Tara A. LaClair

When litigation becomes a business crisis, financial institutions, businesses, executives, and professionals turn to Tara La Clair. A national financial services trial lawyer, Tara represents financial institutions, broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, insurance companies, businesses, executives, and financial professionals in high-stakes litigation, arbitration, regulatory proceedings, internal investigations, employment disputes, white-collar defense matters, and bad-faith litigation. She also represents China- and Hong Kong-based clients in U.S. securities and financial industry litigation, navigating the complex legal, regulatory, and business considerations that arise in cross-border disputes.

Her matters often involve overlapping legal, regulatory, financial, reputational, and business risks, requiring strategic judgment and practical solutions. She has tried more than 35 matters to conclusion, including jury and bench trials, FINRA and employment arbitrations, administrative proceedings, emergency injunction matters, and appeals throughout the United States and North America. Tara also regularly represents clients before the SEC, FINRA, state securities regulators, insurance departments, and other governmental agencies, and advises on compliance, risk management, investigations, and crisis response.

Tara is experienced with advisor transitions, team departures, raiding allegations, restrictive covenants, trade secrets, customer solicitation disputes, Protocol issues, fiduciary disputes, and emergency injunctive relief, bringing a sophisticated understanding of the regulatory, employment, and business issues surrounding sensitive transitions.  As a FINRA arbitrator, she brings a unique perspective to the arbitration process and insight into how decision-makers evaluate evidence and credibility.

With roots in California’s financial services market and a national practice, Tara represents clients across jurisdictions and regulatory environments; her California and Michigan admissions support her work in FINRA proceedings and related litigation requiring local licensure.  She is also a frequent speaker and author on securities regulation, financial services litigation, restrictive covenants, employment mobility, arbitration, and regulatory developments affecting financial institutions and investment professionals.

Representative Matters:

• Served as lead counsel in a nine-week FINRA arbitration involving claims exceeding $100 million.
• Obtains complete defense verdicts in securities, employment, and FINRA arbitrations.
• Successfully represents financial advisors in promissory note, transition, and fraudulent inducement disputes.
• Represents financial institutions in customer, beneficiary, fiduciary, and account ownership disputes involving millions of dollars in assets.
• Defends class actions, securities litigation, bad faith claims, and professional liability matters.
• Handles high-profile employment mobility, raiding, and restrictive covenant disputes.
• Represents clients in regulatory investigations, enforcement proceedings, and internal investigations.
• Trying business disputes involving allegations of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition, tortious interference, and business interference claims.

Experience

• L.A. Thoracic & Cardiovascular Found. v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.: Trial counsel in nine-week arbitration involving claims of elder abuse, breach of contract, fiduciary duty, negligent investigation and fraud. Damages claimed at hearing in excess of $100 million. RESULT: After closing arguments, obtained favorable resolution for less than two percent of damages sought. Orange County, California.
• Hermetic Flower Company v. Hawthorn Garden Co.: Trial counsel for Plaintiff, an organic, medicinal cannabis grow facility, in a jury trial involving breach of warranty / defective product claims against a commercial grow light manufacturer. RESULT: Jury returned a verdict for Plaintiff, awarding cost of the defective lights, cost of replacement lights, lost revenue, replacement of lost plants, cost of removing the lights and attorney fees.
• Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated v. Whitney et a: Trial and Appellate counsel/Related FINRA arbitration in case involving fiduciary duty claims and beneficiary issues. RESULT: After a full hearing on the merits, all claims denied and attorney fees awarded to Respondent; Upheld on appeal. Tenth Circuit.
• Ellen L. Brown v. Neuberger Berman et al: Trial counsel in securities fraud and other misconduct case. RESULT: After a full hearing on the merits, obtained a full defense verdict. Los Angeles, California.
• RBC Dain Rauscher, Inc. v. Morgan Stanley DW, Inc. et al: Trial counsel in FINRA employment arbitration, involving raiding claims; RESULT: After a three-week hearing, obtained full defense verdict. Dallas, Texas.
• Rabin Nouranifar v. East El Paso Physician’s Medical Center: Served as lead trail counsel in AHL arbitration involving securities fraud claims against Hospital. RESULT: Obtained full Plaintiff award for client, including attorney fees and costs. AHLA Arbitration in Dallas. Texas
• Thomas DeBacco v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated: Trial counsel for Respondent in case involving allegations related to settlement and clearing of a trust preferred security. RESULT: After a full hearing on the merits, obtained full defense verdict. FINRA Arbitration in Kansas City, Missouri.
• Korbelik v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated: Trial counsel in a securities fraud case alleging more than$6 million in damages. RESULT: After a three-week hearing on the merits, obtained a complete defense verdict, with costs assessed against claimants. FINRA arbitration in Denver, Colorado.
• Pana Merchant v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.: Served as lead trial counsel in a case involving assets pledged to secure interests in Lloyds of London; RESULT: After a full hearing on the merits, the Panel found in favor of Respondent, denying all claims. FINRA Arbitration in St. Louis, Missouri.
• Epworth Villa Litigation Trust v. Homeland Insurance Company of New York, et al.: Represented insurance company in +$100 million bad faith trial. RESULT: After a mistrial was declared on day three, obtained a favorable settlement for our client. District Court of Oklahoma County Case No. CJ-2015-6795
• Schlanger Insurance Trust v. John Hancock Insurance, Inc., et al.: Trial counsel in variable life insurance policy case. RESULT: On the first day of trial, obtained favorable resolution. USDC Northern District of OK Case #10-CV-576-TCK TLW
• Hoi Ming Michael Ho v. Duoyuan Global Water, Inc. et al. Case No. 1:10-cv-07233(GBD): Defense counsel in nationwide class action alleging violations of federal securities laws. RESULT: Our client’s motion to dismiss was granted in part, narrowing the claims and allowing for a favorable resolution for our client. Southern District of New York.
• Perry v. Duoyuan Printing, Inc., Case No 10-cv-7235: Defense counsel in class action and securities fraud case. RESULT: Obtained dismissal at the trial court level, and while on appeal, the parties resolved the case without payment by our client. Southern District of New York.

News & Alerts

Speaking Engagements & Events

Articles & Publications

Professional Affiliations

• FINRA Dispute Resolution Arbitrator
• Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA)
• American Health Lawyers Association
• ABA Fellow

Civic Involvement

• Oklahoma Conservation Leadership Academy
• Leadership Oklahoma City (Class XXXVI)
• Oklahoma City Beautiful (board member)

Awards & Honors

• The Journal Record 50 Making a Difference Honoree (2019)
• Named Top 25 Women Super Lawyers in Oklahoma (2022)
• Listed in America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators (2017)
• Super Lawyers®, Securities Litigation Law, Business Litigation Law, Employment Litigation: Defense Law, Energy & Natural Resources Law, Oklahoma City, OK (2013-2014, 2017-2023)

This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma.

• Super Lawyers Rising Stars®, Securities Litigation Law, Business Litigation Law, Employment Litigation: Defense Law, Energy & Natural Resources Law, Oklahoma City, OK (2008-2009)

This award is conferred by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology is available here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma.

• Certificate of Special Tribute from the State of Michigan