Securities Arbitration: Dispute Resolution through FINRA

FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) provides a robust forum for the arbitration and mediation of disputes that arise between a customer and a financial advisor or securities brokerage firm.  In fact, in most instances of disputes between an investor and a brokerage firm, an investor must seek redress through FINRA arbitration because of mandatory arbitration provisions that exist in nearly all account-opening agreements. By fully describing the FINRA arbitration process and its primary components, attorneys Kevin Galbraith and Michael Giarrusso offer viewers professional insight and perspective on a range of issues, including vetting a potential case, preparing and filing a Statement of Claim, and shepherding that claim to a potential settlement or ultimately a hearing.

Learning Objectives

1. FINRA - a brief background and its mission to ensure integrity of financial markets
2. JURISDICTION - understand and appreciate that FINRA may be the exclusive forum in which investors may pursue their legal remedies
3. TIMELINESS OF CLAIM - application of FINRA’s eligibility rule
4. VETTING A POTENTIAL CASE - how to identify a viable case
5. PREPARING A STATEMENT OF CLAIM - how to draft a Statement of Claim on behalf of an investor
6. THE REMAINING COMPONENTS OF FINRA ARBITRATION - understanding the basics of navigating the remainder of the arbitration process, including panel selection, discovery and motion practice, potential settlement and hearing.

This course originally appeared as a part of our September 2014 Bridge the Gap Event.