Securities Arbitration Lawyers BlogWhat is PIABA (Public Investors Advocate Bar Association)?
PIABA is the Public Investors Advocate Bar Association, a bar association of some of the best securities litigation lawyers in the country who represent investors in claims for investment fraud, stockbroker misconduct, and Ponzi schemes.
Scott Silver, Silver Law Group’s managing partner, is a proud member of PIABA since 2002. Scott routinely presents on various issues of stockbroker misconduct at the annual meeting and delivered a presentation on variable annuity fraud at the 28th PIABA annual meeting in Austin, Texas. Silver Law Group also published a securities arbitration primer in Trial magazine.
PIABA Name Change Reflects Changing Securities Landscape
Traditionally, many cases of investment fraud were against stockbrokers working at major Wall Street brokerage firms and involved FINRA arbitration. Over the years, Scott has represented investors in claims against stockbrokers for churning, unsuitable recommendations, theft, failure to supervise, Ponzi schemes, and many other claims.
There has been a shift in the financial services industry leading to claims against registered investment advisors, hedge funds, and others which are governed by different sets of rules. PIABA recognizes this shift and that many cases are now filed in court or away from FINRA. Accordingly, going forward, PIABA will be known as the Public Investors Advocate Bar Association instead of the Public Investors Arbitrators Bar Association.
Changing “Arbitration” to “Advocate” allows PIABA to keep its name, which is already well-known in the securities industry as well as by congressional leaders. The name change reflects that many PIABA members currently do a lot more than FINRA arbitration and the organization advocates on many issues related to investor protection.
Ultimately, this name change will allow PIABA to grow its base of members and sphere of influence going forward. PIABA anticipates making an official announcement to the public once all of the legal paperwork has been finalized.
PIABA Mission Statement
PIABA works to promote fairness in the rules governing dispute resolution for investor claims against securities and commodities brokerage firms, registered investment advisory firms, and their associated representatives. PIABA is a passionate organization of leading attorneys who fight for investors and lobby to protect investors against Wall Street malfeasance.
PIABA works toward creating, improving, and enforcing statutes, rules, regulations, case law, and policies designed to promote investor rights and to prevent misconduct by those who sell investments to the public.
PIABA works toward this mission in a variety of ways. It publishes a bar journal of legal articles written primarily by lawyers and expert witnesses related to legal issues facing public investors. These journals are published (currently) three times per year and are widely distributed, including to state and federal regulators.
Silver Law Group Helps Investors Recover Investment Losses
Silver Law Group represents the investors who have been the victims of investment fraud. Our attorneys represent investors in federal court, mediation, FINRA arbitration, and before all of the major arbitration forums. Scott Silver is the chairman of the Securities and Financial Fraud Group of the American Association of Justice and a regular speaker on stockbroker misconduct. The firm represents investors nationwide and internationally. Contact Scott Silver of the Silver Law Group for a consultation at ssilver@silverlaw.com or toll free at (800) 975-4345.