FINRA’s Acceptance, Waiver and Consent Settlement (AWC)-Part 1

Posted on December 1st, 2016 at 12:47 PM
FINRA’s Acceptance, Waiver and Consent Settlement (AWC)-Part 1

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law LLC:

This is the first of three posts to discuss FINRA Rule 9216. This post will discuss the “acceptance” portion of the rule related to regulatory (disciplinary) settlement agreements.

As the term implies, the “acceptance” portion of the “AWC” occurs when the financial advisor accepts the sanctions that FINRA has offered either to resolve a concluded investigation by FINRA examination staff or to dismiss a complaint brought by FINRA’s enforcement attorneys. Whether a rep should accept the imposition of sanctions is a decision that should be made only after consulting an experienced securities attorney.

In addition to evaluating the strength of the evidence against the advisor, the attorney also will review FINRA’s “Sanction Guidelines” as well as previous cases on FINRA’s online “Disciplinary Action” database, in order to provide effective legal counsel.  

The attorneys of Eccleston Law LLC represent investors and advisers nationwide in securities and employment matters. The securities lawyers at Eccleston Law also practice a variety of other areas of securities for financial advisors including breakaway broker servicesemployment mattersstrategic consulting and counselingbroker litigation and arbitration,whistleblower actions, and much more. Our attorneys draw on a combined experience of nearly 65 years in delivering the highest quality legal services. If you are in need of legal services, contact us to schedule a one-on-one consultation today.   

Related Attorneys: James J. Eccleston

Tags: Eccleston, Eccleston Law, Eccleston Law LLC, James Eccleston, FINRA, Rule 9216, Waiver and Consent Settlement, AWC, sanction guidelines, disciplinary actions,

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

If you are being bothered by the Regulators, call Eccleston Law, you won't regret it.

Rick R.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

December 19, 2024
GPB Capital Investors See Progress as Court Confirms Receivership

In a significant development for investors in GPB Capital Holdings, the private equity firm will move into receivership following a prolonged legal battle.

December 18, 2024
SEC Fines Cantor Fitzgerald $6.75 Million for Misleading SPAC Investors

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has charged Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. with causing two special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) under its control to make misleading statements to investors before their initial public offerings (IPOs). 

December 17, 2024
Former Western Asset Management Co-CIO Charged with Fraud for Cherry-picking Trades

The SEC recently charged Ken Leech, former Co-CIO of Western Asset Management, with fraud.