeal. Also represented companies and their principal officer in NASD arbitration against individuals claims for violation of securities laws, control person liability and fraud, and at arbitration obtained dismissal of all claims.
Nationwide Security Firm − Representation of Company and its plan, and third party administrator, against hospital claims for misrepresentation and negligent misrepresentation of benefits/coverage, and DPTA violations, together with third party action by acquirer of Company assets. Obtained summary judgment on majority of claims, then effected removal to federal court and obtained complete dismissal. Thereafter engaged as counsel for prior co-defendant in action, obtained favorable state court verdict after two-week trial, and during appeal effected dismissal by settlement.
Department Store Chain − Representation of retirement plan of Company and its parent in Texas state court for a variety of claims from alleged wrongful discharge and denial of ERISA plan benefits under §510 of ERISA. After two-week state court trial, obtained full defense verdict for plans and award of costs against Plaintiff.
Real Estate Holding Company − Represented Texas based real estate corporation and its fiduciaries in U.S. Department of Labor action for ERISA violations, including breach of fiduciary duties, prohibited transactions, self-dealing, and lack of asset diversification, seeking damages, injunctive relief, and civil penalties. Resolved claims through consent decree with DOL and obtained payments to clients from third party national banking association trustee not a party to action.
Diversified Holding Company − Representation of Company, its Plan and member of administrative committee in connection with DOL investigation of Plan and its fiduciaries, resulting in no action being taken or assessment of fines by DOL. Also obtained for Company approval of prohibited transaction applications permitting assignment of fiduciary claims from Plan to Company and unsecured, non-recourse, interest-free loan from Company to Plan to be paid out of proceeds of litigation from assigned claims.
National Real Estate Company – Obtained Texas Supreme Court decision affirming dismissal of broker’s claims against a national commercial real estate company for tortious interference with contract and prospective business relations and civil conspiracy based on provisions of the Texas Real Estate License Act.

Distinctions & Certifications

Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America by Woodward White, Inc. - ERISA Litigation, 2018 - 2024
Selected as a “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America for Litigation — ERISA in Dallas-Fort Worth, 2023
Selected for inclusion in the “Texas Super Lawyers” list by Thomson Reuters, 2006, 2011
2018, 2024 D Magazine Best Lawyers in Dallas
AV Preeminent peer review rating in Martindale-Hubbell, 1997 to date
A.M. Best Recommended Insurance Attorney, 2009-2016
Texas Bar Foundation - Fellow
Dallas Bar Association - Life Fellow
Selected for America’s Top 100 High Stake Litigators Award

Professional Activities

State Bar of Texas - Litigation and Labor & Employment Sections
Dallas Bar Association - Business Litigation and Employee Benefits / Executive Compensation Sections
American Bar Association - Litigation Section
Federal Bar Association
Texas Bar Association
South Carolina Bar Association

Publications & Speeches

“ERISA Causes of Action and Remedies, Related Coverage Implications and DOL ‘Safe Harbor’ Requirements for Settlement of ERISA Litigation” - CLE Presentation
“Employer / Settlor Function under ERISA” - Impact on Administrative Claims and Litigation - CLE Presentation
“Basics of ERISA and Benefits / Fiduciary Litigation” - CLE Presentation
“ERISA Overview, Fiduciary Litigation and Life After Variety” - CLE Presentation
“ERISA Litigation: You Too Can Be Sued” - 15th Annual Southwest Pension Conference

Community Involvement

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Society, Inc.
- Secretary, 2016-2017
- Director, 2010-2017, 2019 to date
- Chair, Nomination and Development Committee, 2014-2015
- Member, Executive Committee, 2011-2017
- Member, Architecture & Construction Committee, 2010-present
Dallas Historical Society
- Board of Trustees, 2019 to date
- Member, Executive Committee, 2021 to date
- Chair, Nominating Committee, 2021 to date
- Member, Development Committee, 2019 - 2021
- Founding Member, Directors Inner Circle, 2024 to date
Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, Inc.
- Director, 1993-2003
- Member, Advisory Board, 2003-2013
- Member, RMH Executive Committee, 1997-1998
- Chairman, Personnel Committee, 1997-1998
- Member, RMH House Endowment Capital Campaign Committee, 1993-1995
Ronald McDonald House of Dallas Family Association Foundation, Trustee and Secretary, 1999-2011
Wilcox Endowment, Inc. d/b/a Springhill Retreat Center, Board of Trustees, 1994-1999
Dallas United Task Force (joint effort of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce and the Dallas Citizens Counsel), Member, 1985
University of Virginia Jefferson Scholars Foundation, Regional Selection Committee
University of South Carolina Alumni Association, Metroplex Chapter, Co-Founder
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Member and Leadership
- Congressional Nomination Committee, 2007
- Elder, 2002-2005
- Chair, Stewardship Education Committee, 2002-2004
- Co-Chair, Stewardship Campaign, 2001
- Member, Elder Nomination Committee, 1997
- Member, Children’s Ministry Division
- Member, Children’s Ministry Director Nomination Committee, 1996
- Usher, 1998-present
- Youth Sponsor, 2006-2011

Practice Areas

ERISA, Pension & Benefits
Litigation

Education

University of Virginia, Bachelor of Arts, Government, with Distinction, 1979
University of South Carolina, J.D., 1982

Admissions

United States Supreme Court
Fifth and Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Courts - All Districts of Texas
U.S. Central District of California
Northern District of Oklahoma
Eastern District of Tennessee
All Texas Courts
All South Carolina Courts