Portrait of Beth M. Conran

Beth M. Conran

Partner | Group Leader, Financial Services Industry

bconran@ubglaw.com
St. Louis – 314.516.2688

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  • Routinely represents broker-dealers in courts and arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) involving misappropriation of trade secrets, non-solicitation agreements, and breach of loyalty and fiduciary duty.
  • Represented national securities firm bringing claims against former employees and competitor for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-solicitation provisions, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, raiding and unfair trade competition involving approximately $1.1B in assets.
  • Represented national broker-dealer bringing claims against former employees and its competitor for raiding and unfair trade competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-solicitation provisions and other post-employment provisions, and breach of fiduciary duty involving approximately $500M in assets.
  • Represented national securities firm in a FINRA arbitration bringing claims for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-solicitation and confidentiality restrictions in employment agreement, including solicitation of clients and employees, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference and unjust enrichment, with assets under management of $325M. Successfully obtained TRO in state court specifying no contact with clients and successfully obtained permanent injunction following 8-day injunction hearing before FINRA Panel.
  • Represented financial institution against a competitor and departed advisor for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-solicitation and confidentiality restrictions in employment agreement, including through solicitation of clients and employees, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, civil conspiracy and unjust enrichment, with assets under management at issue of $350M. Obtained executed affidavit of departed advisor admitting misappropriation of client information. Case currently pending before FINRA with final hearing in late 2026.
  • Extensive experience representing broker-dealers and registered representatives in arbitrations before FINRA defending customer claims of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, suitability, negligent supervision and violations of state and federal statutes.
  • Lead trial counsel for a global energy company, successfully defending against claims of fraud, conspiracy, breach of contract, and state franchise violations brought by multi-site operators/franchisees seeking millions of dollars in damages.
  • Lead trial counsel defending a global energy company in litigation brought by a multi-site franchisee and jobber seeking more than $300 million and alleging claims of Petroleum Marketing Practices Act violations, improper pricing, state franchise law violations, and breach of contract.
  • Trial counsel defending a global energy company at trial against claims of improper pricing, fraud, breach of contract, and state franchise violations and multi-site franchisees brought by multi-site operators seeking more than $100 million.
  • Represents parties in litigation involving software development and implementation, including disputes in copyright, trademark, and licensing agreement.
  • Handles arbitration related to construction disputes, including those in the renewable energy and hotel industries.
  • Represents energy companies against claims involving common law theories and regulations brought by governmental entities and private parties relating to underground storage tanks and pipeline leaks.

Experience

  • Routinely represents broker-dealers in courts and arbitrations before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) involving misappropriation of trade secrets, non-solicitation agreements, and breach of loyalty and fiduciary duty.
  • Represented national securities firm bringing claims against former employees and competitor for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-solicitation provisions, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, raiding and unfair trade competition involving approximately $1.1B in assets.
  • Represented national broker-dealer bringing claims against former employees and its competitor for raiding and unfair trade competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-solicitation provisions and other post-employment provisions, and breach of fiduciary duty involving approximately $500M in assets.
  • Represented national securities firm in a FINRA arbitration bringing claims for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-solicitation and confidentiality restrictions in employment agreement, including solicitation of clients and employees, breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference and unjust enrichment, with assets under management of $325M. Successfully obtained TRO in state court specifying no contact with clients and successfully obtained permanent injunction following 8-day injunction hearing before FINRA Panel.
  • Represented financial institution against a competitor and departed advisor for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of non-solicitation and confidentiality restrictions in employment agreement, including through solicitation of clients and employees, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, tortious interference, civil conspiracy and unjust enrichment, with assets under management at issue of $350M. Obtained executed affidavit of departed advisor admitting misappropriation of client information. Case currently pending before FINRA with final hearing in late 2026.
  • Extensive experience representing broker-dealers and registered representatives in arbitrations before FINRA defending customer claims of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, suitability, negligent supervision and violations of state and federal statutes.
  • Lead trial counsel for a global energy company, successfully defending against claims of fraud, conspiracy, breach of contract, and state franchise violations brought by multi-site operators/franchisees seeking millions of dollars in damages.
  • Lead trial counsel defending a global energy company in litigation brought by a multi-site franchisee and jobber seeking more than $300 million and alleging claims of Petroleum Marketing Practices Act violations, improper pricing, state franchise law violations, and breach of contract.
  • Trial counsel defending a global energy company at trial against claims of improper pricing, fraud, breach of contract, and state franchise violations and multi-site franchisees brought by multi-site operators seeking more than $100 million.
  • Represents parties in litigation involving software development and implementation, including disputes in copyright, trademark, and licensing agreement.
  • Handles arbitration related to construction disputes, including those in the renewable energy and hotel industries.
  • Represents energy companies against claims involving common law theories and regulations brought by governmental entities and private parties relating to underground storage tanks and pipeline leaks.