Defamation v. Tortious Interference

Most of us have at least a “street-level” understanding of defamation. Individuals that hear or read damaging false statements about themselves or their business typically think: “I need to find a defamation lawyer.” They may be right. But if the defamatory statements at issue intersect with a commercial relationship or transaction, there is another avenue of relief and compensation that should be considered.

There are times when defamatory statements are intended to interfere with an existing business relationship. Take for example the case of investment adviser representative and broker Norm Meyer. He retained a fine lawyer, other than this firm, to go to war with his former broker-dealer¹. Norm may have had some issues if he, or his lawyer, restricted their thinking to defamation. First and foremost, defamation claims typically have to be brought within one year. Other causes of action, such as breach of contract and tortious interference have much longer life-spans.

After a very long legal battle, Norm has his BrokerCheck (professional record) amended. The arbitration panel ordered a uniquely thorough Form U-5 expungement and a detailed amendment.

One more observation: defamatory statements, even in the commercial context, frequently get repeated in the media. One example is a business journal. Whether or not the media is liable for repeating the defamatory statements of another depends upon the facts and forum at play. A careful analysis of what was said and in what context is critical in determining whether or not the media should be added as defendants, if litigation is the path you must follow. 

Keep an eye on this blog to learn more about defamation, tortious interference, and reputation damage management and compensation.

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1 We represented Norm's colleague in the same matter.

Defamation Reputation Damage Management

In 1378, the Statute of Scandalum Magnatum granted judges and church officials in England a legal right to compensation if they had been insulted or defamed. The first Common Law defamation action on record was filed in England in 1507. Back then, however, the cause of action only applied to false utterances regarding criminality, incompetence, and disease. The law evolved dramatically in the United States. Indeed, Supreme Court Justice Stewart once wrote that the tort of defamation “reflects no more than our basic concept of the essential dignity and worth of every human being.¹”

Defamation law has been somewhat static since the seminal Supreme Court case of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan in 1964. But consider what has changed in the 50 years since that ruling. Let me cite just a few examples of developments that have completely transformed the impact of damages caused by defamatory conduct:

1. An erosion of society's perception of what is a private matter;
2. 24-hour news cycles;
3. The relative decline of more thorough print media; and
4. The internet (and the explosion of linked high-speed outlets for the dissemination of falsehoods.)

As the old saying goes, “A lie makes its way around the world before the truth has time to get its pants on.”

I will blog again shortly about the intersection of defamation and U-5 FINRA defamation claims. The lesson for now is as follows: brokers that have suffered from U-5 defamation need to do much more than simply file an arbitration claim. Reputation management is critical.

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1 If you want to dig deeper in to the legal history of defamation law, start with David Hudson's excellent piece by clicking here.

Missouri Supreme Court Rejects Trade Secret Claim Over Client List

Troy Kennedy (Kennedy”) left his position as director and executive officer of a trust and investment company when that company was bought by Central Trust & Investment Company (“CTI”). Kennedy left to found a competing firm. Both companies provided financial advice and investment management services. Within six months, Kennedy had successfully solicited 85 former clients.

Before the sale and departure in question, Kennedy had placed a detailed list of 200 clients in a safe deposit box upon the advice of legal counsel. Kennedy did not register his new company, ITI, with the SEC as an investment adviser. Instead, Kennedy affiliated himself as an investment adviser representative of an RIA called SignalPoint Asset Management, LLC (“SignalPoint”), the defendant in this case. The agreement between Kennedy and SignalPoint allowed Kennedy to offer investment services through SignalPoint in exchange for various fees on an independent contractor basis.

CTI filed suit against Kennedy and his new company, ITI. At the time it filed suit, it didn't even know about the client list in the safe deposit box. The suit included causes of action for conspiracy, misappropriation of trade secrets (MUTSA) and tortious interference with business relations. CTI then added SignalPoint as a third defendant. All three defendants filed motions for summary judgment. The trial court granted SignalPoint's only. The Supreme Court ordered the matter transferred to it from the Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court's analysis of the three different claims begins on page 7 of the 2014 Opinion [Click HERE]. The Opinion is a must read for attorneys representing agents or representatives that are about to “change ships” or broker-dealers or RIAs that are taking on a competitor's producer.

The Supreme Court sustained the dismissal of the statutory trade secret claim because CTI could not establish that SignalPoint had access to the client list. In doing so, it side-stepped the issue of whether the client list qualified as a trade secret. Ironically, the most valuable portion of the opinion for practitioners might be the two extensive footnotes (8 and 9) about client lists that prove that lawyers and judges can render obscure what should be obvious. Regardless, the Supreme Court concluded that because there was no access, there was no misappropriation, so there was no MUTSA violation.

The first 10 pages of the opinion fail to pin the law to the reality of the situation—that Kennedy had access to the list and was using it to benefit himself and SignalPoint. Ironically, the plaintiff's attorney couldn't pin that tail on the donkey either—he or she somehow failed to plead any theory of vicarious liability. The theory of respondent superior was not available either—Kennedy's IAR Agreement clearly established him as a non-employee. CTI needed but failed to plead that Kennedy was an agent over whom SignalPoint had a sufficient degree of control.

