Schuyler Roche, P.C.

Recently we asked newly named partner Steven Pherson, a longtime member of Schuyler Roche’s Business Litigation practice group, to cite his most current achievements. Top on his list was an invitation in 2004 to join the Board of Directors of the National Introducing Brokers Association (NIBA), whose August 2005 board meeting he hosted at Schuyler Roche. Appointed by Board Chair Melinda Schramm, Steve says he was humbled by the invitation, but grateful for the opportunity to serve an organization in an industry that has been instrumental in advancing his own career.

NIBA is one of the nation’s most prominent advocacy groups in the futures and options industry. While its primary mission is to represent and advance the interests of the introducing broker community, NIBA also promotes the interests of all industry professionals, including futures commission merchants, commodity trading advisors and other industry players. Steve, who worked in New York and Chicago as a floor broker and trader for ten years before earning his law degree, also served on the Floor Committee of the New York Futures Exchange, helping to enforce rules intended to ensure a level playing field. This experience has served him well at Schuyler Roche, where he counsels individuals and companies in the securities and commodities industry.

“As a member of NIBA’s board,” he says, “I provide pro bono legal counsel, which I consider a privilege, the chance to repay this organization for the networking and continuing education opportunities I have benefited from over the years.”

In November 2005 Steve was able to reciprocate in an equally productive way when he participated in the Thirteenth Annual NIBA Conference as one of five speakers on a panel entitled “Practical Problems of Running Your Business.” Steve and his fellow panelists discussed issues affecting small business owners, including health insurance options, tax considerations, and regulation, compliance and restrictive covenants. The roundtable of experts sought to pose viable solutions to the problems small businesses face.

The 2005 conference took place on November 11 and 12 at Chicago's Hotel 71. As board members collaborate to ensure another successful event, Steve encourages participants in the futures and options industry to contact NIBA early next autumn to learn and reserve the dates for the 2006 conference.