Beth M. Conran

As Leader of the firm’s Financial Services Industry Group, Beth represents clients in a broad range of complex business litigation and arbitration matters. Beth has a keen understanding of how to achieve her clients’ goals efficiently and effectively in complex disputes while supporting their business objectives. Clients turn to Beth for results. She is a seasoned litigator with extensive trial experience in high stakes litigation, including trying cases to verdict as first chair in courts and arbitration tribunals, as well as handling appeals in both state and federal appellate courts.

Beth specializes in post-employment matters involving trade secret misappropriation, unauthorized disclosure of confidential information, and breaches of post-employment contract terms like non-compete and non-solicitation provisions.  Beth has robust experience representing broker-dealers and registered representatives in matters related to Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and routinely appears in the FINRA arbitration forum.  Beth also represents financial institutions in state and federal courts, seeking injunctive relief and damages for claims involving misappropriation of trade secrets, non-solicitation agreements, unfair competition, and breach of loyalty and fiduciary duty. She also represents financial institutions and investment professionals in securities arbitrations before FINRA involving customer claims of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, suitability, churning, negligent supervision, and violations of state and federal securities laws.

Beth acts as lead litigation and trial counsel for a global energy company, defending against antitrust and trade regulation claims related to alleged unlawful motor fuel pricing practices and unlawful deed restrictions or brand covenants associated with gasoline station sales.

In her franchising and distribution practice, Beth handles claims relating to the franchise relationship, including termination and non-renewal, disclosure and fraud claims, trademark infringement, unfair competition, breach of contract, and other claims related to the relationship.

A frequent writer and speaker on complex business litigation topics, she has lectured on Missouri ethics and data breach laws and written about proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for the Business Torts Section of the American Bar Association.