FINRA Arbitration Attorneys
Representing investors nationwide in claims against brokerage firms and financial advisors over investment losses.
FINRA arbitration is the private forum where investors bring claims against brokerage firms and the financial professionals who advised them. Most brokerage account agreements require it in place of court, and the resulting award is binding.
Industria Business Lawyers LLP represents investors in these claims nationwide. The firm structures private securities offerings and drafts the disclosure documents behind them, so when a recommendation goes wrong we read the offering materials, account records, and suitability representations the way the people who prepare them do.
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Discuss Your Investment Loss with Our Team
Claims We Bring in FINRA Arbitration
Investor claims turn on what was recommended, what was disclosed, and whether the investment ever fit the client. Related: Investment Loss Recovery and Securities Compliance and Offering Regulation.
Unsuitable Recommendations
A recommendation is unsuitable when it does not match the investor’s objectives, time horizon, or risk tolerance. FINRA’s suitability rule requires a reasonable basis to believe a recommendation fits the customer, and Regulation Best Interest raises that standard for retail recommendations. Suitability is a legal obligation, not a courtesy.
Misrepresentation and Omission
Claims arise when material facts about an investment’s risk, liquidity, costs, or conflicts were misstated or left out. What the offering documents actually disclosed, compared with what the investor was told at the point of sale, is usually the center of the case.
Overconcentration
Overconcentration occurs when too much of an account sits in a single security, sector, or illiquid product. Diversification failures often surface only after the position falls, when the investor discovers the portfolio was never balanced.
Excessive or Unauthorized Trading
Excessive trading, sometimes called churning, is trading that serves the broker’s compensation rather than the client’s objectives. Unauthorized trading is activity in a non-discretionary account without the customer’s approval.
Private Placements and Alternatives
Private placements, non-traded REITs, structured notes, and alternative funds carry illiquidity and concentration risks that are frequently understated when they are sold. This is the category IBL knows from the issuer side. See Investment Loss Recovery.
Failure to Supervise
Brokerage firms are responsible for supervising their registered representatives. A supervision claim reaches the firm itself, not only the individual broker, which matters when the representative is no longer in the industry.
When IBL Is Engaged
Investor claims move through defined stages. Engagement most commonly begins at one of the following points.
Before filing. Review of account statements, offering documents, correspondence, and the firm’s own disclosures to assess whether a claim exists and against whom it runs.
At filing. Preparation and filing of the Statement of Claim with FINRA Dispute Resolution Services, and selection of the arbitrator panel.
Through discovery. Pursuit of the firm’s internal records, supervisory files, and product due-diligence materials.
At hearing. Presentation of the claim to the panel, including expert testimony where the product or the damages model requires it.
After the award. Confirmation, collection, and the narrow grounds on which an award can be challenged. See FINRA Arbitration Awards.
What Our Clients Say About Us
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I would recommend working with Aaron and team.”
Julien Genestoux from Unlock, Inc
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Their expertise supports every aspect of our corporate legal needs, and they consistently deliver thorough, cost-effective, and timely work. For any small business looking for dependable and knowledgeable corporate counsel, we wholeheartedly recommend IBL.”
Felipe Pinto from Revolve Labs
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In a world surrounded by corporate lawyers, IBL stands out as a very human firm. As a result, we’ve continued to rely on them as our go-to legal counsel for ongoing corporate matters.”
Zachary Panos from Fourcaster LLC
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From the very beginning, their team demonstrated exceptional expertise and a deep understanding of the complex legal landscape surrounding our Fund.
The attorneys were incredibly responsive, guiding me through every step of the process with clarity and professionalism.
They took the time to address all my questions and concerns, ensuring that I felt confident in each decision we made. Their attention to detail and thoroughness were evident in the documents they prepared, which gave me peace of mind knowing that everything was handled properly. What stood out most was their commitment to my vision. They not only provided legal advice but also offered valuable insights into the industry, helping me navigate potential challenges and seize opportunities. Their strategic approach was instrumental in setting up a robust fund structure that aligns with my goals.
Overall, working with IBL was a fantastic experience. They made a complex process manageable and stress-free. If you’re looking to establish a PE fund or need any legal assistance in this area, look no further than IBL Thank you for your outstanding support!”
Jeff from Solar Carbon Credit Fund
Tell Us About Your Matter
How We Work an Investor Claim
Case Assessment +
Account statements, the product, and the paper trail reviewed before we advise whether a claim is worth bringing and against whom it runs
Offering Document Analysis +
The offering memorandum, prospectus, or subscription documents read against what the investor was actually told at the point of sale
Statement of Claim +
The Statement of Claim drafted to frame the facts, the causes of action, and the damages theory for the panel
Panel Selection +
The arbitrator list evaluated and strikes exercised with attention to background, prior awards, and the profile of the case
Discovery +
The firm’s supervisory records, internal communications, and product due-diligence files pursued under the FINRA Discovery Guide
Hearing Presentation +
The claim presented to the panel with documentary evidence and, where the product or damages model requires it, expert testimony
Award and Enforcement +
Confirmation, collection, and the limited post-award options addressed once the panel issues its written award
FAQ
01 • Securities What is FINRA arbitration?
FINRA arbitration is a binding private process for resolving disputes between investors and brokerage firms or their registered representatives. A panel of neutral arbitrators hears evidence and issues a final award.
The Supreme Court upheld the enforceability of predispute arbitration agreements between brokerage firms and their customers in Shearson/American Express Inc. v. McMahon, 482 U.S. 220 (1987), and extended that holding to Securities Act claims in Rodriguez de Quijas v. Shearson/American Express, Inc., 490 U.S. 477 (1989).
Read more: What Is FINRA Arbitration.
02 • Securities Do I need a lawyer for FINRA arbitration?
Representation is not required, but it is generally advisable. FINRA arbitration follows formal procedures and evidentiary practice, and brokerage firms are represented by experienced defense counsel. General information is available from FINRA.
03 • Securities How long do I have to file a claim?
FINRA’s Code of Arbitration Procedure sets an eligibility limit measured from the events giving rise to the dispute, and separate statutes of limitation may apply to the underlying causes of action. Waiting narrows the available options, so a claim should be reviewed promptly. See FINRA Arbitration Rules.
04 • Securities Can a FINRA arbitration award be appealed?
Rarely. Awards are binding and judicial review is narrow. Under the Federal Arbitration Act as construed in Hall Street Associates, L.L.C. v. Mattel, Inc., 552 U.S. 576 (2008), courts confirm, vacate, or modify awards only on the statutory grounds. In Frazier v. CitiFinancial Corp., LLC, 604 F.3d 1313 (11th Cir. 2010), the Eleventh Circuit held that after Hall Street the judicially created grounds for vacatur it had previously recognized are no longer valid, leaving only the statutory bases.
05 • Securities What kinds of losses can be recovered?
An award may include compensation for losses and, depending on the case, interest and costs. Outcomes depend on the facts, the evidence, and the panel. We do not predict results.
Talk to a Securities Attorney About Your Losses
Tell us what you were sold, when, and by whom, or call (202) 860-1210 to speak with IBL’s securities counsel.
This page provides general legal information about FINRA arbitration and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Rules, procedures, and case law change. Information is current as of August 2026. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.