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Practice Area: Securities

Enhancements To Finra’s Disclosure Review Verification Process Permits Firms To Rely On Process For Compliance With Public Financial Records Searches Of Applicants And Registered Persons

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Beginning on July 9, 2018, FINRA is enhancing its disclosure review process to enable it to conduct a public records search of information relating to bankruptcies, judgments and liens, within fifteen calendar days from the date of an applicant’s Form U4. These enhancements will allow FINRA to verify the accuracy and completeness of an applicants’…
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Finra Revises The Sanction Guidelines

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FINRA revised its Sanction Guidelines to instruct adjudicators in the disciplinary process to consider customer-initiated arbitrations that result in adverse arbitration awards or settlements when assessing sanctions. As a result, when a Respondent’s disciplinary history, and history of arbitration awards and arbitration settlements, together with the violation found in a disciplinary case, form a pattern,…
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U.S. Appeals Court Vacates Obama Era ‘Fiduciary Rule’ Requiring Financial Advisors To Act In Customers’ Best Interest

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On March 15, 2018, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans voided the U.S. Department of Labor’s “fiduciary rule” adopted by the Obama administration in 2016 as a means to limit and reduce conflicts of interest among financial advisors providing retirement planning advice. The majority found in the case, Chamber of Commerce…
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Finra Seeks Comment On Proposed New Rule Governing Outside Business Activities And Private Securities Transactions

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FINRA launched a retrospective review of its outside business activities and private securities transactions rules in May of 2017 to assess their effectiveness and efficiency. This request for comment stems from that review of FINRA Rule 3270 (Outside Business Activities of Registered Persons) and FINRA Rule 3280 (Private Securities Transactions of an Associated Person). The…
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Finra Arbitration 2017 Statistics

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Arbitration case filings through December 2017 reflected a 6 percent decrease compared to cases filed in 2016 during the same time frame.  More specifically, 3,681 cases were filed in 2016, but 3,456 cases were filed in 2017.  Of the 3,456 cases filed, 65 percent or 2,260 were customer disputes and 35 percent or 1,196 were…
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Highlights From The Finra 2018 Regulatory And Examination Priorities Letter

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FINRA released its annual list of Regulatory and Examination Priorities for 2018.  FINRA will continue its focus on high-risk and recidivist brokers in terms of rulemaking initiatives and examinations. This year’s priority includes strengthening the current operation, while becoming more efficient.   The focus on senior and unsophisticated investors, which was highlighted in years past,…
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Arbitration Panel Grants Expungement In Recent Case

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Our firm recently obtained an award from a FINRA panel granting a Motion for Expungement.  The claim (Arbitration number 16-01770) was filed in June, 2016 and alleged negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, negligent supervision, and breach of contract.  The claims were related to charges Claimant suffered when he surrendered a fixed annuity and losses he…
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Finra Seeks Comment On The Efficacy Of Allowing Compensated Non Attorneys To Represent Parties In Arbitration

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The FINRA Codes of Arbitration and Mediation Procedure currently allow compensated non-attorney representatives (“NAR”) to represent clients in securities arbitration and mediation subject to some exceptions.  Some parties are represented by relatives or friends who assist with case preparation or presentation.  NAR firms typically provide public investors an alternative to representation by attorneys in disputes…
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The Alabama Supreme Court Confirms Discovery Must Be Limited In State Court While A Motion To Compel Arbitration Is Pending

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In Ex parte Locklear Chrysler Jeep Dodge, LLC and Locklear Automotive Group, Inc., the Alabama Supreme Court granted a Petition for Writ of Mandamus (“Petition”), finding that the trial court exceeded its discretion when it granted a Motion to Compel discovery on issues unrelated to arbitration while a Motion to Compel arbitration was presently pending….
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October Is Finra Mediation Settlement Month

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Every October, FINRA’s Office of Dispute Resolution significantly reduces mediation prices in order to encourage mediation and settlement of customer and industry disputes.  The goal of Settlement Month is to encourage parties to experience the benefits of mediation for the first time and to reinforce its value and effectiveness for those who have been through…
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