CClaimWatch
In litigation — no settlement yetemployment

Northwestern University ERISA Class Action

Verified September 19, 2026Found via the federal court docketHow ClaimWatch verifies cases

Still being litigated: the claims below are allegations, not findings, and there is no settlement, claim form or payout yet.

Where this case stands

In litigation

The case has been filed and is being fought in court. There is no settlement, no claim form and no payout yet; many class actions are dismissed or never certified.

Pending in the District Court, N.D. Illinois (No. 1:25-cv-06849).

  1. June 20, 2025
    Case filed

What happened

A proposed class action against Northwestern University concerning alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The lawsuit involves claims related to employee retirement or benefit plans, potentially affecting Northwestern employees who participated in or were covered by the university's ERISA-governed benefit programs.

Do you qualify?

No settlement exists yet, so there is nothing to file and no class definition to check. If the case settles, the settlement will define exactly who qualifies — watch this case and we'll let you know.

How to file

There is no claim to file yet. If this case reaches a settlement, a claim process will open — usually with an official settlement website and a filing deadline.

Common questions

Can I file a claim in the Northwestern University ERISA Class Action case?
No. The case is still being litigated — there is no settlement, no claim form, and no payout. It was filed June 20, 2025 in the District Court, N.D. Illinois (No. 1:25-cv-06849).What a class action lawsuit is →
Who are the attorneys in the Northwestern University ERISA Class Action?
For the plaintiffs: Cole Alexander Birkeland (Nichols Kaster, PLLP); Brock Specht (Nichols Kaster, PLLP); Donald Wayne Bivens (Don Bivens, Pllc); Benjamin Bauer (Nichols Kaster, PLLP). For Northwestern University: Sean Robert Connolly (Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC); Lars C. Golumbic (Groom Law Group, Chtd.); Mark Christopher Nielsen (Groom Law Group); Kathryn Elizabeth Panish (Groom Law Group, Chartered). From the public court docket.

Who's involved

Plaintiffs

  • Timothy Peterson
  • Bruce Lindvall
  • Natalie Barbich

Defendants

  • Northwestern University Executive Director, Benefits & Work/Life Resources
  • Does 1-20
  • Northwestern University

Counsel for plaintiffs

Counsel for defendants

Other cases these firms appear in

From the public court docket, contact details as filed; not an endorsement.

Guides:What is a class action lawsuit?How class membership worksYour options as a class member

Summarised from public settlement documents; confirm terms on the official settlement website. ClaimWatch is not a law firm, and filing a claim is free.

More employment settlements

View all →
January 11, 2028No proof neededemployment

TBJ Drywall & Taping Wage Settlement

Amount varies by worker; see mailed/emailed notice for individual amount

Deadline TBDemployment

AOCLSC INC. Wage and Hour Settlement

Deadline TBDemployment

PacBell Employment Practices Settlement

A sum of money based on the number of workweeks worked for Defendant from January 1, 2021 to October 23, 2025