Stock Options Finance Expert Witnesses, Page 1

Education:

Princeton, 1964 (B.A., Economics, with honors)
NYU Business School, 1966 (MBA, Top of class)

Expertise: Mr. Purcell has over 50 years of experience in every area of investment banking including the following:

Mergers & Acquisitions
Leveraged Buyouts and Recapitalizations
Fairness Opinions and Fairness Issues
Adequacy Opinions
Solvency Opinions
Bankruptcy issues, including fraudulent conveyance
Valuations
Advice to Special Committees of Boards
Due Diligence and Disclosure Issues
Fiduciary Issues
Damage issues and analysis
Lender Liability
Fee issues
Document Interpretation and Standards from investment banking point of views
Criminal cases involving alleged securities violations and insider trading
Financing of Debt and Equity (both public and private, taxable and tax-exempt, including structured financings)
Venture Capital
Leasing and Real Estate Financing

Background: Mr. Purcell was a Managing Director at Dillon Read for almost 25 years and has been a Senior Advisor to a number of medium-sized investment banks. He also has served as interim CEO of a public company and has served on Boards of Directors. Mr. Purcell is currently Senior Director to the Investment Banking Firm of Seale & Associates, Washington, DC. area. Mr. Purcell has been an expert in more than 200 cases with over 180 Law Firms, including cases for the SEC, IRS and the DOJ. Has testified in court trials and arbitration trials over 40 times. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants. Subjects include all areas mentioned above.

View Consulting Profile.

• View Mr. Purcell's Curriculum Vitae

• Expert Testimony

• Courts Accepting as Expert

• Law Firm Retentions

MCS Associates is a nationally recognized consulting group that has provided financial, operations and regulatory/compliance consulting services nationwide to financial institutions, insurance companies and regulatory agencies as well as real estate and financial services organizations for over 40 years. Expert Witness and Litigation Consulting are a primary focus of our services. We undertake expert witness assignments throughout the United States and our clients include several hundred leading law firms around the country, working on behalf of both plaintiff and defendant financial institutions, borrowers, depositors, investors, developers, insurance companies and their insured, securities/insurance/real estate brokers/agents, regulators and government agencies, and individuals.

Together with MCS Associates’ specialized resources in banking, financial services and real estate, we also draw on key strategic alliances in insurance, economics, academia and the securities industry to meet a wide range of expert witness needs. Our litigation experts include experienced bankers, lenders, consultants, regulators, managers, brokers & agents in insurance, real estate, and securities; insurance claims and underwriting managers; economists, accountants, appraisers, real estate analysts, and academics.

Areas of Expertise Include:

Banking Operations/Administration
Check Fraud
Lending Policies, Custom and Practice
Loan Underwriting & Credit Administration
Loan Securitizations & Servicing
Bankruptcy, Foreclosures and Workouts
Trust & Fiduciary Issues / Operations
Securities Brokerage & Investments
Valuations & Damages Analysis
Forensic Accounting
Employment / Compensation
Real Estate Brokerage & Management
Title Insurance & Escrow
Real Estate Appraisal & Transactions
Insurance Industry Custom & Practice
Insurance Coverages / Claims Handling
Insurance Bad Faith

• View Litigation Consulting & Expert Witness Partial Client List

• View Banking, Real Estate, Insurance, & Financial Services Partial Client List

Bob Lawson, CSCP, AIF®, CFE®, MRFC®, LUTCF®, is a Securities & FINRA Expert Witness retained for FINRA arbitration, mediation, and federal/civil court litigation. Mr. Lawson possesses over 35 years of experience within the securities and insurance industries. In 1988, Mr. Lawson founded Barrington Capital Management, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisory firm and Insurance Agency, and currently serves as the Managing Principal of Barrington Financial Consulting Group, Inc, a 12-person Securities Litigation and Consulting firm.

In addition, Mr. Lawson serves as a FINRA Mediator and presides as a FINRA & NFA Arbitrator, Chairman -Qualified for disputes concerning investors, financial services professionals, broker-dealers, and dually-registered investment advisers. Claims often arise regarding breach of fiduciary duties, securities fraud, employment disputes, conflicts of interest, churning, unsuitable investments, and failure to supervise, among others. Mr. Lawson also serves as a public mediator and is a Qualified Neutral under Minnesota Rule 114 of Standard Practice in Mediation and Arbitration. His breadth of experience includes managing and supervising FINRA broker-dealer branch offices as a Registered Securities Principal, Options Principal, and Chief Compliance Officer.

Mr. Lawson also has considerable experience with insurance products including variable annuities, fixed and indexed annuities, long term care, and life insurance. Mr. Lawson possesses numerous accolades and is a Certified Securities Compliance Professional (CSCP), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE®), Master Registered Financial Consultant (MRFC), and a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF®).

Retaining Mr. Lawson as an Expert Witness and Litigation Consultant will clarify and address relevant issues pertaining to your case from an insider's point of view. Upon a thorough examination and analysis of the case material, Mr. Lawson’s conclusions and opinions are impartial, objective, and predicated upon years of industry expertise and experience. Expert testimony and reports are supported by thorough and detailed research through case-specific analysis.

