Supreme Court Shadow Looms
Golumbic also cited a 2024 Eleventh Circuit decision backing Home Depot in a similar 401(k) dispute, arguing it aligned with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Hughes v. Northwestern University, which allows fiduciaries a “range of reasonable judgments.”
When Circuit Judge Jill A. Pryor asked whether the panel should wait for the Supreme Court to decide a pending Intel Corp. 401(k) case, attorneys on both sides agreed it wasn’t necessary. They said the Intel case focuses on pleading standards, while Royal Caribbean’s dispute has already advanced to summary judgment.
What Comes Next
After arguments concluded, Specht said the lower court misapplied ERISA’s causation standard. “We’re grateful for the appellate panel’s careful attention to this case and look forward to its decision,” he said.
Representatives for Royal Caribbean and Russell did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The panel consisted of Circuit Judges Jill A. Pryor, Robert J. Luck and Andrew L. Brasher.
