AutoZone Prevails in 401(k) Class Action Trial

On September 30, 2025, Judge Mark S. Norris of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee issued a 41-page opinion entering judgment for AutoZone after a seven-day bench trial. The plaintiffs alleged that AutoZone breached its fiduciary duties under ERISA by failing to replace the plan’s stable value fund and by permitting Prudential’s GoalMaker program to direct participants into higher-cost, actively managed funds. The court rejected these claims, finding that AutoZone prudently monitored the plan’s investments, acted on the advice of outside experts, and made appropriate changes within a reasonable timeframe.

Bass, Berry & Sims served as local trial counsel alongside Morgan Lewis. Led by John Golwen, our team also included David Thornton and Jonathan Nelson. The case was covered in several media outlets including:

On September 30, 2025, Judge Mark S. Norris of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee issued a 41-page opinion entering judgment for AutoZone after a seven-day bench trial. The plaintiffs alleged that AutoZone breached its fiduciary duties under ERISA by failing to replace the plan’s stable value fund and by permitting Prudential’s GoalMaker program to direct participants into higher-cost, actively managed funds. The court rejected these claims, finding that AutoZone prudently monitored the plan’s investments, acted on the advice of outside experts, and made appropriate changes within a reasonable timeframe.

Bass, Berry & Sims served as local trial counsel alongside Morgan Lewis. Led by John Golwen, our team also included David Thornton and Jonathan Nelson. The case was covered in several media outlets including: