JEFFREY S. KOB
Jeffrey S. Kob is a securities litigation and arbitration attorney with legal experience spanning the last 30 years, as a clerk to two federal judges, as a FINRA arbitrator, as an SEC enforcement attorney, as general counsel to a large independent broker-dealer and in private practice as trial counsel to various broker-dealers and registered representatives. His securities and trial background make Mr. Kob uniquely qualified to handle a variety of securities related issues.
Mr. Kob has appeared in various federal and states courts and in over 350 securities arbitrations before FINRA Dispute Resolution, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and other bodies across the country. Among other major litigation actions, he represented the prevailing party before the California Supreme Court on a key securities issue which affected all securities arbitrations conducted in California. In Jevne v. Superior Court, 35 Cal. 4th935 (2005), Mr. Kob successfully convinced the California Supreme Court that federal securities law preempted certain California created arbitration rules. Mr. Kob has also acted as a NASD (now FINRA) arbitrator, often as the Chairperson of three member panels.
While a law student at Washington University in St. Louis, Mr. Kob worked for Chief Judge James E. Meredith for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He earned a clerkship with a federal appellate court and began his legal career as a clerk for the Honorable James E. Barrett for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Mr. Kob continued to develop his base of securities and litigation experience by joining the Los Angeles Regional Office of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an enforcement attorney and then Branch Chief. As Branch Chief, he directed a staff of attorneys and investigators in various inquiries and administrative and court enforcement actions under the federal securities laws.
After departing the SEC, Mr. Kob was selected to be general counsel to one of the nation’s first independent contractor broker-dealers, First Affiliated Securities, Inc. (FAS), based in San Diego. Mr. Kob oversaw all aspects of FAS’ legal department including interfacing with the NASD and federal and state regulators and managing the firm’s securities arbitration and litigation caseload, in addition to the usual functions of a general counsel in an operating corporation.
Leaving the in-house general counsel position at FAS to enter private practice, Mr. Kob joined a securities litigation firm based in downtown San Diego, where he represented numerous broker-dealers and their associated persons in various arbitration and court forums around the country. While continuing to counsel independent broker-dealers, Mr. Kob and his partners participated in select plaintiff’s cases against larger broker-dealers that resulted in over $40 million dollars in recoveries. Between his time in the industry and in private practice, Mr. Kob has amassed more than 30 years of securities arbitration and litigation defense experience.
San Diego Office
Historic Bank of Coronado Building
1172 Orange Avenue, Second Floor
Coronado, California 92118
Phone: 619.962.4784
Admitted to Practice
California
Colorado
Wyoming
Professional Activities / Other Qualifications
FINRA Arbitrator and Chairperson
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
Successfully represented owner of BD against claims of fraudulent conveyance and securities fraud in multi-million dollar claim by class of investors.
Successfully represented branch manager against claims of failing to supervise a registered representative accused of unauthorized trading, suitability and breach of fiduciary duty.
Successfully represented BD against claims breach of fiduciary duty and sale of unsuitable recommendations in the sale of Tenant in Common investments.
Successfully represented online BD in the claims of breach of fiduciary duty and fraud in short sale transactions involving hard to borrow stocks.
Successfully represented Registered Representative in note collection case brought by national BD.
Successfully represented Registered Representative in obtaining Expungement several years after the underlying case had been closed and parties no longer available.
Jevne v. Superior Court (2005) 35 Cal. 4th 935 – successfully convinced the California Supreme Court that federal securities laws preempted certain California legislative created arbitration rules governing all FINRA arbitrations in California.
Olson v. Steckler,et al, 2015 WL 5178436 - obtained pre-trial dismissal of breach of fiduciary duty claims brought by investors in a failed real estate investment in a three story office building in Arizona. The Court found that the investors were on notice of their claims as of the date of their investment based upon the written disclosures made to the investors.
FINRA Department of Enforcement v. Glendale Securities, Inc. et. al. (2018)- Respondent Glendale prevailed at hearing and after appeal to the National Adjudicatory Committee (following DOE appeal) in a matter where DOE alleged multi-million dollar market manipulation and the sale of unregistered securities. DOE sought to Bar Glendale and its principals from the industry and failed after a two week hearing and after an appeal to the NAC.
CLERKSHIPS
1979 - Honorable James H. Meredith, Chief Judge of the United States District for the District of Eastern Missouri
1980 - Honorable James E. Barrett, Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
HONORS AND AWARDS
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated Lawyer from LexisNexis Martindale Hubbell – The AV Peer Review Rating identifies lawyers with the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards and is a reflection of an attorneys’ expertise, experience, integrity and overall professional excellence. The rating is the result of a peer review system based upon the confidential opinions of practicing attorneys and members of the judiciary.
Top Lawyers in San Diego – Securities Litigation & Arbitration
REPRESENTATIVE SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
“Going to Hearing: Developments in Arbitration” – Panel Moderator, REISA, 2013 Annual Conference, October 6-8, 2013
“Law and Compliance Update” – DFPG Annual Compliance Conference, May 1, 2013
“Arbitration 101” – Panel Moderator, REISA 2012 Spring Symposium, March 11-13, 2012
