Why This Matters
Understanding which arbitrators appear most often in FINRA cases provides practical insight for case strategy. Arbitrators with long records offer more historical information, which improves confidence when evaluating how they may approach procedural or substantive issues. They are also more likely to have encountered your opposing counsel, your type of dispute, or your firm. In addition, frequent arbitrators are well known among practitioners, which increases the chance that colleagues can share direct observations about their approach to hearings and deliberations.
Our Methodology
To identify the most experienced FINRA arbitrators of the past decade, we analyzed every arbitration award issued between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2024. Consolidated matters were treated as a single case, and amended awards were counted only once in order to avoid overstating experience levels. This method provides a clear view of each arbitrator's participation in distinct cases.
Top 25 Arbitrators by Award Count (Jan 1, 2015 - Dec 31, 2024)
Rank | Arbitrator Name | No. of Cases |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert E. Anderson | 151 |
| 2 | Tracy L. Allen | 100 |
| 3 | Martin A. Feigenbaum | 98 |
| 4 | Michael J. Ahlstrom | 95 |
| 5 | Louis David Huss | 79 |
| 6 | Annamaria Boccia Smith | 75 |
| 7 | Linda J. Baer | 75 |
| 8 | Will Murphy | 74 |
| 9 | Harvey R. Linder | 71 |
| 10 | Robert D. Sussin | 71 |
| 11 | Edward W. Morris, Jr. | 71 |
| 12 | Jim Geiger | 70 |
| 13 | Robert J. Scafuri | 69 |
| 14 | John P. Cullem | 67 |
| 15 | Lynn Hirschfeld Brahin | 66 |
| 16 | Christopher J. Klein | 64 |
| 17 | Stuart K. Furman | 63 |
| 18 | Susan L. Walker | 61 |
| 19 | David A. Schuler | 61 |
| 20 | Kirtley M. Thiesmeyer | 58 |
| 21 | Barry Goldman | 56 |
| 22 | Richard S. Zaifert | 56 |
| 23 | Lynne M. Gomez | 55 |
| 24 | Robert E. Jenks | 53 |
| 25 | Philip J. Glick | 52 |
This analysis cannot be easily replicated merely by searching FINRA's Arbitration Awards database. Award documents contain name variations, inconsistencies, and clerical issues that require correction and standardization before the data becomes reliable. For example, FINRA's search results will tell you that Tracy L. Allen was an arbitrator on case 21-02916, but drilling down into the award document, you will find she never appears as an arbitrator nor signs the award. ArbitratorX processes these issues so that practitioners can work with accurate and consistent information.
Get Started with ArbitratorX
To review the detailed history and decision patterns of the arbitrators assigned to your matters, create an ArbitratorX account and begin your research with verified and organized FINRA data. Gain the strategic advantage that comes from truly understanding who will decide your case.
Have questions about arbitrator research or case strategy? Contact our team at support@arbitrator-x.com.