Our securities lawyers help investors recover losses through FINRA arbitration
While many investment losses are simply market related, in some cases these losses can be attributed to a financial advisor’s wish to generate commissions, failure to disclose the risks associated with an investment or error in evaluating which investments are suitable for each particular investor.
When an investor loses money, securities or other damages due to a broker or financial advisor misconduct, that investor is entitled to recover those damages.
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) regulates securities firms doing business within the United States, with the mission to protect investors by enforcing fair and honest operations in the U.S. securities industry.
When brokerage firms, broker-dealers, financial advisors or representatives breach their fiduciary duty to properly represent investments, disclose risks, supervise their brokers or otherwise violate FINRA rules and regulations or federal securities laws, investors have a claim to recover damages through the process of FINRA arbitration.
If you feel that you have suffered financial loss due to a broker or financial advisor’s negligence, fraud or other misconduct, our Herskovits PLLC FINRA arbitration attorneys can help recover your losses through the FINRA arbitration process. Filing an arbitration claim through is quicker and less formal than filing a lawsuit in the court system.
Connect with a veteran of 100s of FINRA arbitration matters, Robert Herskovits or a Herskovits PLLC team member for a confidential, no-cost evaluation of your claim: (212) 897-5410 or Report Online.
Financial Advisor or Broker Actions in Violation of FINRA RulesCommon types of broker and financial advisor misconduct include:
Investor claims against broker-dealers (investment brokerages), investment advisors and other industry professionals are filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
FINRA arbitration is less formal and proceeds much quicker than filing a lawsuit in court, and decisions are final with only rare instances of appeal allowed.
Step 1: Statement of ClaimAs your FINRA arbitration attorney, we prepare a “Statement of Claim” outlining the activity of the broker or advisor that led to your financial loss. The financial institution then has 45 days to file an answer to this Statement of Claim.
Step 2: Panel SelectionBoth parties must agree to the selection of the FINRA arbitrators who will preside over the arbitration proceedings. If the dispute involves over $100,000 in damages, three arbitrators will be selected for the panel. For claims involving $50,000 to $100,000 in damages, one arbitrator will be chosen. For claims involving less than $50,000, FINRA will adjudicate the claim based on your attorney’s legal briefs alone.
Step 3: DiscoveryYour FINRA arbitration attorney may request related documents from the brokerage firm. The investor should be able to produce account statements, receipts, correspondence and other documents related to the case. Depositions and other forms of discovery are typically not allowed in FINRA arbitration.
Step 4: HearingIf the dispute involves more than $50,000 in damages, your FINRA arbitration attorney will attend a hearing before the chosen panel of FINRA arbitrators. Arbitration consists of an opening statement, evidence presentation, witness questioning, cross-examination, and closing statements. The FINRA arbitration panel will then issue a decision within 30 days. Appeals are rare and only granted for clear error of law or fact on the part of the panel.
The entire process of FINRA arbitration is often completed within 12-18 months after the Statement of Claim is filed.
As arbitration decisions are final and appeals are rare, it is vital that you chose a law firm with deep experience and expertise in the intricacies of the securities business, the laws that govern investment advisors, and in the complex FINRA arbitration procedural rules and guidelines.
There are Time Limits to Make Your Claim so Act Quickly to Preserve Your RightsFINRA arbitration veteran Robert Herskovits has handled over 200 FINRA arbitrations. As experienced FINRA lawyers, the Herskovits PLLC team has taken on many of the nation’s leading financial institutions and recovered millions for investors through FINRA arbitration.
If you have investment losses in excess of $500,000 and believe those losses are related to a broker or financial advisor or broker-dealer misconduct, learn your options for FINRA arbitration today with a no-cost and confidential consultation with a Herskovits PLLC securities lawyer: (212) 897-5410 or Report Online.
Investor Claims Defense are You a Securities Professional or Firm Facing a FINRA Investor Claim and a FINRA Arbitration?Herskovits PLLC experienced regulatory defense lawyers help brokers, broker dealers and others defend themselves in FINRA’s arbitration process.
Too often when investors lose money in the market they look for someone to blame and some way to recoup their losses – unfortunately brokers, financial advisors, and broker dealers are an easy front line target. Exceptionally eager FINRA investors’ lawyers proactively pitch FINRA arbitration as a relatively quick and easy process to demand refunds, damages, attorneys’ fees and the rest.
