FINRA Arbitration Panel Clears Advisor's Record of Defamatory Allegations

Posted on January 10th, 2025 at 2:14 PM
FINRA Arbitration Panel Clears Advisor's Record of Defamatory Allegations

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

A FINRA arbitration panel has ruled in favor of Mary J. Howard, a former RBC Wealth Management advisor, allowing her to expunge defamatory allegations from her Form U-5 termination record.

According to AdvisorHub, the panel determined that the allegations made by her former employer, Robert W. Baird & Co., were defamatory in nature and authorized revisions to reflect that Howard voluntarily left the firm in April 2023.

Robert W. Baird &  Co. had previously stated on Howard’s U5 that she was “permitted to resign” after failing to follow firm policy. However, the FINRA panel found these allegations defamatory and ruled that Howard’s record should be amended to show a voluntary departure. The allegations arose as Howard and a business partner prepared to leave Baird. According to Howard’s BrokerCheck comment, the firm learned of their plans after her partner sent emails containing client data to a personal account.

AdvisorHub reports that Howard filed a $5 million claim against Baird, alleging defamation, tortious interference with her business, and unjust enrichment. While the arbitration award does not detail the settlement terms, it confirms that Howard and Baird reached a confidential settlement in October 2023 regarding the damages.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law, finra

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Hiring Eccleston Law has been one of the best career decisions I have made and this "investment" to maintain my sterling regulatory record has been returned many times over.  If you are in a situation where you've been unfairly accused, don't hesitate to talk with Eccleston Law. They are the best.

Thomas C.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

November 7, 2025
FINRA Suspends Former Wells Fargo Broker Over Unapproved Real Estate Venture

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) suspended former Wells Fargo broker George J. Cairnes for four months and fined him $25,000 for engaging in unapproved real estate outside business activity, according to a settlement letter issued.

November 6, 2025
Former Ameriprise Broker Ordered to Pay $2.2 Million for Elder Exploitation

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel has ordered Eric A. Dupre to pay nearly $2.2 million in damages to his former firm and two customers following allegations of theft and elder exploitation.

November 5, 2025
Former Wells Fargo Representative Suspended for Unauthorized Texting and Obstruction

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has suspended former Wells Fargo representative Eyan M. Townsend for one year and fined him $10,000 for using personal text messages to conduct business and attempting to obstruct an internal investigation by deleting those communications.