What Does the IRC Do?
The Investor Rights Clinic is a one-semester clinic staffed by second and third-year law students who represent under-served investors in securities arbitration claims against their brokers before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA is a self-regulatory organization that administers the largest forum for arbitration of securities claims in the United States. Arbitration is the most widely used means of resolving disputes in the securities industry.
What Services Does the Clinic Provide?
The Clinic provides a resource to individuals of modest means who have suffered investment losses as a result of broker misconduct but, due to the size of their claim, cannot find legal representation. The Clinic, which does not charge attorney's fees, is funded by a grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, and the Law School.
Community Outreach
In addition, the Clinic conducts financial literacy and outreach programs designed to educate the public about how to detect and avoid fraudulent investment schemes and broker misconduct, with particular attention to schemes targeting the elderly and retirees. As part of their clinical work, every student intern participates in preparing and presenting at least one educational outreach seminar each semester at various locations throughout South Florida, including community and senior centers, investment clubs, high schools, and the Law School.
Information for Prospective Clients
The Investor Rights Clinic provides a resource if you are an investor who may have claims against your broker for investment losses, but your claims are too small for you to find legal representation. See Resources for Broker Claims
Does My Claim Qualify?
The Clinic has established the following investor and claim eligibility guidelines:
- Claimed losses should not exceed $100,000.
- Clients' annual household income should not exceed $100,000.
- Clients should not have any major assets aside from their home, car, and the investment that led to their claimed losses.
Preference will be given to Florida residents and senior citizens.
