The wait for the jury trial between Edelman Financial Engines and Mariner Wealth Advisors is going into extra time due to the World Cup.
Edelman’s suit alleging that Mariner enticed numerous advisors to break non-solicitation agreements was originally set to begin on July 6.
But Kansas Federal Court Judge Holly Teeter suggested the court delay the trial “given anticipated complications from the World Cup games in Kansas City.” Both parties agreed that the trial would begin on Dec. 7, with an estimated length of 10 days.
The World Cup is coming to North America starting June 11, 2026, with the opening match at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Approximately 45 countries will compete in cities throughout Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Kansas City will host at least six matches during the tournament, according to the FIFA World Cup website. The first match will be between Argentina and Algeria on June 16, with the matches also scheduled for July 3 and a quarterfinal matchup set for July 11.
Edelman first sued Mariner in 2023, alleging that, by enticing advisors to break their non-solicitation agreements, they encouraged former Edelman advisors to breach trade secrets. Mariner responded that Edelman was using the threat of a lawsuit to send a “chilling public message” to “stifle fair competition.”
Last year, Edelman accused Mariner CEO Marty Bicknell of personally trying to entice at least one Edelman advisor to switch firms. According to Edelman’s motion, Bicknell called Edelman advisor Michael Horne to sell the switch to Mariner; Horne resigned from Edelman in 2021.
In later court documents, Bicknell acknowledged speaking to Horne before he’d been hired, though there were no details of what the conversation entailed.
Last fall, Edelman and Mariner filed motions to exclude expert testimony from the opposing side, and each filed oppositions to the summary judgment motions that both firms previously submitted (in summary judgment, a judge rules in favor of one party before a full trial).
Despite setting a new trial date, the court has not yet ruled on motions from each party seeking a ruling in their favor, which could make the change in trial date moot.
Mariner and Edelman declined to comment for this story.