The Court proceeded to set forth the elements of a claim for tortious interference:

“To prove a claim for tortious interference with a contract or a business expectancy, the plaintiff must prove the following five elements: “(1) a contract or a valid business expectancy; (2) defendant's knowledge of the contract or relationship; (3) intentional interference by the defendant inducing or causing a breach of the contract or relationship; (4) absence of justification; and (5) damages resulting from defendant's conduct.”

The Court concluded that the fourth element requires a showing of “improper means” and the plaintiff could not establish any because there was no misappropriation of a trade secret. The civil conspiracy claim died from the same wound. Food for thought.

The Cosgrove Law Group represents individual agents and reps both before and after they make a move to a new B/D or RIA. Retaining counsel before the litigation starts just might help you prevail and prosper.   

Is your RIA's Code of Ethics Adequate?

Being a fiduciary to clients means acting in the client’s best interest and putting their interest before yours and others. Sometimes knowing what is in the client’s best interest can get foggy so establishing certain guidelines can help protect you, your client, and your representatives. 

In accordance with Rule 204A-1 of the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, RIA’s registered with the SEC are required to maintain a written code of ethics that outline the fiduciary duties and standards of conduct of the RIA and its representatives. State registered RIA’s may also be required to develop a code of ethics consistent with state regulations. 

It’s important to keep in mind that in creating a code of ethics, the SEC and various state regulations set minimum requirements.  The following items are required in an RIA’s code of ethics under Rule 204A-1:

• A standard of business conduct which reflects the fiduciary obligations to clients;  
• Provisions requiring all advisers’ and supervised persons’ compliance with applicable federal securities laws;
• Protection of material non-public information of both the adviser’s securities recommendations, and client securities holdings and transactions;
• Periodic reporting and reviewing of access persons’ personal securities transactions and holdings;
• Advisor’s approval before an access person can invest in an IPO or private placement;
• Duty to report violations of the code of ethics;
•  A written acknowledgment that all supervised persons received the code of ethics; and
• Recordkeeping provisions. 

RIAs often set higher standards that work to reinforce the values or business practices of the company.  Rule 204A-1 does not require detailed measures to be included into every code because of the vast differences among advisory firms.  However, the SEC has offered guidance and recommendations on additional best practices that advisors should consider incorporating into its code of ethics.  The following list contains additional safeguards that are commonly implemented by other advisers:

• Prior written approval before access persons can place a personal securities transaction (“pre-clearance”);
• Maintenance of lists of issuers of securities that the advisory firm is analyzing or recommending for client transactions, and prohibitions on personal trading in securities of those issuers;
• Maintenance of “restricted lists” of issuers about which the advisory firm has inside information, and prohibitions on any trading (personal or for clients) in securities of those issuers; 
• “Blackout periods” when client securities trades are being placed or recommendations are being made and access persons are not permitted to place personal securities transactions.
• Reminders that investment opportunities must be offered first to clients before the adviser or its employees may act on them, and procedures to implement this principle.
• Prohibitions or restrictions on “short-swing” trading and market timing.
• Requirements to trade only through certain brokers, or limitations on the number of brokerage accounts permitted;
• Requirements to provide the adviser with duplicate trade confirmations and account statements; and
• Procedures for assigning new securities analyses to employees whose personal holdings do not present apparent conflicts of interest.

Another issue that may be important to include in your code of ethics is provisions concerning gifts and entertainment since giving or receiving gifts between a client and advisor may create the appearance of impropriety.  Gift and entertainment provisions usually contain reporting requirements and a prohibition of accepting gifts over de minimus values, such as $100.

While the above requirements and recommendations generally encompass an advisor’s fiduciary duty as it relates to conflicts of interests, advisors have additional fiduciary duties to clients that should be memorialized in a code of ethics as well.  For example, and what might appear obvious to some, advisors cannot defraud or engage in manipulative practices with a client in any way.  Advisors also have a duty to have a reasonable, independent basis for the investment advice provided to a client and to ensure that investment advice meets the client’s individual objectives, needs, and circumstances.  Advisors are also expected to stay abreast of market conditions.  Clients should be provided with all material information related to their investments or investment strategy and should be adequately informed of the risks associated with those investments.  The depth of the explanation of those risks or strategy depends on the client’s level education and experience.     

The buck doesn’t stop with establishing a written code of ethics, however.  Implementation and enforcement of your code of ethics are just as crucial.  This also includes educating your representatives.  Rule 204A-1 does not mandate specific training procedures but ensuring that your representatives understand their obligations and their fiduciary duties is imperative.  Thus, periodic training with new and existing employees is not only in your best interest, but also the interest of your employees and clients.  Finally, you should annually review your code of ethics to determine if there are any areas of deficiency or whether changes need to be made.

The Syndicate can assist with your firm in the following ways: (1) drafting or establishing a code of ethics; (2) reviewing your current code to assure it complies with applicable state or federal laws; (3) implementing training programs; and (4) analyzing your firm’s implementation procedures to ensure compliance with the codes provisions.