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You are a lawyer representing FINRA member Freedom Investments in a case brought by a former client, Bruce Lee. When Lee opened his account with
You are a lawyer representing FINRA member Freedom Investments in a case brought by a former client, Bruce Lee.
- When Lee opened his account with Freedom, he signed an arbitration agreement in which he agreed to resolve all claims against Freedom Investments by filing a case in a court of competent jurisdiction.
- The agreement also included prohibitions against Lee's (a) filing a class action and (b) requesting punitive damages.
- The client has filed a FINRA arbitration claim against the Firm and the registered representative who handled the accounts at Freedom, Betty Ting, alleging damages of $150,000 based on claims of unsuitability, churning, breach of fiduciary duty and failure to supervise.
The case has progressed, and the parties are now seeking document discovery.
- Lee has failed to respond to Freedom's requests for documents and has not filed any objections.
- Freedom Investments has asked the arbitrators to sign a subpoena directed to the broker-dealer where Lee had his accounts prior to his opening an account at Freedom Investments.
- The subpoena is for records relating to Lee's account at that broker-dealer.
- Freedom Investments has also asked for a subpoena directed to Lee's accountant for records.
- The panel has signed the subpoena to the accountant, but the accountant is refusing to comply.
Based on the fact pattern set forth in parts 1 and 2, please answer the following questions.
- The Claimant can seek information through interrogatories.
- Please state whether you agree disagree and explain your answer.
- Is Freedom Investments in compliance with FINRA rules by seeking records from another broker-dealer by subpoena? State your answer (yes or no) and then provide an explanation.
- Does Freedom have any recourse against the Lee for not producing documents? Which FINRA rule applies and what are the possible outcomes?
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