Meyer Wilson Werning represents clients across Georgia who have experienced financial losses due to broker misconduct.
With over $350 million recovered for clients and more than 75 years of combined experience, we have the resources and knowledge to handle even the most challenging cases. Our team of attorneys handles cases involving unauthorized trading, unsuitable investments, excessive fees, and other forms of advisor misconduct.
Our Georgia investment fraud lawyers work to hold brokers and financial advisors accountable for misconduct that causes harm to investors. Contact Meyer Wilson Werning today for a free consultation.
Signs of Potential Broker Misconduct
Financial regulatory bodies enforce rules and standards to ensure that financial professionals act in their clients’ best interests. For example, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) oversee financial advisors and brokers to protect investors from misconduct.
An investment fraud lawyer from our firm can review your case and determine whether your broker or financial advisor violated any laws or regulations.
Unexplained or Rapid Trading Activity
FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability) requires brokers to make investment recommendations that align with a client’s investment profile, including their financial goals and risk tolerance.
Excessive trading, or “churning,” occurs when a financial advisor engages in frequent, unnecessary trades to generate commissions, rather than acting in the client’s interests.
Investment Strategies At Odds With Your Risk Tolerance
Investments that don’t pair well with your established risk tolerance or financial goals signal broker misconduct. The advisor may have made unsuitable recommendations that risked losses.
This is another violation of FINRA Rule 2111 and could also breach fiduciary duties under state laws, which require financial advisors to act with care and loyalty when managing clients’ investments.
Lack of Transparency About Fees or Strategies
Brokers are legally required to be open and honest about fees, commissions, and investment strategies when working with clients. Brokers who omit or misrepresent these aspects of an agreement breach SEC Rule 10b-5, which prohibits false statements and deceptive practices in securities transactions.
Advisors who fail to provide clear and honest information are failing in their duty to act in their clients’ best interests.
Pressure to Invest in High-Risk or Unapproved Products
Pushing clients into risky or unfamiliar investments, particularly those not approved by the advisor’s firm, is a serious red flag. This practice, known as “selling away,” bypasses the firm’s compliance protocols and violates FINRA Rule 3280 (Private Securities Transactions of an Associated Person).
Selling away exposes clients to unnecessary risks without the oversight designed to protect them.
Missing Account Statements or Discrepancies
If account statements are missing or show transactions you didn’t approve, it could indicate unauthorized trading or other forms of misconduct. Financial professionals are required to maintain accurate and complete records under SEC Rule 17a-3 and FINRA Rule 4511- Books and Records Requirements.
Discrepancies or missing documents are often a sign that something is wrong. Our lawyers can determine whether your financial advisor violated these regulations and caused financial harm.
How Our Georgia Broker Misconduct Attorneys Can Assist You
Meyer Wilson Werning helps investors recover losses caused by broker misconduct. Our team of attorneys can carefully evaluate your case and take the necessary steps to pursue recovery.
Our broker misconduct attorneys in Georgia assist clients by:
- Reviewing account activity and investment documents: We analyze your account statements, trade history, and related documents to uncover evidence of misconduct, such as unsuitable investments, unauthorized transactions, or excessive trading.
- Investigating the broker or firm’s actions: We look into the broker’s regulatory history, prior complaints, and whether the firm provided proper oversight to determine where violations occurred.
- Filing claims through FINRA arbitration or litigation: We pursue your case in FINRA arbitration, the primary forum for resolving broker disputes, and are prepared to litigate if necessary to recover your losses.
We handle cases on a contingency basis, and we advance expenses in most cases. We also utilize the latest technology and digital tools at every stage of the legal process, from fact-gathering to presenting your case at trial or arbitration.
Our Georgia Broker Misconduct Lawyers Help With the FINRA Arbitration Process
Broker misconduct claims are often resolved through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration process. FINRA arbitration is the primary method for handling disputes between investors and brokers or brokerage firms, offering a faster and more streamlined alternative to traditional court proceedings.
After submitting a statement of claim to FINRA, we handle the entire arbitration process and fight for your best interests by:
- Responding to defenses: Once the claim is filed, the broker or firm may respond with defenses. We prepare carefully to address these responses and protect your interests.
- Presenting evidence to a panel of arbitrators: Both sides present their case to an independent panel of arbitrators. Evidence such as account records, investment documents, and communications with the broker or firm is thoroughly reviewed.
- Seeking a decision to recover losses: After reviewing evidence of misconduct and hearing the arguments, the arbitrators issue a binding decision. If the decision is in your favor, you may receive compensation for your losses.
At Meyer Wilson Werning, we have the firepower and resources to level the playing field against the Wall Street machine. With seven attorneys and a large legal support team, we are equipped to handle large, complex cases.
In addition, our extensive experience handling FINRA arbitration ensures that we are well-prepared to guide you through the process, build a strong case, and pursue recovery for your losses.
Call Meyer Wilson Werning for Help From Our Broker Misconduct Attorneys
Financial losses caused by broker misconduct can be devastating, but you have options. Meyer Wilson Werning is ready to help you recover your losses and hold your broker or financial advisor accountable.
Financial losses caused by broker or advisor involvement in schemes like pump-and-dump or crypto fraud can leave you uncertain about how to recover your money. However, if no broker or advisor or brokerage firm was involved, it’s unlikely we can assist with your case.
Contact us today for a free consultation and let us assist you in pursuing compensation.
