Howsam V Dean Witteer Reynolds Case Study
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
School of Business and Industry
BUL 5321 : Business Law
Attorney John Washington
Chapter 5.1 Case Brief
Howsam v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.
Kristin Leek
Monday, September 27, 2010
Case 5.1: Howsam v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.
Plaintiff and Defendant
The plaintiff is Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., an investment firm. The defendant is Karen Howsam, a former investment client of Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. who between 1986 and 1994 bought interests in four limited partnerships.
Facts
The gateway matter began with Howsam’s claim that the Dean Witter, Inc. misrepresented attributes of interests she bought in four limited partnerships between 1986 and 1994. Howsam’s claim is subject to arbitration and she has decided to use the National Association of Securities Dealers arbitration process which states that no dispute over six years old may be arbitrated. The plaintiff filed with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to appeal the District Court decision that Howsam has the right to arbitrate and determine the applicable statute of limitations. …show more content…
Lower Courts
Dean Witter attempted to file a lawsuit asking the District Court to declare the dispute is more than six years old and ineligible for dispute before the arbitration took place. The District Court declined to enjoin the arbitration granting the arbitrator rights to determine the applicable statute of limitations.
Issue Appealed
The issue for judicial determination is whether application of the NASD time limit provision falls into the scope of the question of arbitrability.
Who Wins?
Dean Witter, Inc. wins with the decision of the Tenth Court of Appeals to reverse the District Court
School of Business and Industry
BUL 5321 : Business Law
Attorney John Washington
Chapter 5.1 Case Brief
Howsam v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.
Kristin Leek
Monday, September 27, 2010
Case 5.1: Howsam v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.
Plaintiff and Defendant
The plaintiff is Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., an investment firm. The defendant is Karen Howsam, a former investment client of Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. who between 1986 and 1994 bought interests in four limited partnerships.
Facts
The gateway matter began with Howsam’s claim that the Dean Witter, Inc. misrepresented attributes of interests she bought in four limited partnerships between 1986 and 1994. Howsam’s claim is subject to arbitration and she has decided to use the National Association of Securities Dealers arbitration process which states that no dispute over six years old may be arbitrated. The plaintiff filed with the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to appeal the District Court decision that Howsam has the right to arbitrate and determine the applicable statute of limitations. …show more content…
Lower Courts
Dean Witter attempted to file a lawsuit asking the District Court to declare the dispute is more than six years old and ineligible for dispute before the arbitration took place. The District Court declined to enjoin the arbitration granting the arbitrator rights to determine the applicable statute of limitations.
Issue Appealed
The issue for judicial determination is whether application of the NASD time limit provision falls into the scope of the question of arbitrability.
Who Wins?
Dean Witter, Inc. wins with the decision of the Tenth Court of Appeals to reverse the District Court