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.
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19 years | 500 cases
25%-40%
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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
23 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Harry | November 18, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Financial Markets and Services
Job well done!!
Sara Hanley provided good counsel and excellent communication throughout the FINRA process. While the outcome was not necessarily as desired, she shared professional rationale and advice. I believe she worked very hard trying to find all the supporting facts to strengthen our position. Throughout...
Posted by Rick | September 30, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Securities & Investment Fraud
Sara Hanley's representation
Sara just completed handling the second of two cases for me dealing with investment fraud. From the very beginning, she was extremely professional, helpful and thorough in handling my cases. I am very pleased with my experience in working with her, and highly recommend her services to anyone consid...
Posted by Charles & Mary | August 05, 2015 | Arbitration
Attorney Ms. Saras E. Hanley, ESQ
We would like to take this opportunity to commend Ms. Sara E. Hanley with The Law Firm of Place & Hanley, LLC, 1415 Panther Lane, Naples, FL. 34109 regarding the way she handled The Arbitration Case we filed regarding the mishandling of our Investment Accounts. We have had contact with several diffe...
Posted by George | November 17, 2014 | Securities & Investment Fraud
Investment Loss Claim
She represented us on a contingency basis regarding an investment loss in which we were sold a product that turned out to be a Ponzi Scheme. She was able to recover about 40% of the loss before fees. I think she provided us with good advise. We were well satisfied with her as our attorney.
Posted by Ed | November 16, 2014 | Mediation
Excellent experience
I highly recommend the firm of Place &Hanley. Sara Hanley is very professional, sincere, and experienced and very realistic in assessing the merits or shortcomings of your case. My wife and I are satisfied with the mediation results against our former financial advisor employed by a nationally...
"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."
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Securities and investment fraud lawyer
Securities and investment fraud lawyer
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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.
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2020
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