With little to lose as investor lawyers typically work on a percentage, there is nothing to stop investors from seeking redress at FINRA arbitration and their counsel jockeying for settlements often based on weak or even spurious claims. A proactive defense in these cases can sometimes lead to a very favorable settlement or early dismissal.
We defend brokers, firms and advisors throughout the FINRA investor claim and arbitration process.
If you or your firm is facing a FINRA customer claim or you anticipate some trouble in the near future, give us a call for a no-cost confidential evaluation of your situation: (212) 897-5410.
Common FINRA Securities Arbitration ClaimsRobert Herskovits and the Herskovits PLLC FINRA arbitration attorneys have defended some of the world’s largest brokerage firms, mid-size broker dealers, and financial professionals – delivering positive outcomes in sometimes very challenging circumstances.
Common customer allegations of broker dealer and financial advisor misconduct resulting in customer losses brought to FINRA arbitration include:
If a claim is filed, we will use our decades of experience representing securities industry firms and professionals to work diligently in preparing a highly effective response, organize complete discovery and secure expert witnesses to support your case in FINRA arbitration.
Connect with a Herskovits PLLC securities lawyer to discuss your options now in a free, confidential consultation: (212) 897-5410 or Report Online.
The FINRA Arbitration Process (1) Statement of ClaimFINRA serves the claimant’s Statement of Claim on the respondent (defendant advisor or firm), containing the details of the dispute, relevant names, dates and type of relief requested. To be eligible for FINRA arbitration, claims must be filed within 6 years from the time the events giving rise to the dispute occurred.
(2) Answer to ClaimThe respondent’s attorney then prepares a written answer specifying the relevant facts and available defenses to the Statement of Claim within 45 days of receipt.
(3) Arbitrator SelectionFINRA uses the Neutral Leis Selection System (NLSS) to generate a random list of arbitrators from FINRA arbitrator rosters to appoint a panel. If the dispute involves over $100,000 in damages, three arbitrators are appointed. For claims involving $50,000 to $100,000 in damages, one arbitrator is appointed. For claims involving less than $50,000, FINRA adjudicates the claim based on legal briefs alone. Both parties must agree to the arbitration panelists.
(4) Prehearing ConferencesFINRA then schedules an Initial Prehearing Conference (IPHC) by telephone in which the arbitration panel speaks with both parties to schedule evidentiary hearing dates, discovery deadlines, briefing and motion deadlines and address other preliminary matters.
(5) DiscoveryAttorneys of both parties then request and deliver all documents related to the case. Depositions and other forms of discovery are not often involved in FINRA arbitration.
(6) HearingHearings take place in a location arranged by FINRA. The claimant seeks to prove his claims, the respondent then seeks to establish defenses to those claims and prove any counterclaims.
(7) Decision and AwardAfter the hearing, the arbitration panel decides what relief is due to the claimant, if any. Awards are based on majority vote in three panel arbitrations. A decision is issued within 30 days of the hearing closure. Arbitration generally takes 12-18 months to complete from the time the claim is filed until a decision is made.
(8) Challenge to Arbitration Award or DecisionFINRA does not have an appeals process and does not hear appeals on arbitration awards. However, the law permits a District Court to vacate or overturn an arbitration award if it finds that:
Appeals are rarely granted in FINRA arbitration. It is therefore vital that you obtain an expert FINRA arbitration attorney to prepare a bulletproof case from the outset.
Act Quickly to Preserve Your RightsLeading U.S. FINRA arbitration attorney Robert Herskovits and his team have represented broker-dealers, registered investment advisors (RIAs), financial advisors, broker-dealers, banks and others in well over 200 FINRA arbitrations.
There are strict time limits in the FINRA arbitration process so we encourage you to act quickly to preserve your rights and mount a proactive defense.
Robert Herskovits and the Herskovits PLLC team have repeatedly achieved full claim dismissals, decisive defense verdicts and expungement of all arbitration references for our clients. Outcomes vary depending on facts but experience and an exceptional track record should drive your decision on legal counsel.
If you are facing customer complaints or have received notice from FINRA, Robert Herskovits or another Herskovits PLLC FINRA arbitration lawyer will explain the process and evaluate your circumstance: (212) 897-5410 or Report Online.