Skip to main content

Adjudications & Decisions

When FINRA determines that violations of securities rules have occurred and formal disciplinary action is necessary, the Enforcement Department files a complaint with the Office of Hearing Officers (OHO).

The Office arranges a three-person panel to hear the case. The panel is chaired by a hearing officer who is an employee of the Office of Hearing Officers. The Chief Hearing Officer appoints two industry panelists, drawn primarily from a pool of current and former securities industry members of FINRA's District Committees, as well as its Market Regulation Committee, former members of FINRA's National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) and former FINRA Governors.

At the hearing, the parties present evidence for the panel to determine whether a firm or individual has engaged in conduct that violates FINRA rules, SEC regulations or federal securities laws. In reaching its decision, the hearing panel also considers previous court, SEC, and NAC decisions to determine if violations occurred. The NAC is the national committee which reviews initial decisions rendered in FINRA disciplinary and membership proceedings.

For each case, the hearing panel will issue a written decision explaining the reasons for its ruling and consult the FINRA Sanction Guidelines to determine the appropriate sanctions if violations have occurred. FINRA also, when feasible and appropriate, can order firms and individuals to make restitution to harmed customers.


Appeals Process

Under FINRA's disciplinary procedures, a firm or individual has the right to appeal a hearing panel decision to the NAC, or the NAC may on its own initiate a review of a decision. On appeal, the NAC will determine if a hearing panel's findings were legally correct, factually supported and consistent with FINRA's Sanction Guidelines. While a panel decision is on appeal, the sanction is not enforced against the firm or individual.

Unless FINRA's Board of Governors decides to review the NAC's appellate decision, that decision represents FINRA's final action. A firm or individual can appeal FINRA's decision to the SEC and then to federal court.


View All Adjudications & Decisions

Choose Year
Date of Decision Proceeding No. Title Type
March 30, 2005 CAF040002 Order Denying in Part The Department's Motion for Leave to Offer Testimony by Telephone and Denying the Respondents' Motion Pursuant to Rule 9252 Disciplinary Order
March 29, 2005 C01040017 Order Granting in Part the Department's Motion to Preclude the Respondent from Introducing Evidence at the Hearing Disciplinary Order
March 29, 2005 C02040044 Order Denying Motion for List of Documents Withheld Disciplinary Order
March 22, 2005 C9B040069 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. Howard Brett Berger

Related Documents

Disciplinary Decision
March 20, 2005 CAF030058 Order Denying Respondent's Motion to Deem Admitted Statement of Undisputed Facts Supporting Motion for Summary Disposition Disciplinary Order
March 17, 2005 CMS040202 Order Denying Motion for Order to Cease and Desist

Related Documents

Disciplinary Order
March 14, 2005 CAF040079 Order Denying Respondent's Motion to Quash and Motion for a Protective Order Disciplinary Order
March 14, 2005 C9B040036 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. Respondent 1 and Michael Blaise Doherty Disciplinary Decision
March 13, 2005 C9B040074 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. James C. Ackerman Disciplinary Decision
March 13, 2005 C9B040074 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. Respondent Firm and James C. Ackerman Disciplinary Decision
March 13, 2005 C10030095 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. John Audifferen

Related Documents

Disciplinary Decision
March 02, 2005 CAF040056 Order Denying Enforcement's Motion to Modify Permanent Cease and Desist Order Disciplinary Order
March 02, 2005 ARB040037 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. Respondent Expedited Decision, Rule 9550 Expedited Decisions
March 01, 2005 ARB050002 Order Granting Enforcement's Rule 9559(M) Motion and Dismissing Proceeding Expedited Order
February 28, 2005 C9B040059 Order Denying Motion to Disqualify Hearing Officer Witherspoon

Related Documents

Disciplinary Order
February 24, 2005 C3A030017 Fox & Company Investments, Inc. and James W. Moldermaker Disciplinary Decision
February 24, 2005 C3A040023 Order Regarding Respondents' Pre-Hearing Submissions

Related Documents

Disciplinary Order
February 18, 2005 FPI040007 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement v. Elliot M. Hershberg Expedited Decision, Rule 9540 Suspension Decisions
February 17, 2005 C8A030086 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. Lance Dahmer Disciplinary Decision
February 14, 2005 CMS030006 Castle Securities Corp. Disciplinary Decision
February 10, 2005 C07030055 PAZ Securities, Inc. and Joseph Mizrachi Disciplinary Decision
January 25, 2005 C07040074 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. L.H. Ross & Company, Inc. and Franklyn Ross Michelin Disciplinary Decision
January 24, 2005 C9B040033 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. Robert M. Ryerson

Related Documents

Disciplinary Decision
January 21, 2005 CMS040069 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. Nicholas R. Sciascia

Related Documents

Disciplinary Decision
January 14, 2005 CAF040056 Hearing Panel Decision in Department of Enforcement vs. L.H. Ross & Company, Inc. Disciplinary Decision