Spotlight

Cornell Securities Law Clinic student Seth Nadler '10 has argued an appeal on behalf of the Clinic before the California Court of Appeal.

The case, Parada v. Monex, involved a challenge by an investor in precious metals to an arbitration clause requiring the investor to arbitrate at JAMS, Inc., a private dispute resolution provider.  The investor asserted that JAMS was so expensive as to render the arbitration agreement unconsionable.

The Securities Law Clinic filed an amicus brief, in support of the investor's position.  The Court granted the Clinic's request to file the brief and to present oral argument in support of the Clinic's position.

The oral argument was held on May 21, 2009.  Nadler argued the appeal for the clinic.

“The judges gave Seth the hardest time of all parties and he kept his cool and dealt with the questions while keeping view of the big picture,” says Steve Buchwalter, a lawyer from California who also attended the proceedings. “The judges gave him plenty of times to put his foot in his mouth, but Seth would have nothing of it.”

Nadler was very pleased with the experience. “Clinics allow students to integrate and apply the concepts and theories we study in our classes to clients with real problems,” he says. “It is highly rewarding to see these subjects that we previously encountered only in an academic setting come alive and greatly assist those in need.”

A decision is expected in August 2009.