Financial Advisor Negligence Lawyer in California

Meyer Wilson Werning represents investors in cases involving financial advisor misconduct and negligence. Our attorneys have recovered over $350 million on behalf of thousands of clients.

When financial advisors recommend unsuitable investments, fail to diversify portfolios, or engage in unauthorized trading, their actions can lead to significant monetary harm. 

Our financial advisor negligence lawyers serving California pursue recovery through FINRA arbitration, where most disputes with financial advisors and firms are resolved. Our firm is committed to helping clients hold advisors accountable and recover what they are owed. 

Contact us for a free consultation, and learn how our California securities & investment fraud lawyers assist investors. 

What Constitutes Financial Advisor Negligence?

Financial advisor negligence happens when an advisor fails to meet their professional obligations to act in the best interests of their client, causing avoidable financial portfolio losses and violating the trust placed in the advisor.

Financial advisor negligence plays a role in different investment issues, including:

• Recommending unsuitable investments: Advisors are required to operate with consideration for an individual client’s financial goals, risk tolerance, and overall circumstances. Recommending investments that don’t align with these factors can lead to unnecessary losses.
• Failing to disclose risks or provide adequate information: Clients rely on advisors for full transparency. Withholding important details or failing to explain risks is a breach of their responsibility.
• Neglecting the duty to diversify: Over-concentrating investments in a single asset, sector, or type of investment increases unnecessary risk and violates fundamental investing principles.
• Engaging in unauthorized or excessive trading: Making trades without client approval or excessive trading to generate commissions, known as churning, is a form of misconduct.

Clients who suspect negligence from their financial advisor may have grounds to pursue a claim. Meyer Wilson Werning’s team of California financial advisor negligence attorneys is prepared to evaluate your situation and help you seek recovery for losses. 

The Impact of Financial Advisor Negligence on Investors

Financial advisor negligence can have lasting consequences on an investor’s financial well-being. Poor advice or misconduct can derail carefully planned financial goals. A compromised financial portfolio can cause long-term setbacks, including delayed retirement, reduced savings, or the inability to fund major life events like a child’s education.

Beyond financial portfolio harm, advisor negligence also erodes trust with their clients. Many investors rely on their advisors to guide them through high-stakes financial decisions. When that trust is broken, it can leave individuals feeling vulnerable and hesitant to seek professional advice in the future.

Meyer Wilson Werning helps investors recover and move forward after damaging financial advisor negligence. Fraudulent schemes, such as a pump and dump or crypto scam, may warrant a claim.

If your losses did not involve negligence or misconduct by a financial professional, it’s unlikely that our securities lawyers will be able to assist with your case, though. 

How Our California Financial Advisor Negligence Attorneys Pursue Recovery

Our team begins with a comprehensive review of clients’ financial losses. We may gather account statements, emails, and other communications to identify signs of misconduct, such as unauthorized trades, unsuitable investment recommendations, or excessive trading.

We work with financial experts to analyze trading activity and assess whether your advisor’s actions violated industry standards or their fiduciary duty. Once we’ve built a strong case, we file claims through FINRA arbitration, the process where most disputes with financial advisors and firms are resolved.

During evidentiary hearings, we advocate for fair compensation by demonstrating how an advisor’s negligence affected your financial future. 

Why Choose Our Financial Advisor Negligence Lawyers?

Meyer Wilson Werning has recovered over $350 million for thousands of clients in cases involving financial advisor misconduct and negligence, demonstrating our commitment to achieving results for those we represent. 

When you hire our financial advisor negligence attorney in California, you benefit from:

• Decades of experience: With over 75 years of combined experience, our attorneys focus exclusively on investment misconduct and financial advisor negligence, giving us the insight needed to handle these cases effectively.
• National leadership in investor advocacy: Founding partner David Meyer has led three bar associations as president, including PIABA, where he worked directly with the SEC, FINRA, and policymakers to strengthen investor protections.
• Individualized representation: By taking on a limited number of cases, we dedicate the necessary time and resources to pursue the strongest possible outcome for each client.

Our attorneys also handle cases on a contingency basis. You don’t pay anything up front to retain our services. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you and advance expenses in most cases.

What Is FINRA Arbitration and Why Does It Matter?

Most investor agreements with financial advisors include arbitration clauses, meaning disputes must be resolved through arbitration rather than in court. As a result, court actions or jury trials are rarely an option in these cases.

While arbitration is not confidential, the process is not open to the public, and evidentiary hearings take place in a private setting. Arbitration is also often faster than going through the court system, helping investors resolve matters more quickly.

The FINRA Arbitration Process

During FINRA arbitration, both sides present their case to a panel of one to three arbitrators. Hearings usually proceed with the following:

• Both parties give opening statements.
• Parties introduce evidence and examine or cross-examine witnesses.
• Legal arguments are presented, followed by closing statements.

The arbitrators then issue a binding decision, similar to a jury verdict, which cannot typically be successfully appealed under most circumstances.

At Meyer Wilson Werning, we prepare every case thoroughly by reviewing evidence, consulting with experts, and presenting a strong case during arbitration hearings. 

Our experience in FINRA arbitration has helped investors recover damages caused by financial advisor negligence or misconduct.

Take Action With Our Financial Advisor Negligence Attorney in California

Clients who suspect financial advisor negligence or misconduct deserve experienced legal representation. Meyer Wilson Werning has the experience and resources to guide you through the FINRA arbitration process and fight for recovery.

Contact our firm to take action, beginning with a complimentary consultation.