NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 28, 2011 – Rosemary Shockman was named the recipient of the 2011 PIABA Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding service and contributions to addressing issues of interest to the public investor.
Ms. Shockman received her B.A. from the University of Minnesota and J.D., magna cum laude, from California Western University. She practices with the firm of Shockman Law Office, P.C. in Scottsdale, Arizona. The firm’s practice is devoted primarily to the representation of public investors in actions with broker/dealers and others, and has represented hundreds of investors in claims against broker/dealers or stockbrokers.
Ms. Shockman served on the PIABA Board of Directors for 16 years. During her tenure, she was elected to serve as President of the Association in 1996-1997 and 2004-2005. While serving as President in 2004, Ms. Shockman testified on behalf of PIABA before the U.S. Congress where she addressed issues of significant interest to the public investor, including elimination of the Industry Arbitration, the overly broad definitions of the public arbitrator, discovery abuses, and unpaid arbitration awards.
As a PIABA Member, she served as Chairwoman of the Arbitrator Recruiting Committee. This committee was charged with identifying not only the issues associated with, but how FINRA Arbitrators might better recruit and train arbitrators.
Currently, Ms. Shockman currently serves as a public member of the Securities Industry Conference on Arbitration (SICA). SICA was established in 1977 with the support of the SEC to create a Uniform Arbitration Code to harmonize the rules of the various SRO arbitration forums then in existence. She served two terms as a public member of the FINRA National Arbitration and Mediation Committee, a national committee charged with providing recommendations to FINRA staff regarding recruitment, qualification, training, and evaluation of arbitrators and mediators, as well as, recommendations on rules, regulations, and procedures that govern the conduct of arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution matters before FINRA.
The PIABA Distinguished Service Award is awarded in recognition of outstanding, long-term, sustained service to individuals promoting the interests of public investors in securities arbitration. "Ms. Shockman’s contributions and achievements on behalf of public investors are unparalleled, and we are honored to present this award to her," said Robin Ringo, Executive Director of PIABA.