Mark J. Astarita, Esq. is a nationally recognized securities attorney, representing clients in securities investigations, arbitrations and litigation matters across the country. You can contact him at 212-509-6544 or by email at mja@sallahlaw.com While securities law is itself a specialized field of law, there is more than one type of […]
Arbitration
Securities arbitration refers to the alternative dispute resolution process to resolve claims between broker firms and their customers and employees. FINRA operates the largest arbitration forum in the United States for the resolution of these disputes.
While no one can be forced to give up their rights to a trial in court, virtually all agreements between investors and their stockbrokers include mandatory arbitration agreements, and every registered stockbroker is required to arbitrate their disputes with their customers and firms.
Our site has been providing information regarding securities arbitration since 1995, starting with Overview of the Securities Arbitration Process. We update the site on a regular basis and invite you to explore our commentary and links and to ask questions.
Prefer to talk by phone? Call Mark Astarita at 212-509-6544 with any questions regarding securities law, enforcement and arbitration.
What is Securities Arbitration?
Securities arbitration has become the most often used method of resolving disputes in the securities industry. Since the late 1970’s, FINRA and its predecessors have required brokerage firms and stock brokers into securities arbitration to resolve their disputes with each other, and with their customers. That requirement led to brokerage […]
Securities Arbitration Overview-2023 Update
Securities Arbitration is not like any other proceeding Nationally known securities attorney Mark Astarita has represented broker-dealers, investment advisers, hedge funds, investment partnerships, individual brokers, and investors across the country for over 30 years in well over 600 securities arbitrations. To find out if he can help you with your […]
Tips for a Successful Securities Mediation
Tips for a Successful Securities Mediation Securities arbitration is a proven method for resolving disputes in the securities industry. It is a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to traditional court proceedings. With increasing frequency, investors and advisors are turning to mediation to make the process even more effective. Mediation is […]
What is FINRA
FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Association, is the successor to the National Association of Securities Dealers and is authorized by Congress to regulate and oversee the broker-dealer industry, insuring that it operates fairly and honestly. It oversees over 4,000 brokerage firms and more than 600,000 brokers across the country—and analyzes […]
UBS Pays $14.1 Million Defamation Award to Compliance Officer
After years of appealing the arbitrators’ decision, UBS finally pays. The appeals of the original arbitration award increased the amount UBS had to pay by a reported $3 million. According to AdvisorHub, in his arbitration complaint filed in June 2018, the compliance officer alleged UBS defamed him on his U5 […]
Morgan Stanley Deferred Comp Claims
Morgan Stanley may have violated ERISA rules when it cancelled certain deferred compensation assets for brokers who left the firm. We are investigating claims for Morgan Stanley advisors who were denied their deferred compensaton payments when they left the firm. There is a proposed class action pending, but individual advisors […]
UBS YES Losses?
Investors who lost money in UBS’ Yield Enhancement Strategy (YES) may be able to recover their losses
Amazon Ends Mandatory Arbitration – Consumer Benefit?
By now every Amazon customer is aware that Amazon has changed its terms of service to remove the pre-dispute arbitration agreement. Many consumer advocates are praising the move, but have they really analyzed the change? I have represented parties in over 600 securities arbitrations, and a handful of commercial arbitrations. […]
UBS Keeps Losing its Attempt to Vacate $11-Mln Finra Award
Back in December 2019 UBS lost an arbitration case brought by Mark Munizzi, a former UBS regional compliance officer in Chicago, whom the wirehouse fired in 2018. His claim was based on his allegations UBS defamed him with the language it put on his U5 form filed with the Central […]