"[This issue discusses] the issues involved in whether and when arbitration may apply to ERISA claims and whether an employer or fiduciary may wish to require arbitration. [Recent court rulings] could permit plan sponsors to avoid defending class action ERISA claims in federal court by conditioning employment on arbitration agreements, as well as avoid classwide arbitration. However ... the recent case law applying the Supreme Court rulings in employment claims appears to suggest that some courts may look to find means to distinguish ERISA claims and thereby preclude the use of arbitration clauses in this manner."  MORE >>