Brent Adam Burns

The focus of our practice is the representation of individual and institutional investors in arbitrations and litigations involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, mismanagement, stock fraud, suitability, unauthorized trading, negligence and churning.

I also regularly represent those who work in the financial services regarding recruiting practices including issues relating to the Protocol for Broker Recruiting; non-solicit, non-compete and other restrictive covenants; customer privacy and other regulatory issues; best-practices for preserving a book of business through a transition; Form U5 negotiations; responding to FINRA inquiries; promissory notes; bonus disputes; team disputes; temporary restraining orders (TROs); expedited FINRA arbitrations; license transfers and related issues.

I represent brokers, traders, senior managers and officers regarding employment disputes such as discrimination, unpaid bonuses, retirement programs, severance packages, and forfeiture-for competition clauses for unvested stock.

I look forward to discussing your case with you.

New York Law School

J.D. (1993)

New York University

B.A. (1990) | Economics/ Political Science

New FINRA Simplified Arbitration

New York State Bar Association - Securities Litigation & Arbitration

September 17, 2018

Delay in the Implementation of the DOL Rule will Harm Investors

New York State Bar Association - Securities Litigation & Arbitration

March 30, 2017

Protocol for Broker Recruiting, Current Issues in Securities Dispute Resolution, Los Angeles, California

May 5, 2018

Public Investor Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA)

The fight between firms and departing brokers to retain a book of business is always a battle, and prior to the Broker Protocol, the firms almost always won, often to the detriment of the investor customer, who got caught in the middle of what amounts to a messy divorce. Recent developments, including the withdrawal by Morgan Stanley, UBS and Citibank from the Protocol, suggest that many of those battles between firms and financial adviser will get even messier.

Fundamentals of FINRA Arbitration, Fundamentals of Broker-Dealer Regulation, New York City

July 23, 2018

Practicing Law Institute

Brent was invited to speak at the Practicing Law Institute (PLI): "Fundamentals of Broker-Dealer Regulation," appearing on a panel with the FINRA Director of Dispute Resolution to discuss FINRA Arbitration.

Protocol for Broker Recruiting - New Developments and Ramifications, Current Issues in Securities Dispute Resolution: 2018, Marriott Los Angeles Airport

April 26, 2018

PIABA

The fight between firms and departing brokers to retain a book of business is always a battle, and prior to the Broker Protocol, the firms almost always won, often to the detriment of the investor customer, who got caught in the middle of what amounts to a messy divorce. Recent developments, including the withdrawal by Morgan Stanley, UBS and Citibank from the Protocol, suggest that many of those battles between firm and financial adviser will get even messier. The Broker Protocol was started in 2004 with four major broker?dealer firms, and is now endorsed by nearly 1,700 firms including many RIAs. This experienced panel discussed the founding of the Protocol, the privacy concerns raised, how it's implementation impacted the industry, and how the recent withdrawals will affect advisers and clients for years to come.

Appearance on CNBC's Closing Bell, Will firms' withdrawal from the Protocol for Broker Recruiting keep advisers from leaving?, https://www.cnbc.com/video/2017/11/28/will-firms-withdrawal-from-pact-keep-advisers-from-leaving.html

November 28, 2017

CNBC's Closing Bell

Brent A. Burns discuss UBS's exit from a recruiting pact and what will keep other advisers from leaving.

Guest Arbitrator, St. John's Law School - Moot Court Competition, FINRA's Manhatten Office, 1 Liberty Plaza, New York, NY

November 18, 2016

St. John's Law School

Served as a guest arbitrator for St. John's Law School Securities Arbitration Clinic

Public Investor Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA)

Fiduciary Standards Committee Member

2015 - Current

Public Investor Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA)

Member

2012 - Current

Securities Litigation & Arbitration Committee of the New York State Bar Association

Member

1998 - Current

State Bar of Illinois  # 6239064

Member

1995 - Current

New York State Bar  # 2618361

Member

1994 - Current

Illinois

Since 1995

New Jersey

Since 1993

New York

Since 1994

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