SmolenPlevy Principal Dan Ruttenberg Presents Case Before the Supreme Court of the United States

On Monday, April 22, SmolenPlevy Principal Dan Ruttenberg presented an oral argument before the Supreme Court of the United States.  In the case of Hillman v. Maretta, a husband had life insurance through the Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Plan and named his then-wife as his beneficiary.  When he divorced and later remarried, he failed to change who was designated the beneficiary of his policy. Upon his death, his ex-wife received the insurance proceeds.  His widow sought to recover the insurance benefits from his ex-wife.

Ruttenberg answered numerous questions posed to him by the panel of nine Supreme Court Justices.  Though the court won’t issue their decision for a few months, Ruttenberg is thrilled for the opportunity to appear before them.  “I never thought I’d have this opportunity,” he said.  “Being in front of the nine Justices was an amazing experience.”

And the lesson to be learned from this case?  According to Ruttenberg, “Make sure your estate plan is up to date, so you don’t have to go before the United States Supreme Court to get your final wishes fulfilled.”

Ruttenberg’s case is prominently featured on the front page of WTOP.com, and has received notable coverage from The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and The Associated Press.  To learn more about the case, click here, or click this link to listen to Dan Ruttenberg on WTOP. Click here to view the PR Web release.