Kinder Morgan’s Outside Attorney to be Deposed in Pension Suit

Longtime employees of a Kinder Morgan Inc. subsidiary can force an outside attorney for the company to sit for a deposition in their lawsuit saying a series of corporate acquisitions led to cuts in their pension benefits.

Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo on Thursday granted the employees’ request to depose a Stoel Rives LLP attorney who advised Kinder Morgan with respect to its pension plan.

The attorney has “unique knowledge” relevant to the workers’ claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, because she drafted letters to plan participants about their benefits, reviewed and advised on pension claims, and possess ...