Years ago, I handled the defense of a FINRA Enforcement case that still galls me. The client sent a series of emails, over many months, about a particular security to customers who already owned the stock. The point of the emails was largely to provide updates, and, from time-to-time, to suggest that the customers consider
Defenses
Lost at Sea: Why FINRA’s Lack of Formal Guidance to CCOs Could Leave Them Adrift in Dangerous Regulatory Waters
In Homer’s epic poem the Odyssey, Odysseus and the crew of his ship are faced with the impossible choice of either sailing closer to Charybdis, a whirlpool capable of sinking their entire ship, or, alternatively, to Scylla, a sea monster just as deadly. Odysseus’ dilemma sprang to mind as I listened to a presentation…
What In The Wells Is Going On With FINRA’s “Wells” Process?
With any luck, you can go your entire career in the securities industry without ever participating in the dreaded “Wells process.” And that’s a good thing, as the Wells process occurs only after FINRA has completed an examination and has concluded that whatever it has encountered is so serious that a formal disciplinary action is…
If You’re a Respondent, Time is NOT on Your Side
There was a decision this week from the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on an appeal of a decision by a respondent who – stop the presses! – lost an SEC administrative proceeding, and then lost his appeal to the SEC. Montford and Company, Inc. v. SEC, No. 14-1126 (July 10, 2015). One of…