New York, NY securities attorney Jenice L. Malecki talks about the duration of FINRA and SEC investigations. She mentions that investigations, whether federal, state, or regulatory, often run concurrently because all three authorities can have parallel jurisdiction. These proceedings tend to be lengthy, and many clients she has represented frequently ask why a resolution cannot be reached sooner. The answer lies in the highly structured administrative process: an investigation begins with staff, moves up to a manager, then to a regional manager, and ultimately reaches a committee in Washington, D.C., which must authorize the pursuit of the matter. Any changes or recommendations then travel back down the chain, extending the timeline. While she empathizes with clients’ frustration—recognizing that justice delayed can feel like justice denied—she emphasizes that these agencies are often understaffed and bound by stringent internal procedures, which inevitably prolong investigations despite efforts to expedite them.