FINRA Arbitration

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Heather B. Middleton is Counsel in the Securities Litigation, Arbitration, Regulation and Investigations Practice of Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP. With extensive experience representing broker-dealers and financial advisers in FINRA arbitrations as well as in state and federal court matters, Heather focuses her practice on defending financial services firms and their employees in securities litigation, regulatory investigations, and in enforcement proceedings. She has successfully defended investor and employment claims relating to a broad range of issues, and has handled regulatory matters involving complex issues including order handling, mini flash crash, research practices, electronic blue sheet reporting, insider trading, and more. Additionally, Heather serves her clients in an advisory role in assisting with drafting compliance policies and procedures and in helping firms comply with regulatory requirements. She also performs due diligence on behalf of Authorized Participants and lead market-makers providing seed capital for the launch of new exchange traded funds. Before practicing law, Heather was an analyst on a High Net Worth Team in the Private Banking and Investment Group of Merrill Lynch, where she dealt with securities laws, branch operations, portfolio management, trading, securities regulations and client expectations.

Rebecca Beers is a partner in the Birmingham office of RumbergerKirk and focuses on securities and commercial litigation. She represents broker-dealers and registered investment advisors in state and federal courts and in FINRA arbitration, litigating claims related to suitability, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, failure to supervise, clearing broker liability, raiding, employment contracts, and U5 defamation. She also has substantial experience in class actions, insurance law, and employment matters. In addition, Rebecca has developed a wide-ranging knowledge of arbitration law, particularly in post-award litigation in courts and in the enforcement of arbitration agreements.