Meet Our Expert

John Duval Sr., President

John's 38-year career in the financial services industry includes six years of Merrill Lynch management at the branch and district levels, subsequent securities consulting, asset management, and securities arbitration and litigation. At the District level, in New York City, John managed over 40 ‘Specialists’ who served 700+ brokers and their clients in specific areas as trust, financial planning, insurance, mutual funds, managed money, mortgages, business loans, high net worth, structured products, and risk management. In these areas, John was also responsible for compliance, suitability, and supervision along with the respective branch managers in the District. In addition, he was the District Annuity Specialist. As a FINRA and NFA arbitrator and litigation consultant/expert witness (the latter for both sides), he has reviewed and testified on over 50 different member firms' Written Supervisory Procedures.

John’s retail experience as a broker was primarily in a retirement community where his ‘book’ was over $250,000,000 consisting of around 1,100 clients. He has never had a complaint and his U-4 and U-5 are pristine. He believes he has had no complaints because he understands asset allocation and practiced it, in addition to "knowing his clients".

Since his second retirement from Merrill Lynch in 2001, John has been retained in over 300 cases and testified over 60 times. He has completed NASD mediation training as well as 32 hours of mediation training at the Cardozo School of Law." In addition, he regularly attends his client’s mediation where he offers expertise in case analysis and settlement negotiations. Being an active arbitrator gives him substantial insight.

In addition to providing consulting and expert testimony for securities arbitration cases, John formerly co-managed a fee-only Registered Investment Advisory firm, Duval Asset Management, offering portfolio management and financial planning. In 2007, he was a minority owner of Heterodox, a global-macro hedge fund which is now closed.

On April 9, 2015, John became re-licensed as an IAR through Kelly Associates, RIA, West Palm Beach, Florida.