TWELVE REASONS FOR RETAINING Betts, Hull & Klodowski TO PURSUE YOUR CLAIMS FOR INVESTMENT-RELATED LOSSES:

1. We know the substantive law. Like most areas of the law these days, it is impossible for lawyers who are inexperienced in securities litigation, or who are trying to "dabble in" this field because they have recently decided that this may present a new opportunity for their firm to function effectively or even competently. Through our experience in handling securities litigation matters, we are familiar with the extensive body of law - state and federal statutes, state and federal case law, SEC and NASD disciplinary proceedings, arbitration decisions - that applies to securities claims. In addition, we have all of this law in our heads or at our fingertips, as we subscribe to online legal research databases that specifically relate to the field of securities law. We are able to perform searches within these databases to identify all laws and precedents that may apply to a particular situation and to compile cases and arbitration proceedings that have involved fact patterns and issues similar to the situations presented by our clients.
    
2. We know the procedural law. Most securities claims are subject to industry (NASD or NYSE) arbitration, which has its own unique rules and procedures. To say the least, the arbitration process is much different than the process involved in pursuing a claim through the court system, and different strategies come into play. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for a lawyer who is not experienced with the securities arbitration process to completely represent a client in connection with preparing the documents necessary to commence an arbitration claim, selecting the arbitration panel, conducting discovery and other pre-hearing investigation, maximizing the settlement value of the case, and effectively presenting the case at the arbitration hearing.
    
3. Michael J. Betts is a member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association (PIABA). PIABA is national bar association whose member attorneys are dedicated to the representation of investors in disputes with the securities industry. Through PIABA, Betts, Hull & Klodowski has access to a wealth of information that has been compiled by PIABA related to many topics, including the substantive law of securities litigation, arbitration awards in other cases, expert witnesses, and information regarding brokerage firms and individual brokers and advisors.
    
4. Our experience and knowledge of the law enables us to provide you with a competent and objective evaluation of your claims. We provide prospective clients with free consultations and evaluations of their claims. Typically, this will involve a series of steps: an initial telephone interview, our review of account statements and other records, and an in-person interview. Because of the complexities involved, we are often able to identify potential claims that are not apparent to prospective clients when they initially call us. Our case evaluations are honest, direct and objective. If you have a claim that we believe would be worthwhile to pursue, we will advise you regarding the nature of your claims, the defenses that we anticipate the opposing party will attempt to raise, and the prospects for recovery. If we do not believe that you have a viable claim, we will tell you so and explain why we believe that to be the case.
    
5. We have the tools available to us to analyze securities claims. In order to successfully represent clients in securities litigation matters, a law firm and its lawyers must have access to computer programs and other tools to assist in the evaluation of cases. In addition to the online legal research databases described above, we are knowledgeable about the analyses that need to be done in many cases in order to determine whether a claim exists and, if so, to calculate the range of a likely award of damages.
    
6. You will not incur any attorneys' fees unless we obtain a recovery. Most of our clients prefer to have their matters handled on a contingent fee basis - in other words, their payment of legal fees is contingent upon the receipt of a monetary recovery through a verdict, arbitration award or settlement payment. Although you may incur certain expenses in pursuing a claim - such as the filing fee charged to commence arbitration proceeding - these fees may be recoverable in arbitration or through settlement.
    
7. We handle only a manageable number of cases. We do not employ an "assembly line" approach in our practice. We limit the number of cases we are handling at any given time to a manageable number, so that we are able to give the proper amount of attention to every case and client. You, in turn, can be assured that if we take your case it will receive the thorough and diligent treatment that it deserves. Michael J. Betts, the principle of Betts, Hull & Klodowski, is "hands on" - that is, Mr. Betts is intimately involved in every matter that is handled by the firm.
    
8. We pursue cases aggressively and diligently, and we do not let the matters we handle languish. Because we handle only a manageable number of cases and we are able to give each case we handle the time and attention it deserves, we are able to move cases through the judicial or arbitration process as quickly as is reasonably possible. To be sure, it is often the case that "the wheels of justice turn slowly" and sometimes delays are beyond our control, but we pledge to our clients that we will do everything in our power to pursue our clients' claims diligently and to bring them to a resolution as promptly as the process allows.
    
9. We keeping our clients fully informed. We promptly report to our clients anything and everything of significance that occurs in a case, when it happens and as soon as it happens (indeed, sometimes before it happens). In addition, we provide our clients with copies of all filings and correspondence without delay and without exception. We return all telephone calls from clients promptly, almost always on the same day that the call has been received.
    
10. We retain the right experts. In certain cases we handle, it is desirable to retain an expert in the securities industry to assist with the case and, if necessary, to testify at the trial or arbitration hearing. An effective expert witness can have a very significant impact on the outcome of a case. We have, and have access to, extensive information regarding individuals who are knowledgeable about specific issues and who are effective presenting expert testimony to courts and arbitration panels.
     
11. We maximize the settlement value of the cases we handle. As we explain below, we are equipped to take cases to trial. In fact, we enjoy trying cases. The reality, however, is that most cases settle before proceeding to trial or hearing and it is often in the client's best interests to accept a settlement offer that has been placed on the table by the opposing side. Thus, one of the most important attributes of an effective securities litigator is knowing how to maximize the settlement value of a case. There are a number of ways that this can be done, and our track record reflects that we know how to do it.
     
12. We will effectively present your case at trial or hearing, in the absence of a settlement. Michael J. Betts, the principal of Betts, Hull & Klodowski, has tried numerous cases in various federal and state courts and before arbitration panels. We assume that every case we handle will proceed to a trial or an arbitration hearing, and we prepare the case accordingly. If a trial or hearing becomes necessary, we will zealously represent you in court or before the arbitration panel and work toward achieving the best possible outcome.