A New York life insurer is taking one of its former advisors to court, and the case is a sharp reminder of how seriously the wealth industry guards its client books.
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, better known as TIAA, has sued Jesse Dusablon, a former Wealth Management Advisor who resigned in March and, the suit says, resurfaced at a smaller competitor, MBM Wealth Consultants. According to the filing in Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America v. Jesse Dusablon, No. 3:26-cv-01101 (M.D. Fla.), Dusablon has been reaching out to TIAA clients – despite signing a non-solicitation agreement and, the firm claims, assuring it he was doing no such thing.
TIAA says Dusablon joined the firm in November 2017 and, over the years, became familiar with clients who together invested more than $400 million with the company. The suit says he signed a Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation Agreement on November 2, 2017 that barred him from interfering with TIAA client relationships for 12 months after leaving and from misusing the firm's confidential information.
He gave notice on March 2, 2026, and his last day was April 1. Within a week, TIAA claims, he had already contacted a client. The firm sent him a letter on April 8 reminding him of his obligations.
His April 9 response, according to the filing, was that he could not "recall talking to any specific client" and that "[c]lients have found me in various ways and I have marketed myself generally in the community as I am permitted to do." He added: "I am not soliciting any clients."
That assurance, TIAA alleges, did not hold up. On April 16, the suit says, a second client told the firm Dusablon had reached out. On April 22, the filing states, a third client emailed that she was "surprised to receive a call from Jesse Dusablon," who, according to the email, "cited his reasons for leaving TIAA," mentioned that another person from the Ames, Iowa office had left the same week and that "someone else in the wealth management area had been let go," and "offered his services with a new, smaller company." The same client wrote: "When other advisors have departed TIAA, they have honored either a written or assumed non-compete clause and not reached out."
TIAA has filed three claims – breach of contract, breach of the duty of loyalty, and unfair competition – and is asking the court for an injunction, compensatory and punitive damages, liquidated damages, and attorneys' fees. The agreement is governed by New York law and, per the filing, lets TIAA pursue emergency relief and expedited discovery the moment a breach is suspected.
For advisors weighing a move, the filing is a reminder of how quickly former employers can move when client relationships are at stake – and how a written denial of solicitation can become the centerpiece of the case against you.
The allegations have not been tested in court. Dusablon has not yet filed a response, and no judge has ruled on any of the claims.
Retiring RIA seller David Laidlaw alleges the Carnegie valued his stake on $11.7 million EBITA while pitching potential buyers on $21.3 million.
New tool gives RIAs and family offices AI help vetting private market deals, with some users reportedly halving review time.
Investors got projected returns dressed up as real ones, SEC says
Parents must still act to get the $1,000 federal seed and employer contributions, giving financial advisors a role in the rollout.
FINRA booted Rudy Anguiano from the industry for “conversion - the intentional and unauthorized taking of another person’s property.”
As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor
Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains
