Document ID: SEC-2011-1800-0001
Agency: sec
Document Type: Notice
Title: Self-Regulatory Organizations; Proposed Rule Changes: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
Posted Date: 2011-11-23T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72463-72467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30255]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-65787; File No. SR-FINRA-2011-044]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory 
Authority, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change Relating to 
FINRA's Code of Procedure

November 18, 2011.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
(``Act'') \1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given that 
on November 8, 2011, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. 
(``FINRA'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (``SEC'' 
or ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I, 
II, and III below, which Items have been prepared by FINRA. The 
Commission is publishing this notice to solicit comments on the 
proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance 
of the Proposed Rule Change

    FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA's Code of Procedure that 
includes: (1) Allowing service of a complaint (and notices of certain 
expedited proceedings) on counsel or another person authorized to 
represent others when such representative agrees to accept service; (2) 
permitting electronic filing of papers with an adjudicator; (3) 
decreasing the number of copies required to be filed with the 
adjudicator; (4) giving counsel to the National Adjudicatory Council 
(``NAC'') authority to set the specifications and the number of copies 
of all papers to be filed with the NAC; (5) requiring an attorney 
seeking to withdraw from a disciplinary case to file a motion before 
withdrawal would be approved; (6) adding an additional, permissive 
subject for a pre-hearing conference; (7) allowing FINRA staff to set 
the rate for copies; (8) allowing Hearing Officers to manage the 
parties' pre-hearing submissions to reduce and eliminate duplicative 
filings; (9) giving Hearing Panels and the NAC additional

[[Page 72464]]

flexibility as to required statements in decisions; (10) clarifying 
that the Review Subcommittee may review certain default decisions; (11) 
allowing an adjudicator to cancel a previously scheduled oral argument; 
(12) clarifying the procedure for when an appealing party does not 
participate in a disciplinary proceeding before a Hearing Officer, a 
Hearing Panel or, if applicable, an Extended Hearing Panel; (13) 
allowing a Hearing Panel in an eligibility proceeding to extend time 
limits for the filing of any papers without consent of all the parties; 
and (14) allowing counsel to the NAC to decide a procedural motion in 
an eligibility proceeding or an expedited proceeding.
    The text of the proposed rule change is available on FINRA's Web 
site at http://www.finra.org, at the principal office of FINRA and at 
the Commission's Public Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, FINRA included statements 
concerning the purpose of and basis for the proposed rule change and 
discussed any comments it received on the proposed rule change. The 
text of these statements may be examined at the places specified in 
Item IV below. FINRA has prepared summaries, set forth in sections A, 
B, and C below, of the most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Purpose of, and 
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    FINRA's Code of Procedure (the ``Code'') contains detailed 
provisions for initiating and adjudicating various types of actions, 
including disciplinary, eligibility, expedited, and cease and desist 
proceedings.\3\ Since implementation on August 7, 1997, FINRA staff has 
obtained significant experience using the Code, and believes that 
certain Code provisions should be amended to improve workability, 
provide more clarity and reduce unnecessary duplication. The proposed 
rule change, as described below, seeks generally to improve the 
efficient administration of FINRA proceedings, is procedural in nature, 
and will not affect any party's substantive rights under FINRA rules.
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    \3\ The FINRA Rule 9000 Series is FINRA's Code of Procedure.
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Service of Complaint
    FINRA Rule 9131(a) requires a complaint to be served on each party 
by the Department of Enforcement or the Department of Market 
Regulation. Currently, the rule does not explicitly permit FINRA staff 
to serve the complaint on a party's counsel. Many parties, however, are 
represented by counsel when a complaint is ready to be served. FINRA 
proposes to accommodate respondents who have retained counsel and have 
authorized them to accept service. The proposed rule change amends 
FINRA Rule 9131(a) to clarify that only the Department of Enforcement 
or the Department of Market Regulation can serve a complaint and to 
allow for service on counsel or another person authorized to represent 
others when such representative agrees to accept service of the 
complaint. FINRA also seeks to address an issue created by the Rules of 
Professional Conduct in many states, which require that, once a person 
retains an attorney, unless the attorney specifically provides 
otherwise, all communications be directed to counsel.\4\ The proposal 
harmonizes FINRA's rules with these state bar rules.
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    \4\ See, e.g., American Bar Association Model Rule of 
Professional Conduct 4.2 (Communication with Person Represented by 
Counsel) (ABA Rule 4.2). ABA Rule 4.2 provides that, ``[i]n 
representing a client, a lawyer shall not communicate about the 
subject of the representation with a person the lawyer knows to be 
represented by another lawyer in the matter, unless the lawyer has 
the consent of the other lawyer or is authorized to do so by law or 
a court order.'' Many states have rules regarding communication with 
a person represented by counsel that are based on ABA Rule 4.2.
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    FINRA Rule 9131(a) also provides that a party initiating a 
proceeding shall serve a document initiating a proceeding on the other 
party. FINRA proposes to delete this provision because it has been 
superseded by other FINRA rules and no longer plays a role in expedited 
proceedings.\5\ Further, the Code does not allow a party other than 
FINRA to initiate a proceeding.\6\
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    \5\ The references to a document initiating a proceeding have 
been rendered unnecessary in FINRA Rule 9131 because each of FINRA's 
expedited proceedings has a specific rule that typically states that 
FINRA staff will serve the FINRA member or associated person with a 
notice regarding the expedited proceeding. See FINRA Rules 9551(b), 
9552(b), 9553(b), 9554(b), 9555(b), 9556(b), 9557(b) and 9558(b).
    \6\ The concept of allowing an aggrieved person to initiate an 
NASD disciplinary proceeding was eliminated, with Commission 
approval, in 1997. See Russell A. Simpson, 53 S.E.C. 1042, 1044 n.3, 
1998 SEC LEXIS 2503, at *3 n.3 (1998).
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    The FINRA Rule 9550 Series provides procedures for initiating and 
adjudicating expedited proceedings. The service provisions contained in 
the rules under the Rule 9550 Series are similar to FINRA Rule 9131(a) 
in that they require serving notice on a member, person associated with 
a member or person subject to FINRA's jurisdiction, but do not discuss 
service on counsel. For the reasons set forth above, FINRA is proposing 
to amend FINRA Rules 9551(b), 9552(b), 9553(b), 9554(b), 9555(b) and 
9556(b) to allow for service on counsel or other person authorized to 
represent others when such representative agrees to accept service of a 
notice.
Filing of Papers With Adjudicator
    FINRA Rule 9135(a) prescribes the timing for the filing of papers 
with an adjudicator. Complaints are deemed timely filed upon mailing or 
delivery to the Office of Hearing Officers. Other papers required to be 
filed are deemed timely if, on the same day such papers are served, 
they are also hand-delivered, mailed via U.S. Postal service first 
class mail or sent by courier to FINRA. In recognition of the increased 
use of electronic mail, FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA Rule 9135(a) 
to allow the use of electronic mail as another delivery method for 
complaints and other papers required to be filed with an adjudicator.
    FINRA Rule 9136 establishes the form for papers filed in connection 
with a disciplinary proceeding or a review of a disciplinary 
proceeding. FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA Rule 9136(a)(5) to 
require such papers to contain single-spaced footnotes. Additionally, 
to reduce duplication, FINRA is proposing to amend FINRA Rule 9136(c) 
by decreasing the number of copies required to be filed with the 
adjudicator from three to one, unless otherwise ordered. Finally, the 
proposed rule change amends FINRA Rule 9313 by giving counsel to the 
NAC the authority to set the specifications and the number of copies of 
all papers to be filed with the NAC. The proposed rule change is 
consistent with counsel to the NAC's other ministerial and 
administrative responsibilities under the rule, and it furthers the 
efficient administration of review proceedings.
Motion To Withdraw by Attorney
    FINRA Rule 9142 requires an attorney for a party or person 
authorized to represent others seeking to withdraw to give notice 
setting forth good cause for the withdrawal at least 30 days prior to 
withdrawal, unless circumstances do not permit. It has been FINRA 
staff's experience that, on occasion, an attorney believes that his or 
her withdrawal is effective immediately upon filing the notice, and the 
attorney does not provide any contact

[[Page 72465]]

information for the party no longer being represented. To address these 
concerns, and to lessen the potential disruption to parties and pending 
proceedings caused by the withdrawal of counsel, FINRA is proposing to 
amend FINRA Rule 9142 to require an attorney for a party (or person 
authorized to represent others by FINRA Rule 9141) seeking to withdraw 
to file a motion that sets forth the good cause for withdrawal and 
contains the contact information of the party no longer being 
represented.
Subjects Discussed at Pre-Hearing Conference
    FINRA Rule 9241(c) delineates the subjects that the Hearing 
Officer, in a pre-hearing conference, may consider and act upon. The 
proposed rule change amends FINRA Rule 9241 by adding an additional, 
permissive subject for a pre-hearing conference: designation of 
relevant portions of transcripts from investigative testimony or other 
proceedings and the inclusion of an index for such testimony. It has 
been FINRA staff's experience that parties sometimes introduce 
voluminous testimonial transcripts into evidence, without specifying 
the particular sections of such transcripts that are relevant to the 
proceeding and without an index. The proposed rule change promotes 
efficiency by bringing into focus the relevant portions of testimonial 
transcripts.
Fees for Copying Costs During Discovery
    FINRA Rule 9251(f) allows a respondent to obtain a photocopy of all 
documents made available for inspection by the Department of 
Enforcement or the Department of Market Regulation. Unless otherwise 
ordered, charges for copies made at the request of a respondent shall 
be at a rate to be established by the Board of FINRA or FINRA 
Regulation. The proposed rule change amends FINRA Rule 9251(f) to 
identify FINRA staff as setting the rate for copies. Copying costs are 
based on rates charged by local copying vendors in the area where FINRA 
maintains the documents. FINRA staff is familiar with these copying 
rates and will base the rates accordingly.
Submission of Evidence
    FINRA Rule 9261(a) addresses pre-hearing disclosures and requires 
each party to submit to all other parties and to the Hearing Officer 
copies of documentary exhibits the parties intend to introduce and the 
names of the witnesses each party intends to present at a hearing. 
Currently, pre-hearing, proposed documentary evidence submitted to the 
Hearing Officer becomes part of the record. At the hearing, all of the 
documents that are admitted into evidence also become part of the 
record.\7\ This results in the record containing a duplicate of nearly 
every document that was admitted into evidence. When a Hearing Panel 
decision is appealed to the NAC, FINRA staff makes several copies of 
the record. The unnecessary duplication of pre-hearing exhibits is 
therefore multiplied on appeal.
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    \7\ See FINRA Rule 9267(a)(3).
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    The proposed rule change amends FINRA Rule 9261(a) to establish 
that documentary evidence submitted prior to a hearing shall not become 
part of the record, unless a Hearing Officer, Hearing Panel, or 
Extended Hearing Panel orders that it will be. Further, the Hearing 
Officer may order each party--who will continue to exchange proposed 
documentary evidence with other parties--to refrain from submitting its 
proposed documentary evidence to the Hearing Officer. The proposed 
amendment reduces duplication of documents in the record and will 
prevent the copying of thousands of pages of pre-hearing exhibits each 
year.
Hearing Panel and NAC Decisions
    FINRA Rules 9268(b)(1) and 9349(b)(1) require that a statement 
describing the investigative or other origin of the disciplinary 
proceeding be included in the contents of a decision of the Hearing 
Panel or the NAC, respectively. The proposed rule change amends this 
provision to require such statement only if it is not otherwise 
contained in the record. The proposed amendment reduces unnecessary 
statements from disciplinary decisions.
Review Proceedings
    FINRA Rule 9312(a)(2) requires that if a default decision issued 
pursuant to FINRA Rule 9269 is called for review by the General Counsel 
within 25 days after the date of service of the decision, such decision 
shall be reviewed by the NAC. FINRA proposes to amend the rule to 
clarify that the Review Subcommittee also may review such decisions.\8\ 
The scope of review of default decisions is generally limited to 
address omissions or apparent mistakes in default decisions. The 
proposed rule change--in appropriate cases--allows for a speedier, more 
efficient review process, as the Review Subcommittee will typically be 
able to review a default decision and issue a short remand order more 
expeditiously than the NAC.
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    \8\ The Review Subcommittee is authorized to determine whether 
disciplinary decisions should be called for review by the NAC. See 
FINRA Regulation By-Laws, Article V, Section 5.13.
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Oral Argument in Review of Proceedings
    FINRA Rule 9341(a) establishes the procedure for a party requesting 
an oral argument before the Subcommittee or, if applicable, the 
Extended Proceeding Committee.\9\ Currently, once oral argument is 
requested, there is no mechanism to cancel such argument if a 
respondent abandons his or her request for oral argument subsequent to 
filing a brief but prior to the date set for oral argument. The 
proposed rule change allows the Subcommittee or, if applicable, the 
Extended Proceeding Committee, to cancel in writing a previously 
scheduled oral argument, and decide the matter based on the briefs and 
the record without oral argument, if the adjudicator finds good cause 
due to a respondent abandoning his or her prior request, or similar 
unreasonable lack of availability. For example, a respondent may be 
viewed as abandoning a previously scheduled oral argument if the 
adjudicator has not received a response after attempting to confirm the 
attendance of the respondent. If the adjudicator cancels an oral 
argument but a respondent believes this action was taken in error, a 
respondent may file a motion seeking to reschedule oral argument. The 
proposed rule change promotes efficiency and conserves resources that 
would have been expended in traveling to an oral argument when a 
respondent does not attend.
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    \9\ Upon consideration of the volume and complexity of the 
certified record, the NAC or the Review Subcommittee may appoint an 
Extended Proceeding Committee. See FINRA Rule 9331(a)(2).
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Failure to Participate in Disciplinary Proceeding
    FINRA Rule 9344(a) gives the NAC or the Review Subcommittee 
discretion on how to proceed when an appealing party did not 
participate in the disciplinary proceeding before a Hearing Officer, a 
Hearing Panel or, if applicable, an Extended Hearing Panel.\10\ The 
proposed rule change eliminates the first sentence of the rule because 
that sentence merely introduces the concept that the NAC could either 
remand an appeal from a default decision or consider the appeal without

[[Page 72466]]

a remand.\11\ The proposal specifies that the NAC or the Review 
Subcommittee will remand the disciplinary proceeding with instructions 
when a party shows good cause for failing to participate below. If, on 
the other hand, a party does not show good cause, the Subcommittee or 
other adjudicator will decide the case based on the briefs and the 
record and without oral argument. By amending this section, FINRA 
intends to make the rule easier to understand.
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    \10\ Upon consideration of the complexity of the issues 
involved, the probable length of the hearing, or other material 
factors, the Chief Hearing Officer may determine that a matter shall 
be designated an Extended Hearing, and such matter shall be 
considered by an Extended Hearing Panel. See FINRA Rule 9231(c).
    \11\ The proposed rule change also removes the potentially 
confusing language that the NAC would dismiss an appeal and remand 
the matter. In practice, when the NAC has remanded a default 
decision to a Hearing Officer, for example, the NAC remand order 
does not also state that the appeal is dismissed.
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    The proposed rule change substitutes the word ``shall'' for ``may'' 
when describing the NAC's action when a party shows good cause because 
the applicable remedy in this circumstance is always a remand with 
instructions. Default decisions against a respondent allow the Hearing 
Officer to deem the allegations in the complaint admitted, a practice 
that is widely followed in FINRA proceedings.\12\ Consequently, when a 
party shows good cause, the NAC would find it impracticable to review 
the merits of the appeal because the NAC would have no record evidence 
to review regarding the substance of alleged violations. Given the 
state of the record, the NAC should order a remand with instructions 
when a respondent shows good cause for failing to participate below.
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    \12\ See FINRA Rule 9269(a)(1).
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Filing of Papers in Eligibility Proceedings
    FINRA Rule 9524(a)(5) gives a Hearing Panel in an eligibility 
proceeding the ability, after obtaining consent of all the parties, to 
extend or shorten any time limits prescribed by the Code for the filing 
of any papers. The proposed rule change removes the consent requirement 
for any extension of such time limits to empower Hearing Panels with 
authority over such scheduling matters. This change makes eligibility 
proceedings consistent with disciplinary proceedings.\13\
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    \13\ See FINRA Rule 9322(a).
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Procedural Motions in Eligibility or Expedited Proceedings
    FINRA Rule 9146(j)(3) requires that in the FINRA Rule 9500 Series, 
a motion shall be decided by an adjudicator. FINRA proposes to amend 
the rule by allowing Counsel to the NAC to decide a procedural motion 
made pursuant to an eligibility proceeding or an expedited proceeding. 
This proposed rule change enables Counsel to the NAC to handle 
procedural motions in a more efficient and expeditious manner, and is 
similar to Counsel to the NAC's authority to dispose of procedural 
motions in disciplinary proceedings.\14\ Counsel will not be authorized 
to rule on dispositive motions.
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    \14\ See FINRA Rule 9146(j)(2).
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    FINRA will announce the effective date of the proposed rule change 
in a Regulatory Notice to be published no later than 60 days following 
Commission approval. The effective date will be no later than 30 days 
following publication of the Regulatory Notice announcing Commission 
approval. Once effective, the proposed rules will apply immediately to 
all new and pending matters governed by FINRA's Code of Procedure.
2. Statutory Basis
    FINRA believes that the proposed rule change is consistent with the 
provisions of Section 15A(b)(8) of the Act,\15\ which requires, among 
other things, that FINRA rules provide a fair procedure for the 
disciplining of members and persons associated with members, and 
Section 15A(b)(6) of the Act,\16\ which requires, among other things, 
that FINRA rules must be designed to prevent fraudulent and 
manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable 
principles of trade, and, in general, to protect investors and the 
public interest. FINRA's Code has been used in hundreds of disciplinary 
cases since its adoption and has provided fair procedures. It has 
allowed disciplinary cases to proceed in an orderly manner and thereby 
facilitated Hearing Panel and NAC decisions that, in turn, protect 
investors and the public interest. The proposed rule change will allow 
FINRA to continue to uphold the purposes of the Act by improving 
FINRA's case management of disciplinary cases, reducing costs, and 
promoting an effective disciplinary system.
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    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(8).
    \16\ 15 U.S.C. 78o-3(b)(6).
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    First, FINRA believes that the proposed rule change promotes fair 
procedures by improving the ability of adjudicators and their advisors 
to manage efficiently cases at both the trial level and on appeal. 
Several proposed revisions give specific authority to Hearing Officers, 
the Review Subcommittee, and counsel to the NAC such as: (1) Adding an 
additional subject at a pre-hearing conference that brings into focus 
the relevant portions of testimonial transcripts; (2) clarifying that 
the Review Subcommittee may review certain default decisions rather 
than the NAC; (3) giving counsel to the NAC authority to set the 
specifications and the number of copies of all papers to be filed with 
the NAC; (4) allowing counsel to the NAC to decide a procedural motion 
made in an eligibility proceeding or an expedited proceeding; (5) 
allowing a Hearing Panel in an eligibility proceeding to extend time 
limits for the filing of any papers; and (6) allowing FINRA staff to 
determine copying costs. These improvements to and confirmations of 
case management authority will allow adjudicators and advisors to 
follow fair procedures by applying appropriate rules to a suitable 
case.
    Second, the proposed rule change promotes fair procedures by 
reducing costs, conserving resources, and making participation in the 
disciplinary process somewhat easier. By decreasing the number of 
copies that the parties must file with the adjudicator, the proposed 
rule change to FINRA Rule 9136(e) will reduce costs to the parties. 
From the perspective of FINRA and its adjudicators, moreover, the 
proposed rule change to FINRA Rule 9261(a) will prevent the inclusion 
in the record of hundreds of duplicate exhibits that are otherwise 
contained in the record. Moreover, the proposed rule change to FINRA 
Rules 9268(b)(1) and 9349(b)(1) reduces duplication by requiring a 
statement describing the origin of a disciplinary proceeding be 
included only if it is not otherwise contained in the record. And by 
authorizing an adjudicator to cancel a previously scheduled oral 
argument that has been abandoned by a respondent, the proposed rule 
change to FINRA Rule 9341(a) prevents unnecessary travel by 
adjudicators and FINRA staff. These latter revisions will reduce 
FINRA's costs.
    Another aspect of the proposed rule change promotes fair procedures 
by allowing the parties to comply with the Code more easily. Parties 
will be allowed to, but not required to, file papers with an 
adjudicator by email. Respondents also will have the option of 
authorizing their attorney or representative to accept service of a 
complaint and notices of certain expedited proceedings. Additionally, 
the proposed rule change promotes clarity by stating more directly the 
process for a party who seeks to appeal from a default decision.
    The proposed rule change also reserves an adjudicator's ability to 
customize an order to promote fairness, based on the facts of that 
case. For example, a Hearing Officer may order that a particular pre-
hearing submission

[[Page 72467]]

be included in the record pursuant to FINRA Rule 9261(a), which could 
be based on fairness concerns.
    Third, the proposed rule change protects the public interest by 
requiring an attorney seeking to withdraw from a disciplinary case to 
file a motion (which will provide contact information for the party 
previously represented) before withdrawal would be approved. The 
proposed revision seeks to reduce any uncertainly as to whether a 
respondent is represented by an attorney. By requiring an attorney to 
file a motion for withdrawal, adjudicators and the parties will know 
that an attorney continues to represent the respondent until the motion 
is granted. This proposed revision promotes an effective disciplinary 
system in which cases can proceed to a hearing. By furthering an 
effective disciplinary system, the proposed rule change is consistent 
with the public interest in imposing disciplinary sanctions on FINRA 
firms and associated persons who violate FINRA Rules or the federal 
securities laws.
    For each of these reasons, FINRA believes that the proposed rule 
change will improve the process and procedures that govern the 
adjudication of disciplinary cases and expedited proceedings.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    FINRA does not believe that the proposed rule change will result in 
any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in 
furtherance of the purposes of the Act.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed 
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    Written comments were neither solicited nor received.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for 
Commission Action

    Within 45 days of the date of publication of this notice in the 
Federal Register or within such longer period (i) as the Commission may 
designate up to 90 days of such date if it finds such longer period to 
be appropriate and publishes its reasons for so finding or (ii) as to 
which the self-regulatory organization consents, the Commission will:
    (A) By order approve or disapprove such proposed rule change, or
    (B) Institute proceedings to determine whether the proposed rule 
change should be disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule 
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of 
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's Internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov. Please include 
File Number SR-FINRA-2011-044 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Elizabeth M. Murphy, 
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549-1090.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2011-044. This 
file number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To 
help the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently, 
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on 
the Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml). Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all 
written statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are 
filed with the Commission, and all written communications relating to 
the proposed rule change between the Commission and any person, other 
than those that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the 
provisions of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for Web site viewing and 
printing in the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE., 
Washington, DC 20549, on official business days between the hours of 10 
a.m. and 3 p.m. Copies of such filing also will be available for 
inspection and copying at the principal office of FINRA. All comments 
received will be posted without change; the Commission does not edit 
personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit 
only information that you wish to make publicly available. All 
submissions should refer to File Number SR-FINRA-2011-044 and should be 
submitted on or before December 14, 2011.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets, 
pursuant to delegated authority.\17\
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    \17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Kevin M. O'Neill,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-30255 Filed 11-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P