For their service and contributions to Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA), Lance McCardle, Melanie Cherdack, and Michael Bixby were named recipients of the 2021 PIABA Outstanding Service Award at the 2021 PIABA Annual Meeting.
A member of PIABA since 2010, Lance McCardle is Editor-in-Chief of the PIABA Bar Journal. In addition to serving on the PIABA Bar Journal Board of Editors, Mr. McCardle has served on the Annual Meeting, Mid-Year Meeting & Webinars, By-Laws and SRO Committees. Lance is a member of the ABA Securities Law Committee and serves on the Securities Arbitration Subcommittee. He is a fellow of the Louisiana Bar Foundation and a member of the Louisiana State, Federal, American, and Public Investor Advocate Bar Associations. Mr. McCardle has taught litigation skills classes at Loyola University College of Law and Media Law at Tulane University.
Melanie Cherdack has devoted much of her practice to representing investors who have been victimized by the fraudulent or negligent practices of financial advisors, brokerage firms, and financial institutions. She has served on the SRO and Mid-Year Meeting & Webinars Committee. She currently serves on the PIABA Bar Journal Board of Editors, Securities Law Seminar Committee where she serves as co-Chair of the Committee. Melanie has participated in numerous Introduction to Arbitration (“Newbie”) programs at the Annual Meeting and in Webinars. She has written some of the definitive “how to” works all members, but especially new members, should read. She was most recently published on the Robinhood issues in PBJ, Issue 2 (2021). An editor on PBJ, she frequently volunteers to edit articles. Ms. Cherdack is a strong advocate for student submissions – whether through the Beckley Competition or general submissions.
Michael Bixby focuses his practice on representing customers and investors in securities and investment fraud litigation. He has successfully represented hundreds of investment fraud victims around the country in a variety of forums including arbitrations, and state and federal courts. Mr. Bixby takes pride in fighting to achieve justice for his clients through litigation, mediation, or trials and arbitrations. Mr. Bixby served on the PIABA Bylaws and Arbitration Committees for a number of years. Since becoming co-Chair of the Arbitration Committee, he has driven the work that Committee, advancing issues of interest to the Committee, in general, and recommended by the Board.
Questions regarding this notice may be directed to
Robin S. Ringo, Executive Director
1.888.621.7484
rsringo@piaba.org