Blue Gray Corporations I & II v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.

FAY, Circuit Judge:

Defendant-appellant Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., appeals a district court order denying its motion to compel arbitration of claims arising under federal securities laws, filed by plaintiffs-appellees Blue Gray Corporations I & II and First Sunset Corporation. Plaintiffs cross-appeal the district court’s order, which compelled arbitration of plaintiffs’ state law claims against defendant. We hold that the plain language of the arbitration agreement provided plaintiffs the right to litigate federal securities law claims, and that the arbitration agreement…