Sara Hanley focuses her practice on representing investors nationwide who have lost their savings and retirement funds as a result of their brokerage accounts being mishandled. Attorney Hanley is the founder of Hanley Law which focuses exclusively on representing investors in claims against their brokers, broker dealers, investment advisors, financial advisors and insurance companies. Ms. Hanley is experienced in providing representation for investors who have been the victims of financial fraud, negligence and unsuitable investments. Attorney Hanley has experience in prosecuting claims against the major Wall Street brokerage firms.
Ms. Hanley has litigated several national securities related class action lawsuits. Recently, Ms. Hanley represented a group of foreign investors in an action against Raymond James which arose from the mismanagement and transfer of funds and margin loans among accounts resulting in a class action settlement of $150 million dollars. Ms. Hanley represented class members in the United States District Court Southern District of Florida in a class action against Newbridge Securities which resulted in a substantial settlement. Ms. Hanley also represented national class members in securities class action litigation against Raymond James before the United States District Court Southern District of Florida which resulted in a $15 million dollar class action settlement. Ms. Hanley has represented thousands of investors in securities arbitration and litigation. Attorney Hanley is duly licensed to practice law in both Florida and North Carolina and represents clients in FINRA arbitrations nationwide.
Ms. Hanley graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and attended law school at Nova Southeastern University where she received an academic scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Ms. Hanley is a member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (“PIABA”) where she serves as the 2020 Editor-in-Chief of the national PIABA Bar Journal. Ms. Hanley also serves as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). Ms. Hanley is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the United States District Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Attorney Hanley has been featured in various publications including Bloomberg Business, Financial and Economic News, Investment News, Lawyers Weekly and various law journals. Throughout her legal career Ms. Hanley has dedicated numerous hours to the community by working on both political campaigns, as well as, providing legal services to non-profit organizations.
2
Practice Areas
19 years | 500 cases
25%-40%
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withState: Florida
Acquired: 2013
No misconduct found
State: North Carolina
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
2000 Center Drive, Suite East C218, Hoffman Estates, IL, 60192
Showing 1 - 5 of 23 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | October 18, 2021 | Hired Attorney
DO NOT mistake Sara Hanley's mild manner for weakness. A thorough researcher who combs through every document, she is a force to be reckoned with whose tenacity won my case. Other lawyers dismissed my case for being too iffy, but Sara saw promise where others saw too much risk. She is professional...
Posted by anonymous | January 15, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Sara Hanley is a very fine lawyer: she is knowledgeable and diligent, responds promptly to phone and email messages, and cares about her clients. My case had some problems, but Sara obtained a prompt and satisfactory resolution. I highly recommend her.
Posted by Catherine | July 2, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Sara is a very professional, knowledgeable and personable attorney. She thoroughly prepared me for the legal process and was realistic in how to negotiate my case which resulted in a successful outcome on my behalf. I highly recommend Sara to anyone in need of her services.
Posted by Gary | November 2, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Since joining this case Sara and her team have kept things moving as fast as the courts would allow. The case ended satisfactorily for us, so we cannot do anything than thank her wholeheartedly for her efforts.
Posted by Lawrence | May 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney
My wife and I regard Ms. Hanley as an ideal lawyer. In all of our dealings with her she has been completely open and patient with us and has always demonstrated that she was intimately familiar with the details of our case, and she proved adept in her grasp of legal details.. We cannot imagine h...
"I have worked on several matters with Sara. She is an exceptional attorney. She works tirelessly and achieves great results for her clients."
Securities and investment fraud lawyer | Jan 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known Sara for several years. She is very knowledgeable about securities and investment fraud matters. Sara is a zealous proponent for her clients and considered by many defense lawyers as an aggressive advocate fighting for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer as she is very knowledgeable in Family law, securities and civil litigation."
Securities and investment fraud lawyer | Jul 29
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Sara is an experienced and knowledgeable attorney and a great advocate for investor rights."
Securities and investment fraud lawyer | Jul 29
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Sara has an outstanding reputation as a securities attorney who vigilantly represents the rights of investors. Sara has a long track record of delivering amazing results on even the most difficult of cases. I endorse this lawyer."
Business lawyer
Securities and investment fraud lawyer
Securities and investment fraud lawyer
Insurance lawyer
Securities and investment fraud lawyer
2021
2021 Attorney of the Year, Top 100 Registry Business Leaders & Professionals
2020
Outstanding Service Award, Public Investors Advocate Bar Association
2015
Clients' Choice Award, Avvo
2017 - Present
Attorney, Hanley Law
2017 - 2018
Of Counsel, Woodward, Pires and Lombardo, P.A.
2007 - 2017
Partner, Law Offices of Place & Hanley, LLC
2006 - 2006
Intern, Judge Susan Greenhawt
2006 - 2008
Law Clerk and Associate Attorney, Scott J. Brook, PA
2004 - 2006
Law Clerk, Law Offices of Lemoine and Riordan
2003 - 2004
Assistant Forensic Accountant, Blum & Silver, LLP
2021 - Present
Public Investors Advocate Bar AssociationDiversity Committee Chair
2021 - Present
United States Court of Appeals Ninth CircuitMember
2020 - Present
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Law Pro Bono PartnerMember
2018 - Present
PIABA Bar JournalEditorial Board
2017 - Present
Collier County Bar AssociationMember
2016 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh CircuitMember
2015 - Present
United States District Court for the Middle District of FloridaMember
2015 - Present
Financial Industry Regulatory Association ("FINRA")Arbitrator
2015 - Present
National Futures Association ("NFA")Arbitrator
2015 - Present
Collier County Women's Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Florida Association for Women LawyersMember
2013 - Present
United States District Court for the Southern District of FloridaMember
2013 - Present
Florida BarMember
2013 - Present
Public Investors Arbitration Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
North Carolina BarMember
2020 - 2021
Public Investors Arbitration Bar AssociationEditor-in-Chief PIABA Bar Jounral
2019 - 2020
Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association Bar JournalManaging Editor
$8,000,000 settlement
$15,000,000 settlement
FINRA Award
Class Action Settlement
FINRA Award
Respondents are jointly and severally liable and shall pay to Claimant compensatory damages in the amount of $125,000.
Final Order and Judgment Approving Class Action Settlement
Claimant was awarded compensatory damages of $157,950 and Respondent was further ordered to pay Claimant $5,100 in discovery sanctions.
Claimant was awarded compensatory damages of $150,000.
Claimant was awarded compensatory damages of $248,874.41 plus pre-judgement interest.
Claimants were awarded compensatory damages of $100,000, punitive damages of $40,000 and Claimants received an award of Attorneys' Fees and Sanctions against Respondents.
2007
Juris Doctor
2003
Bachelor of Arts
2022
Securities Arbitration Practitioners Guest Speaker
2020
2008
Women and Divorce
2022
2021
2021
2021
2021
2020
2020
2020
2020
2020
2019
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2015
2013
2013
2012
2009
2009
2009
English
Spanish
Legal Answers
Legal Guides