Investor Advocacy Clinic Program

The Investor Advocacy Clinic Program was launched by the FINRA Investor Education Foundation in 2009 to provide start-up funding and assistance to law schools that establish investor advocacy clinics in high-need areas.

 

In the event that individual investors have a dispute with a securities professional, they often fare better if they are represented by an attorney with experience in securities arbitration. Arbitration is the most widely used means of resolving disputes in the securities industry. In most cases, attorneys represent all the parties on both sides of a dispute. However, investors with relatively modest claims often cannot find an attorney to represent them on a contingency basis and they often cannot afford the hourly rate for representation.

 

This program aims to fill the gap in legal representation for small investors. These clinics will enable supervised law students to provide legal assistance and other advice to investors at little or no cost.

 

Grant applicants must demonstrate a robust commitment to clinical education and to investor education through creative and proactive community outreach.

 

In addition to start-up funding, the FINRA Foundation provides resources and technical assistance to grantees throughout the grant term. The first four grants under this program were announced in January 2010.

 

Application is by invitation only.

 

For additional information about the Investor Advocacy Clinic Grant Program, please contact Ivette Lopez of the FINRA Foundation, (202) 728-8928.