Professor Nicole Iannarone was appointed Chair of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) National Arbitration and Mediation Committee (NAMC) beginning June 1, 2021. FINRA is authorized by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to oversee the broker-dealer industry and maintains the largest arbitration and mediation forum for the resolution of securities disputes in the United States. NAMC is a FINRA advisory committee that makes recommendations regarding FINRA’s dispute resolution forum, arbitrators, mediators, and rules and procedures.

“NAMC plays an important role in investor protection, and I am honored to have been appointed Chair. I look forward to working with a committed and talented group of public and industry committee members and FINRA staff on NAMC. It is especially exciting to have the opportunity to lead NAMC as it considers real-world policy recommendations so related to my field of academic research,” said Iannarone about her appointment.

Iannarone’s scholarship focuses on consumer investors’ experiences with financial intermediaries. Recent work includes empirical study of consumer results in the FINRA Dispute Resolution forum, including an article forthcoming in the Washington Law Review evaluating whether FINRA’s efforts to diversify its arbitrator pool have resulted in retail investors obtaining the benefit of more diverse and representative neutrals presiding over smaller claims.

“I’m thrilled to see Nicole step into this leadership role with the National Arbitration and Mediation Committee,” said Dean Dan Filler. “Nicole’s unique ability to deeply understand the interpersonal component of the arbitration process coupled with her highly skilled legal and quantitative expertise make her the perfect person to lead the Committee and make positive changes to the process.”