About PIABA
The Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA) was founded in 1990 as a national association dedicated to representing investors in disputes with the securities industry. PIABA is composed mainly of securities fraud lawyers who focus on securities arbitration and litigation, protecting the rights of individual investors.
PIABA’s mission centers on promoting fairness in alternative dispute resolution, advocating for essential investor protections, supporting the professional growth of its members, and improving public knowledge of investment issues.
PIABA’s Mission
PIABA’s work centers on five priorities:
- Encouraging fairness and honesty in the securities industry
- Supporting high standards of professional and ethical principles
- Providing education and continuing legal education
- Advancing policies that strengthen protections for investors
- Encouraging discussion and partnership among investor advocates
PIABA serves as a strong voice within the investor rights community. The association regularly comments on rulemaking from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and partners with state regulators including the North American Securities Administrators Association on investor protection initiatives.
PIABA Benefits
Members receive resources and access designed for attorneys who represent investors in securities disputes.
Professional Community. PIABA provides a national network of attorneys focused on investor protection and securities litigation. Members benefit from collaboration, professional dialogue, and shared insight into evolving legal and regulatory developments.
Education and Continuing Legal Education. PIABA provides substantive programming and educational opportunities customized to attorneys practicing in securities litigation. Education frequently addresses current developments in securities law, arbitration practice, litigation strategy, and regulatory trends.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement. PIABA contributes to public policy and regulatory initiatives affecting investors. The association’s advocacy efforts promote investor protection and fairness in the securities industry. PIABA’s advocacy work and comment letters to regulators are frequently cited in financial press coverage and inform agency rulemaking.
Professional Resources. Members receive access to publications and materials addressing developments in securities law and investor advocacy. PIABA also maintains a discussion forum and resources that support client representation, including the PIABA Bar Journal.
Leadership and Committee Participation. PIABA members are encouraged to participate in committees, discussions, and other initiatives promoting investor representation. These opportunities allow members to network and participate in the association’s mission.
Membership Categories
PIABA offers multiple membership classifications across professional roles within the legal community. There are opportunities for practicing attorneys, law students, regulators, paralegals, educators, and retired practitioners. The full list of categories is available on the Membership Tiers page.
PIABA’s membership structure allows for a diverse membership to enhance investor representation.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for PIABA membership, an attorney must be in good standing and devote at least 80% of their securities practice — both individually and at the firm level — to representing investor-customers. Eligibility is based on hours worked, not revenue, over the last 12 months.
Attorneys who have not yet represented customers in these disputes may still be eligible if neither they nor their firm has worked against customers in the past 12 months. The full eligibility criteria are detailed on the Membership Benefits page.
PIABA’s eligibility standards reflect its position as an association exclusively focused on representing public investors — a distinction that separates PIABA from general bar associations and from organizations representing broker-dealers and the financial services industry.
How to Apply
Attorneys whose practices involve representing investors or advancing investor protection in securities litigation are invited to apply for membership through the Membership Tiers page. The application asks for information about the attorney’s practice, firm, and bar admissions.
After submitting an application, prospective members can expect a response within several business days. Annual membership dues vary by category and are detailed on the registration page.
For attorneys with questions about eligibility or the application process, PIABA’s office can be reached through the Contact Us page.
Join PIABA
Join PIABA to engage with a national bar association dedicated to investor advocacy. Visit membership resources to learn more.