Bob is active in the following organizations: Chairman - Master Registered Financial Consultants | Mentorship and Practice Management Chair - Securities Experts Roundtable | Twin Cities Certified Fraud Examiners Association, Membership Chair - Minnesota State Bar Association ADR Section and Charter Financial Analysist (CFA) Society.

Areas of Expertise:

FINRA Expert Witness
Securities Expert Witness
FINRA Arbitration
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Liability Expert
Promissory Notes
Securities Fraud Investigations
Ponzi Schemes
Options, Stocks & Bonds
Due Diligence
Professional Malpractice
Economic Damages & Losses
Employment Discrimination & Termination

Services:

Litigation Consulting
Unbiased Case Analysis
Discovery Review & Recommendations
Portfolio Risk Reports
Securities Fraud Investigation
Damage Calculations
Expert Testimony

View Bob Lawson's Consulting Profile.

• Bob Lawson's Curriculum Vitae

• Litigation Support

• FINRA & NFA Arbitration Process

• Alternative Dispute Resolution

• Keynote Speaker

• Articles of Interest

• Video - Barrington Capital Management Story

• Video - Barrington Capital Management Difference

• FINRA & NASD Rules Resource Guide

7/11/2017 · Securities

Expert's Corner: Selling Away - Broker-Dealer Liability for Selling Away Transactions and the Responsibility of Supervisory Personnel

By: Bob Lawson

In the securities brokerage industry, "selling-away" refers to the prohibited practice of an Associated Person effecting or soliciting the sale of securities or investment products not held or approved with whom the broker is affiliated without prior written consent. FINRA regulators have seen a steady flow of selling-away cases over the years involving registered representatives who are being targeted by issuers, promoters and marketing agents to sell their nontraditional investment products to their retail customers. In many instances, promoters of these products are marketing them as non-securities products that do not have to be sold through a broker-dealer by a registered person. In a significant number of cases, associated persons have sold these investments to their customers away from the broker-dealer and without firm approval as required by FINRA Rule 3270. Selling-away often occurs in an independent branch or a satellite office, where Associated Persons are removed from the day-to-day oversight and supervision of their brokerage firm's compliance department.

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9/23/2015 · Finance

FINRA Dispute Resolution Essentials

By: Bob Lawson

I receive phone calls throughout the year from attorneys who have taken on their first FINRA case and they frequently are unaware how the FINRA Dispute Resolution process differs from other venues. I thought it would be helpful to provide a quick overview for new participants and a refresher for those more experienced securities attorneys on how the FINRA Arbitration and Mediation process works.

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8/26/2015 · Finance

FINRA Code of Arbitration and Discovery Guidelines

By: Bob Lawson

In FINRA-related cases many attorneys see discovery requests objected to by opposing counsel. Typically, opposing counsel objects to discovery requests citing that items requested are either "overly broad, vague, or ambiguous", or "impermissible per FINRA's Code of Arbitration Procedure". However, despite opposing counsel's reasoning, many objections to discovery requests are irrelevant and do not hold up in regard to FINRA's Code of Arbitration Procedure. Attorneys should not be intimidated or discouraged by these objections, but rather should understand that FINRA's guidelines concerning arbitration allow for most applicable and reasonably obtainable discovery information to be delivered.

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3/15/2019

Securities Expert Witness Bob Lawson is the Newest Board Member at MFRC

"Experts.com Member and Securities Expert Witness Bob Lawson Takes on Additional Board Role at the MFRC"

John T. Foster is the President and CEO of Bedford and Main Financial Consulting, which provides specialized consulting services primarily for broker-dealers and RIAs. Bedford and Main is listed in the FINRA Compliance Vendor Directory.

Mr. Foster calls upon his in-depth knowledge of broker-dealer management, operations and compliance to offer expert opinions and testimony. He has testified for both sides of the legal table in civil cases and FINRA arbitrations, promoting high standards of fairness for broker-dealers.

Mr. Foster specializes in clearing services and industry infrastructure litigation, along with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) issues for broker-dealers. Prior to founding Bedford and Main in 2011, he worked for 13 years in level positions for a large, multi-national clearing firm, allowing him to develop expertise with foreign accounts and anti-money laundering issues. He later served as the President/CEO of an independent broker-dealer, where he was responsible for a retail-based business and online brokerage services. The experience provided John with a uniquely relevant understanding of core SEC and FINRA compliance issues, such as suitability, supervision, senior issues, churning, and written supervisory procedures. He is proficient in matters related to client and firm interactions with both Financial Advisors and Online firms.

Advantages of our litigation services:

Senior Level Experience - Decades of diverse high-ranking management experience in the broker-dealer industry.
Previously held Series, 3,7,24, 27, 63.
Still Actively Engaged – John's expert witness business is a natural extension of his core consulting services. He is a CAMS Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist who annually conducts many independent AML reviews. John is also certified as a FINRA Dispute Resolution Arbitrator

- It would not be possible to hold to our standards of supporting the industry if we were not selective as to specific issues and our ability to ethically provide an expert opinion.

