Samuel E. Cohen

Significant Representative Matters: Defense award obtained on behalf of our client, a registered investment advisor, in a FINRA arbitration involving alleged mismanagement and lack of transparency concerning a Donor Advised Fund. The arbitration panel denied the claims in their entirety and recommended expungement of the claim from our client's registration records.; Defense award obtained in a binding FINRA arbitration in Columbus, Ohio on behalf of a financial advisor. The Claimant alleged unauthorized trading and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with individual stock trades. The Claimant further alleged breach of fiduciary duty in relation to the financial advisor's recommendation that the account be changed from a commission based to an advisory fee-based account.; Defense verdict obtained on behalf of a broker dealer in a FINRA arbitration alleging over concentration in energy and precious metals investments.; Defense verdict obtained on behalf of broker-dealer in arbitration in a suit brought by two retired broker Claimants who sought $5 million dollars in past and future benefits under a retirement program which paid override fees to retired brokers on books of business the retired brokers had developed decades ago.; Expungement recommendation obtained in FINRA arbitration on behalf of financial advisor involving investment losses in an advisory account.; Defense verdict obtained on behalf of a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer following a four day jury trial in Schuylkill County. The registered investment advisor and broker dealer were sued by their former client for investment losses. The Plaintiff was a paraplegic whose wealth was obtained through a jury verdict and settlements related to his injuries. The case was defended on the basis that the registered investment advisor met the standard of care and did not breach any duties owed to the Plaintiff, as well as the fact that the Plaintiff was net profitable in his investments. The Plaintiff sought to 'cherry pick' losing investments from an overall profitable portfolio.; Defense verdict obtained on behalf of a broker-dealer and a broker in a FINRA arbitration in New York. The Claimant, owner of a broker-dealer, alleged he was being charged an unreasonable mark-up on municipal bond sales and that he was the victim of elder abuse. In granting the motion to dismiss, the arbitration panel found that the Claimant failed to present a basis for his claim and recommended expungement of all references to the arbitration from the broker's records maintained by FINRA on the grounds that the claim, allegation or information was factually impossible or clearly erroneous. As well, the panel found the mark-ups on the municipal bonds sold to Claimant were not unfair or unreasonable and were not inconsistent with industry regulations.; Defense verdict obtained on behalf of broker-dealer in FINRA arbitration where the customer alleged that a violation of her privacy had occurred, as well as asserting claims for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence and breach of contract.; Defense verdict obtained on behalf of a broker-dealer and broker in FINRA arbitration alleging unsuitability and securities fraud in sale of a variable annuity. The defense was presented on the grounds that the variable annuity was suitable to the investment objectives of the customer and that any losses sustained by the customer were market related.; Defense of broker-dealer in 'selling away' case in FINRA arbitration alleging failure to supervise broker who allegedly operated a Ponzi scheme while affiliated with the broker dealer. Defense proceeded on the grounds that the broker-dealer's supervision of the broker was reasonable and that the Plaintiff did not sustain any losses in his investment in the scheme. Defense verdict obtained.; Motion to dismiss, with prejudice, granted in FINRA arbitration based upon Plaintiff customer's repeated discovery violations. Motion to dismiss upheld in federal district court following petition to vacate arbitration award filed by Plaintiff customer. Motion to dismiss granted in FINRA arbitration based upon FINRA Eligibility Rule.; Defense verdict obtained in FINRA arbitration on behalf of broker and broker-dealer where the public customer alleged that she was not properly advised regarding the tax implications resulting from a premature withdrawal from a variable annuity in a IRA account.; Motion to dismiss granted on behalf of title insurance agent in Federal civil RICO case.; Expungement obtained in FINRA arbitration on behalf of broker in case involving suitability of non-publicly traded REITs.; Dismissal on behalf of real estate agent in seller's disclosure case.; Dismissal on behalf of supervising life insurance general agent in wrongful termination case.; Motion for judgment on the pleadings granted on behalf of title insurance agent in real estate fraud case.; Published Works: 'DOL's Retirement Security Rule Imposes New Fiduciary Standards on Financial Services, Insurance Industries,' The Legal Intelligencer, May 10, 2024; 'FINRA Proposal Creates Urgency for Brokers Seeking Expungement of Customer Complaints,' The Legal Intelligencer, May 4, 2023; 'FINRA, the SEC and Congress Aim to Safeguard Senior Investors,' The Legal Intelligencer, May 12, 2022; 'FINRA Proposes Rule to Streamline Broker/Dealers' Oversight of Outside Business Activities', Aon Advisor Solutions, Summer 2018 Newsletter; 'Protecting Seniors: A Priority for FINRA, Federal and State Legislators, and Arbitration Panels,' Defense Digest, Vol. 22, No. 3, September 2016; 'Protecting Seniors: A Priority for FINRA, Federal and State Legislators, and Arbitration Panels,' Financial Services Institute newsletter, July 2016; Legal Updates for Securities, regular contributor, 2015-present; 'Bum Rap? Wrap Fee Programs Under Scrutiny,' Westlaw Journal: Securities Regulation & Litigation, October 2014; Case Law Alerts, regular contributor, 2012-present; 'FINRA Requests Comment On Brokercheck Enhancements,' Defense Digest, Vol. 18, No. 2, June 2012; 'Covenants Not To Compete: Why You May Not Be Able To Work For Your Employer's Competitors,' co-author, AgentsofAmerica.org, January 13, 2009; 'FINRA Moves to Limit Dispositive Motions In Arbitration,' PLUS Journal, Volume XXI, Number 1, January 2008; 'NASD Approves Merger With The New York Stock Exchange,' Defense Digest, Vol. 13, No. 2, June 2007; 'Injured Plaintiff Has No Direct Action Against Tortfeasor's Insurer for Bad Faith,' Pittsburgh Legal Journal; 'Customer Account Statements Must Include Reminder To Customers To Report Inaccuracies In Their Accounts In Writing,' Defense Digest, Vol. 13, No. 2, June 2007; '529 Plans: Tax Free Withdrawals Now Permanent, But Regulatory Concerns Remain,' Defense Digest, Vol. 13, No. 1, March 2007; 'U.S. Supreme Court Continues Its Strong Support Of Arbitration,' Defense Digest, Vol. 12, No. 2, June 2006; 'Agreements To Arbitrate Upheld By Pennsylvania State And Eastern District Court Despite Alleged Confidential Relationship Between Plaintiff Investors And Defendant Stockbrokers,' Defense Digest, Vol. 11, No. 3, September 2005; 'Judge Reversed On Order Compelling Court Action To Arbitration,' Defense Digest, Vol. 10, No. 1, March 2004; 'NASD Reminds Firm Of Their Discovery Obligations,' Defense Digest, Vol. 10, No. 1, March 2004; 'NASD Members Are Warned To Give Investors Their Required Breaks,' PLUS Journal, September 2003, Vol. XVI, No. 9 and Defense Digest, Vol. 9, No. 2, June 2003; 'Injured Plaintiff Has No Direct Action Against Tortfeasor's Insurer For 'Bad Faith',' Pittsburgh Legal Journal, June 9, 1998; 'No Assignment -- No Excess Garnishment,' Defense Digest, Vol. 4, No. 3, June 1998