FINRA Attorneys │ Bakhtiari & Harrison — Nationwide Representation

Bakhtiari & Harrison are FINRA attorneys representing investors and financial professionals in FINRA arbitration, securities litigation, and regulatory proceedings across the United States. Over four decades, the firm has recovered more than $250 million for clients. Ryan Bakhtiari served as Chairman of the FINRA National Arbitration and Mediation Committee and as President of PIABA. Partner David Harrison is a former New York City assistant district attorney and ex-Morgan Stanley in-house counsel who began his career as a Series 7-licensed registered representative at Shearson Lehman Brothers. Initial consultations are free. Investor cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — no recovery, no fee.

What Bakhtiari & Harrison’s FINRA attorneys do

Bakhtiari & Harrison provides FINRA attorney representation across two distinct client groups, each with different needs and legal strategies.

For investors, the firm files and prosecutes FINRA arbitration claims to recover losses caused by broker fraud, unsuitable investments, misrepresentation, churning, unauthorized trading, and financial mismanagement. The firm has represented individual investors, high-net-worth clients, professional athletes, and institutional investors in complex FINRA proceedings against major Wall Street firms.

For financial professionals — including registered representatives, brokers, and RIAs — the firm defends against customer complaints, represents clients in FINRA regulatory investigations, pursues expungement of meritless CRD disclosures, and handles employment disputes including compensation claims, promissory note defense, and wrongful termination.

Why FINRA arbitration requires specialized counsel

FINRA arbitration is not the same as court litigation. It operates under its own procedural rules, its own discovery framework, and its own standards for arbitrator selection. Awards are binding and virtually unreviewable on the merits. The quality of representation — from the Statement of Claim through the evidentiary hearing — determines the outcome.

Brokerage firms are represented by experienced, well-resourced defense counsel who handle FINRA arbitration cases every day. Investors and financial professionals deserve equally specialized representation.

Ryan Bakhtiari served as Chairman of the FINRA National Arbitration and Mediation Committee — the advisory body that makes rules and policy for FINRA arbitration — and presently serves as a FINRA arbitrator. This is a level of institutional knowledge of FINRA arbitration that no general practice firm can offer.

How FINRA arbitration works — step by step

1. File a Statement of Claim. The claimant files with FINRA’s Dispute Resolution Services, describing the dispute, identifying the parties, and specifying damages. Filing fees range from $50 to $1,800 depending on claim size.
2. Respondent files an Answer. The brokerage firm or broker has 45 days to respond.
3. Arbitrator selection. Both parties receive lists of potential arbitrators and have the opportunity to rank and strike candidates. For claims over $100,000, a three-person panel is typically used.
4. Pre-hearing conferences and discovery. The parties exchange documents and information. FINRA’s discovery rules are more limited than federal court but still require careful management.
5. Both sides present evidence and argument before the arbitration panel. Hearings typically last one to several days.
6. The panel issues a written award, usually within 30 days of the close of the hearing. Awards are binding and enforceable in federal court.

Bakhtiari & Harrison’s FINRA track record

The firm’s partners have collectively handled more than 50 years of FINRA arbitration and securities litigation matters. Selected results include:

• $54 million arbitration award against Citigroup Global Markets (2011) — the largest FINRA award of that year, confirmed by the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado. The award included $17 million in punitive damages.
• $8.9 million arbitration award defended on petition to vacate — Brezden v. Associated Securities Corp.
• Represented professional athletes including Lauren Holiday, Jrue Holiday, Chandler Parsons, and Courtney Lee in claims involving nearly $10 million in losses.
• Lead class action counsel in federal and California state court securities proceedings.
• More than $250 million total recovered for clients in FINRA arbitration and litigation.

FINRA hearing locations — we go where you are

FINRA operates 69 hearing venues across the United States, including at least one in every state. Hearings are held at the venue closest to the claimant’s residence or business, which means our Los Angeles-based attorneys represent clients at FINRA hearing locations nationwide without requiring clients to travel to California.

Key FINRA hearing offices include Los Angeles (300 South Grand Ave), New York (One Liberty Plaza), Chicago (55 West Monroe St), Houston (1980 Post Oak Blvd), Miami (100 SE 2nd St), and Dallas (12801 N Central Expressway).

Free consultation — no fee unless you recover

Bakhtiari & Harrison offers a free initial consultation for all potential FINRA arbitration matters. Investor cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning we are only paid if we recover money for you. There is no charge to discuss your case. Call (800) 382-7969 or contact us online.

Choosing the right attorney is crucial for investors facing disputes in the securities industry. Our track record in the FINRA forum demonstrates our commitment to protecting investor interests and ensuring fair treatment under the law. With their expert navigation of FINRA’s dispute resolution processes and their proactive approach to legal representation, Bakhtiari & Harrison remain a leading choice for investors seeking justice and accountability in the securities market.

As FINRA attorneys, we represent investors with these and other types of investment fraud and financial advisor misconduct cases. FINRA attorneys at Bakhtiari & Harrison are deeply committed to holding powerful Wall Street entities accountable for their actions. We encourage potential clients and other interested parties to explore further details about our services or contact us to discuss your potential matter.