Areas of Expertise:

Clearing Firms / Broker-Dealer Operations
Suitability
Supervision
Churning
Senior Issues
Online Web Brokers
Complex Corporate Actions
SEC Direct Market Access (15c3-5)

FINRA Compliance
Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (FINRA 3310)
Written Supervisory Procedures (WSPs)
Foreign Accounts
Private Security Transactions
Outside Business Activities
Master Accounts and Sub-accounts (FINRA 10-18)
Financial Advisor Supervision

View John T. Foster's Consulting Profile.

• John Foster's Expert Witness Curriculum Vitae

• Biography

• Areas of Expertise

• Bedford and Main Podcast

10/20/2021 · Securities

Examining The Diminishing Broker–Dealer Landscape

By: John T. Foster

As a consulting firm that focuses on broker-dealers (B-Ds), we often have discussions with clients, particularly new start-up firms, who are looking to understand the big picture of what makes up the industry. This paper will attempt to expand on some of the particular points noted by FINRA and to provide more color on industry trends related to the makeup, business models, and structure of the current broker-dealer environment.

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Carlo Scevola & Partners is an International Fiduciary Company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with branches in six continents. We specialize in International Planning, Strategic Consulting and Wealth Management. Our clients trust us for everything from setting up an Offshore Company to Mergers and Acquisitions to Business Finance and Asset Protection.

CS&P’s customer-centric methodology ensures that each client gets a custom-tailored solution which addresses that business’ individual objectives and requirements. Our team has expertise in every functional category and every important geography. From finance to operations to human resources to marketing – from the Americas to Europe to Africa, Asia and Oceania – CS&P can bring together experienced executives who know how to advise you and will make your enterprise a success. All this while always protecting your privacy.

Services Offered: Business and Strategic Consulting

S.W.O.T. Analysis
Pre-investment Feasibility Studies / Competitive Background Assessments
Business Plan Research, Writing and Production
Strategy Definition / Implementation
Reworking of Operating Processes for International Suitability
Industrial Partnership Scouting / Matching
Tailor Business Model to Market Environment, Jurisdiction and Local Authorities Requirements

Corporate Finance:

Mergers, Acquisitions and CessionsCommercial Due Diligence or Investment / Financial Appraisals
Company Reorganization and Restructuring
Financial Feasibility Plans for Industrial Expansion
Scouting / Recruiting Highly Qualified Financial Management
Exit Strategies in the event of Buy-outs, Buy-ins, Spin-offs or MBOs, MBIs and LBOs
Listing on Stock Exchanges

Offshore Consulting:

International Tax Planning
Corporate Structuring, Maintenance and Trusts
International Contracts Law
Jurisdictions
Residency and Citizenship
International Banking
Logistic Support
Government Licenses
Aircrafts and Vessels
Intellectual Property

CS&P Operates In More Than 80 Countries Around The World.

• View Carlo Scevola's Biography

• View CS&P Team Biographies

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• CS&P Operates in over 80 Countries - View jurisdictions

• CS&P International Office Locations

Offshore Jurisdictions Guide

Carlo Scevola and Karina Sneiderova

Intended as a unique source of inspiration for effective business organization and tax planning, as well as a quick and easy reference book, the Offshore Jurisdictions Guide is a comprehensive and objective guide to offshore jurisdictions offering personal taxation and business opportunities. Providing a solid overview of 100 jurisdictions around the world, this is an essential handbook for financial experts, legal advisors, consultants, and the general public.

Daniel Reser is a trusted Fiduciary and Registered Investment Advisor. Prior to his role at Fiduciary Services, Inc., he served as Vice President and Manager for Wilmington Trust based in Santa Monica, CA, also of Bank of America, and Security Pacific Bank. Mr. Reser also has a JD from Southern Methodist University. In 1989, he graduated from the UCLA John Anderson Graduate School of Management Executive Program.

Mr. Reser is considered a highly effective and capable trust fiduciary due to his legal training, his extensive experience as a fiduciary for corporate reorganizations and retirement plans as well as his reputation for ethical business practices and pragmatic management style. He has been a corporate fiduciary for corporate securities and reorganization transactions as well as trustee and custodian of retirement plans for over 25 years. During his career, Mr. Reser has administered and managed a wide variety of Governmental, Corporate and Union Retirement Plans as plan trustee. His current role as principal of an investment advisory firm includes acting as Fiduciary for Company Stock in Retirement Plans including ESOPs.

Areas of Expertise:

Leveraged and Unleveraged ESOP Transactions
Acquisitions and Sales of Employer Stock by Company Retirement plans
Company Stock in Other Qualified Plans
ERISA Sec. 404 (c) protection for Employer Stock
Pass-through Voting and Tender Offer Decision Making
Management and Divestiture of Shares
Satisfying Independent Fiduciary Requirement for Meeting Prohibited Transaction Exemption in Connection with Settlement of Litigation Per P.T. Exemption 2003-39 of 12-31-03
Orphan Plans
Rabbi trusts

View Consulting Profile.

• View Mr. Reser's Full Biography

• View Mr. Reser's Presentation Regarding The Role of an ESOP Trustee or Fiduciary

• Press Release