Having a reputable broker does not necessarily keep you safe from investment fraud. Even well-known financial professionals may act improperly, prioritizing their interests over those of their clients, or by acting in a manner that falls below the standard of conduct in the securities industry.
Investors should remain vigilant for potential red flags, such as unauthorized trading, excessive fees, or unsuitable investment recommendations. Legal claims for investment losses against financial institutions are typically limited to situations where a broker or financial advisor was directly involved in the investment decision or account management.
An investment fraud lawyer can assist individuals who suspect their broker’s conduct caused financial losses.
Could There Be a Situation When I Could Be the Victim of a Scam and Need the Help of an Investment Fraud Attorney?
Unfortunately, working with a reputable, well-known firm does not eliminate your risk of being the victim of an investment scam. There may be some additional checks in place that might lower your risk if you work with a large, well-known firm rather than an independent or lesser-known advisor or firm.
A simple internet search will reveal that even large, well-known firms have faced regulatory enforcement actions and civil claims involving broker misconduct.
If you are the victim of an investment scam with a large, well-known firm, contact an investment fraud attorney as soon as possible. The firm will typically defend itself with sophisticated legal counsel well-versed in securities laws. An experienced attorney on your side can level the playing field and can help you preserve evidence, get answers to your questions, and pursue recovery for your investment losses.
We Have Recovered Over
$350 Million for Our Clients Nationwide.
What Types of Investment Fraud Cases Can Lawyers Help With?
Meyer Wilson Werning assists individuals who have experienced significant financial losses due to misconduct by financial advisors or brokers.
If a broker or advisor was involved in placing you into a fraudulent scheme, such as a pump-and-dump or unsuitable investment, you may have options for recovering your losses.
Unfortunately, if your investment did not involve a broker or advisor, our attorneys typically cannot assist with your case. Below are some of the types of broker misconduct cases we handle.
Misrepresentation and Omissions
Misrepresentation occurs when advisors give false or misleading details, while omissions involve withholding critical facts that could have influenced your decision.
If you invested based on incomplete or inaccurate information, we can evaluate your situation and determine whether misconduct occurred.
Unsuitable Investment Recommendations
Your financial advisor should consider your financial goals, risk tolerance, and overall portfolio when recommending investments. If they pushed high-risk or inappropriate investments that were not aligned with your needs, it may have caused significant financial harm.
Our attorneys can assess whether their recommendations violated industry standards and pursue recovery on your behalf.
Churning
Churning is the practice of excessive trading in an account to generate commissions for the broker, often at the expense of the investor. This unethical behavior can deplete your portfolio’s value and is often difficult to detect without a detailed review of account activity.
If you suspect churning has occurred, we can analyze your account and take action against the responsible broker.
Ponzi Schemes
In Ponzi schemes, operators use funds from new investors to pay returns to earlier participants, giving the appearance of a legitimate and profitable investment.
These schemes ultimately collapse, leaving many investors with substantial losses. If a broker or advisor directed you into a Ponzi scheme, we can help you seek recovery for your losses.
Overconcentration
Proper diversification is essential to managing investment risk. Overconcentration happens when an advisor places too much of your portfolio into a single asset, sector, or industry, leaving you vulnerable to significant losses.
If your portfolio lacked proper diversification due to your advisor’s actions, we can determine whether negligence played a role in your losses.
Unauthorized Trading
Brokers are required to obtain your authorization before making trades in your account. Unauthorized trading violates your rights as an investor and can result in financial harm.
If trades were placed in your account without your consent, we can help hold the broker accountable for their actions.
Failure to Supervise
Brokerage firms should monitor their employees to ensure compliance with industry regulations and ethical practices.
When firms fail to supervise their brokers adequately, misconduct such as unauthorized trading, churning, or unsuitable recommendations can occur.
Why Choose Our Investment Fraud Lawyers?
We have recovered over $350 million for thousands of clients across the country. With more than 75 years of combined experience, our attorneys have successfully handled even the most high-value broker misconduct cases.
Investors facing significant losses choose our lawyers for our results, experience, and dedication to their cases.
Resources to Take on Major Financial Institutions
With seven attorneys and a large support team, our firm has the resources and firepower to stand up to powerful brokerage firms, financial advisors, and investment companies.
Many smaller law firms lack the infrastructure to handle high-stakes cases, but we are fully equipped to level the playing field for investors.
Focused, Client-Centered Approach
Unlike firms that take on a high volume of cases, we purposefully limit the number of investor claims we accept. Our low client-to-lawyer ratio allows us to dedicate the time and attention necessary to build strong cases and provide personalized support.
Additionally, we use advanced technology to streamline the legal process, reducing the burden on clients while improving efficiency.
Contingency Fee Representation
We handle broker misconduct cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing up front. You only pay if we win your case and recover your losses. We also advance most case-related expenses.
Trial-Ready Preparation
From day one, we prepare every case with the expectation that it may proceed through a final arbitration hearing. This thorough preparation strengthens our position during negotiations and increases the likelihood of achieving favorable settlements.
Keep in mind that FINRA arbitration remains the primary forum for customer disputes pursuant to most brokerage agreements. Decisions are generally final and binding, and proceedings are private but not confidential.
Nationally Recognized Leadership
David Meyer, the firm’s founding partner, is a leader in the field of investment fraud law. He has served as president of three bar associations, including the Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA).
He worked with policymakers and regulators like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to strengthen investor protections.
Our lawyers are nationwide leaders in investment fraud cases.
Call Meyer Wilson Werning for Help From Our Investment Fraud Attorneys
If you’ve suffered investment losses exceeding $100,000 due to the misconduct of a broker or financial advisor, our investment fraud attorneys are here to help.
Since 1999, we have recovered over $350 million for clients nationwide. Recognized by U.S. News as being among The Best Lawyers in America®, our experienced trial attorneys are prepared to investigate your claim and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Contact our firm to schedule a free consultation.
Recovering Losses Caused by Investment Misconduct.