In addition to live client representation, students in the Investor Rights Clinic conduct a mock arbitration every semester before a panel of arbitrators who decide investor cases filed in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority arbitration. This semester, the mock arbitration took place in the Miami Law clinics’ new student workroom equipped with videoconferencing technology.
“We are thrilled to have the updated clinical space for our students to use for experiential learning opportunities like this,” said Scott Eichhorn, associate professor of clinical law and director of the Investor Rights Clinic. “The students took full advantage and put on a case that impressed the experienced FINRA arbitrators.”
Students were able to present evidence and testimony and deliver arguments to the arbitrators via videoconference. After the mock arbitration, the arbitration panel praised the preparation and advocacy of the students and remarked that they were pleased to spend their day administering the arbitration—as well as learning from the students.
In the end, the students received a compromise award from the arbitrators: The claimant’s team received a monetary award in an amount significantly less than the damages requested.
“The mock arbitration was an amazing opportunity to get live constructive feedback from FINRA arbitrators,” said 2L Nicole Perez. “After the arbitration, the clinic was even allowed to see the FINRA arbitrators deliberate the case. I highly recommend the experience to all students no matter what area of law they are interested in.”
Aside from the mock arbitration, IRC students also participated in the Securities and Exchange Commission Investor Advocacy Clinic Summit in the spring, with opening remarks by SEC Chair Gary Gensler. Each of the other four SEC Commissioners also appeared and interacted with the students.
2L Isabelle Klayman presented via videoconference in the public portion of the summit regarding the services that investor advocacy clinics, like the IRC provide to harmed investors.
2L Grace Slicklen and 2L Sabrina Serber presented on developing trends in artificial intelligence in the investment markets.
“The SEC Investor Advocacy Clinic Summit was the highlight of my two semesters at the Investor Rights Clinic,” said Slicklen. “It was rewarding to collaborate with fellow clinic members under the guidance of Professor Eichhorn and Professor Cherdack and then present an interesting topic to the SEC. It was also such a unique opportunity to hear from SEC Chair Gary Gensler and the commissioners.”
Additionally, 2L Trent Hunter and 2L Marina Rubio conducted a community outreach presentation to Miami Law Women about financial literacy and investing basics.
“It was a pleasure presenting with Marina,” Hunter said. “Having such positive engagement throughout the presentation made it a valuable experience for all attendees.”
“Being able to present essential financial literacy topics to our fellow peers and future professionals was so rewarding,” said Rubio. “Getting such positive feedback from attendees made me very proud to have organized this important presentation with Trent.”
Read more about Miami Law’s clinics.
