NORMAN, OK – OCTOBER 28, 2011 – Lisa Catalano was named the recipient of the 2011 PIABA Outstanding Service Award for her unfailing service and contributions to Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA).
As amicus curiae, PIABA plays an important role in representing the Association’s position in significant legal proceedings that may have a widespread impact upon the rights of investors. While serving as the PIABA Amicus Committee Chair, five amicus curiae briefs were filed under Professor Catalano’s guidance this past year. As well as serving on a number of other PIABA committees, she has been a frequent presenter at PIABA Annual Meetings and Securities Law Seminar.
An Associate Professor for Clinical Education at St. John’s University School of Law and the Director of the Securities Arbitration Clinic which offers free student representation to investors in arbitration claims involving misrepresentation, unsuitability, unauthorized trading, excessive trading (“churning”), and failure to supervise, among other claims, against broker-dealers and registered representatives. The Clinic student interns handle all phases of the client representation under the supervision of Professor Catalano. The student interns also conduct Investor Education Seminars in the community to educate the public about their rights as investors and ways in which to protect themselves against fraudulent practices. Additionally, Professor Catalano and her students have submitted comment letters to the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding proposed rule changes to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s (FINRA) arbitration rules.
Professor Catalano also serves as on the National Arbitration and Mediation Committee (NAMC), the FINRA Investor Advocacy Clinic Grant Program Committee, and is a FINRA arbitrator.
Awarded to a PIABA Member annually, the PIABA Outstanding Service Award honors the very best in the PIABA Membership," said Robin Ringo, Executive Director of PIABA. "Professor Catalano’s achievement is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and dedication necessary to all PIABA members in their representation of public investors."