PIABA to SEC: Stronger Action on Forced Arbitration by RIAs

PIABA WELCOMES NEW OFFICERS & DIRECTOR FOR 2026 TERM

Courtney Werning Will Serve As Vice President and August Iorio as PIABA Secretary.

WASHINGTON, DC (April 7, 2026) – The Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA) announced two new officer appointments for the 2026 term. Courtney Werning will serve as Vice President and August Iorio will serve as PIABA Secretary. PIABA also welcomed its new Board member, Jon Furgison.

Michael Bixby, president of PIABA and managing attorney for Bixby Law PLLC, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome these distinguished attorneys to the PIABA Board of Directors Executive Leadership team. Courtney and August have dedicated their careers to investor protection, and they truly exemplify PIABA’s core values. We look forward to serving to advocate for main street investors alongside them as PIABA continues to fight back against unprecedented attacks on investor rights.”

Courtney M. Werning is a Principal at Meyer Wilson Werning, where she has dedicated her career to the representation of investors in complex disputes with financial institutions, investment advisers, and brokerage firms. Her practice encompasses litigation and arbitration in various forums, including state and federal court, AAA, JAMS, and FINRA arbitration. Her recent matters involving unsuitable investment strategies, fraud and misrepresentation, crypto losses, Ponzi schemes, elder financial abuse, securities act claims, and securities class actions. Courtney has served in various leadership positions in PIABA over the years and is a member of FINRA’s National Arbitration and Mediation Committee.

August M. Iorio is the founder and managing attorney of Iorio Law PLLC in New York City. He has handled more than 700 securities arbitration cases from initial consultation through resolution and has achieved landmark victories against major brokerage firms and financial institutions. Notably, he secured the nation’s first FINRA arbitration award against Robinhood arising from its controversial 2021 “meme stock” trading restrictions, an important result for retail investors harmed by brokerage misconduct. His recent practice includes representing investors nationwide in securities arbitrations involving alternative investments and private placement offerings, including interests in Delaware Statutory Trusts.

Jon Furgison is the founder of Furgison Law Group, P.C., where he represents individual investors in disputes against brokerage firms and financial advisors nationwide. His practice focuses on complex securities fraud and investment loss claims, including breach of fiduciary duty, broker misconduct, overconcentration, misrepresentation, and unsuitable investment recommendations, pursued through FINRA, AAA, and JAMS arbitration and state and federal court litigation. Drawing on his prior experience representing the defense side of these disputes, Jon brings a unique perspective to the fight for investor rights, ensuring that individuals harmed by broker misconduct have a skilled and determined advocate in their corner.

Currently, Michael Bixby serves as PIABA President, Joseph Wojciechowski serves as the Executive Vice President/Incoming President, and Lance McCardle is PIABA Treasurer.

ABOUT PIABA

The Public Investors Advocate Bar Association is an international, not-for-profit, voluntary bar association of lawyers who represent claimants in securities and commodities arbitration proceedings and securities litigation. The mission of PIABA is to promote the interests of the public investor in securities arbitration, by seeking to protect such investors from abuses in the arbitration process, by seeking to make securities arbitration as just and fair as systemically possible and by educating investors concerning their rights. For more information, go to http://www.piaba.org.

CONTACT: Max Karlin, (703) 276-3255 or mkarlin@hastingsgroupmedia.com.

Hear what our members say about PIABA.

See how PIABA has helped protect others in investment disputes within the securities industry.

“The resources and networking opportunities provided by PIABA have been instrumental in my career development. When I was new to the practice, I was surrounded by mentors and friends who were always willing to help. Over the 12+ years I have been a member, PIABA has consistently been my most valuable support. As an experienced lawyer, PIABA offers leadership roles and opportunities to give back by mentoring the next generation of attorneys in this area. You won’t regret getting involved.”

Meyer Wilson Werning

Courtney M. Werning, Esq. | Principal

“I have been a PIABA member since the year of its founding in 1991. For 33 years PIABA has been an unparalleled source of information and ideas, and remains an integral part of my law practice. More important, I count many of its members as my friends. PIABA has greatly enriched my life, both professionally and socially.”

Leonard Steiner

STEINER & LIBO

“Piaba has been instrumental to the growth of my career. I have made lifelong friends and have attended every annual meeting for the last 15 years. The list-serve, the dedication of its members and its national reach is the gold standard for any bar association.”

Gana Weinstein

Adam J. Gana | Managing Partner

“PIABA is the greatest bar association I have had the privilege of being a part of. PIABA and its membership have been instrumental in my growth and development as a securities litigation attorney in representing and fighting for investors. As a member of PIABA you will find many attorneys across the country who are willing to help you from sharing practice tips to arguments. There is no organization doing more good for the investing public than PIABA.”

Michael C. Bixby

Bixby Law PLLC | Founder & Managing Attorney

PRESS RELEASE – PIABA WELCOMES NEW OFFICERS & DIRECTOR FOR 2026 TERM

Hear what our members say about PIABA.

Meyer Wilson Werning

Leonard Steiner

Gana Weinstein

Michael C. Bixby