Kelsey Lynne Hotchkiss

Kelsey Hotchkiss is an associate in the firm’s Irvine office and a member of the Litigation Department.   Her practice involves representing clients in federal and state court litigation, particularly in financial matters, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigations and securities actions, and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitrations.

Ms. Hotchkiss is experienced in defending broker/dealers and brokers in industry disputes and securities matters in California state and federal courts and before FINRA Dispute Resolution.  She has served as both lead counsel and secondary counsel on multiple FINRA arbitrations on behalf of both broker-dealers and associated persons, as well as multiple actions involving real estate investment trusts and tenant-in-common interests. Her related experience includes work on cases involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation, and fraud, as well as contract disputes. 

In addition to arbitrations, Ms. Hotchkiss’ FINRA representation includes on-the-record hearings and 8210 requests. She also second-chaired a multiple-party, million-dollar contracts trial involving a famous artist. Ms. Hotchkiss has argued several substantive motions, represented clients at depositions, and handled the daily litigation activities in other complex business litigation cases.

Ms. Hotchkiss clerked with the SEC in Miami and was an intern with FINRA in New York and Boca Raton.  During law school, she also served as a student leader of a legal aid clinic providing services to local communities.