Court Denied Motion to Dismiss Jacobi Lawsuit

A federal court rejected a motion to dismiss a breach of contract case filed against John Jacobi.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a stone archway, representing the gravity of federal judicial rulings. — A federal court has denied John Jacobi’s motion to dismiss a breach of contract lawsuit brought by Acrisure and SWDS Holdings. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A federal court has denied John Jacobi's motion to dismiss or transfer a breach of contract lawsuit brought by Acrisure, LLC and SWDS Holdings, Inc. The court simultaneously issued a preliminary injunction against Jacobi after finding a likelihood of success on the merits.

Why it matters

The ruling affirms the enforceability of forum selection clauses in employment contracts, establishing that the case can proceed in its current venue. This decision highlights the legal weight courts place on these contractual agreements when addressing jurisdictional disputes.

The court rejected a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction, upholding the enforceability of the forum selection clause within the employment contract. The court also granted a preliminary injunction without an evidentiary hearing due to insufficient evidence to the contrary.

The players

John Jacobi

He is the defendant in a breach of contract lawsuit who previously requested a dismissal or change of venue.

Acrisure, LLC

This company is one of the plaintiffs that filed the breach of contract lawsuit against John Jacobi.

SWDS Holdings, Inc.

This company acts as a co-plaintiff alongside Acrisure, LLC in the ongoing litigation against the defendant.

Edgewood Partners Insurance Center

This firm is identified in court documents as the business entity receiving accounts allegedly transferred by the defendant.

The details

Plaintiffs Acrisure, LLC and SWDS Holdings, Inc. allege that Jacobi influenced customers to move their business to Edgewood Partners Insurance Center. The court determined that the first-to-file rule did not prevent the litigation from moving forward.

The court issued the ruling on the motion and injunction on September 22, 2026.

Market Landscape

The court's decision clarifies how judicial systems interpret forum selection clauses when disputes arise over client migration between firms. This ruling reinforces existing standards for how corporate entities can enforce contractual obligations during talent and client transitions.

Clients of insurance firms may see shifts in service continuity if courts increasingly enforce restrictive clauses that limit where former employees can conduct business. This ruling impacts how companies and their departing staff navigate legal disputes regarding client ownership and contractual obligations.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical importance of reviewing forum selection clauses within professional employment agreements before they are signed. Businesses and individuals should be aware that these clauses are frequently upheld as binding in federal court during contractual disputes.