Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)

Littler represents FINRA member firms in arbitrations and related court proceedings on a national basis. We are well versed in all aspects of FINRA’s Code of Arbitration Procedures and in our client’s regulatory obligations to FINRA. We maintain a robust arbitrator database; staff arbitrations in a cost-effective manner; and are trained in providing appropriate risk assessments relating to claims as part of our early case assessment protocols. We have collectively handled hundreds of FINRA arbitrations over the past 10 years.

Littler’s FINRA practice benefits from access to invaluable resources, including:

• Shareholders who previously served as in-house counsel in charge of FINRA arbitrations and who oversee the budget and staffing of all matters
• Experienced, successful litigators
• Littler CaseSmart staffing model, which maintains a dedicated team of counsel knowledgeable about a client’s policies and procedures, to help streamline discovery and minimize the costs associated with the collection and production of documents
• A robust library of best-in-class confidentiality agreements, information requests, ESI protocols, and other regularly used FINRA discovery documents
• Access to Littler’s Knowledge Management department, which is made up of experienced employment attorneys, technologists, legal researchers and content administrators, who are dedicated to enhancing client access to the firm's considerable knowledge and resources, including an up-to-date library of arbitrators.
• Our attorneys are trained in and provide training sessions on U-5 reporting procedures and the defense of U-5 defamation claims, protocols regarding appropriate background checks and related enforcement of statutory disqualifications, as well as alternative procedures for expungement of information from the CRD, and other claims that are unique to the FINRA forum

Simply stated, we understand that our clients want to be successful in a FINRA arbitration, while at the same time minimizing their litigation spend and protecting their business reputation. These goals drive Littler’s FINRA practice.