RIAs Increasingly Rely on Non-Competes Borrowed From Broker-Dealers
Registered investment advisory firms (RIAs) have borrowed a legal tactic from the broker-dealer space, as RIAs increasingly take defectors to court with allegations of non-compete clause violations, according to a recent article published by AdvisorHub.
RIA non-compete disputes are different, however. First, the disputes are not adjudicated at Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Dispute Resolution, because neither party is associated with FINRA. Typically, the disputes start in court, and they will remain in court unless there is an arbitration clause, such as an American Arbitration Association (AAA) arbitration clause.
Notwithstanding where they dispute is adjudicated, competent counsel must examine the contractual restrictions carefully, and then must test the enforceability of such restrictions against applicable state law. There is no national jurisprudence, nor any one-size fits all approach. Finally, legal requirements and proofs vary in each state as to whether a plaintiff, in these cases a RIA firm, can obtain a TRO or injunctive relief.
Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters, including disputes nationwide in courts and in arbitration surrounding restrictive agreements.
