Smart investing can help you plan for the future and provide a foundation of security for you and your family. A good financial advisor can offer advice and set you on the right path. On the other hand, financial professionals also have the power to create a lot of heartache.
Suppose you have experienced a financial loss of at least $100,000 due to a broker or financial advisor who involved you and your money in a questionable scheme. In that case, you are probably more than a little angry. Our securities lawyers serving Alaska may be able to help you seek restitution.Â
At Meyer Wilson Werning, our team has recovered over $350 million for our clients. Our nationwide securities lawyers know how to fight to recover what you’ve lost. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.Â
How Our Attorneys Can Help
If you’ve experienced significant financial losses because you put your trust in the wrong advisor, you may be going through a range of emotions. It isn’t helpful to second-guess yourself or think about decisions you could have made differently.
Now is the time to take action and begin the process of becoming whole again, but you don’t want to go it alone. The first step is to speak to an attorney who works with financial issues, tell them your story, and find out how you can hold your advisor accountable.
Our securities attorneys serving Alaska can help in several ways.
Case Evaluation
We’ll investigate your case and find out what happened before explaining your rights and your options. In some cases, you may be aware of the full extent of your advisor’s misconduct. Whatever they did, chances are we’ve seen it before.Â
Legal Guidance
Throughout the process, you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that your case is in good hands. We’ll help you file a complaint and prevent you from making common errors. We are your advocates throughout the process.Â
ArbitrationÂ
Many of our cases are resolved through arbitration. We can help you file your arbitration claim with an organization such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and we can represent you through the process. Arbitration is less expensive and time-consuming than a court case.
Negotiations
Negotiations are another tool we can use to help you recover your financial losses. We can negotiate on your behalf with the goal of reaching a settlement that covers what you need. Coming to an agreement through negotiations can keep a lawsuit from being necessary.
Affordable Representation
We work on a contingency–fee basis. You owe nothing up front, and we only get paid when we recover money for you. We take our costs out of your final award or settlement, and we factor these costs into the equation.Â
Types of Advisor Misconduct.Â
Misconduct is an overarching term for any illegal, unethical, or negligent action taken by your broker or advisor. It includes things like unauthorized trading or the overconcentration of your funds to benefit themselves.
Our firm deals with many kinds of securities cases. Some of the most common ones we see include:
Churning
Churning is the practice where an advisor executes excessive trades against the client’s best interests in order to boost their own commissions. It is unethical and illegal, and brokers caught engaging in churning face serious consequences.Â
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Registered Investment Advisors hold a fiduciary responsibility. This means they are both legally and ethically obligated to prioritize your best interests, reveal any conflicts, and offer unbiased guidance.
Financial Advisor Negligence
Negligence by a financial advisor occurs when there isn’t necessarily an intent to cause harm, but instead a lack of reasonable care leads to your financial losses. This may include inappropriate advice, poor portfolio management, or failure to disclose risks.Â
Ponzi Schemes
A Ponzi scheme is a type of fraud where returns for initial investors are generated from the contributions of new investors instead of from legitimate profits. Success depends on a steady stream of new investments.
Margin Abuse
Margin abuse happens when borrowed funds in an account are used inappropriately and without your consent. This can result in considerable losses, margin calls, and potential legal consequences for the broker.
Failure to Execute
Failure to execute is when a broker or advisor does not promptly or accurately fulfill your trade order, which can result in financial losses, including missed opportunities. This may be seen as negligence or misconduct if it causes you actual harm.Â
Unauthorized Trading
Unauthorized trading happens when a broker or advisor makes trades in your account without permission. This includes buying or selling securities without your consent or against your orders.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Securities Case?
Your Alaska securities lawyer can calculate the potential damages in your case. Every situation is different, and the money you may be able to recover through settlement or award is dependent on your specific circumstances. Your compensation may include:
- The value of your investment
- Lost interest or dividends
- Your out-of-pocket expenses and losses
- Punitive damages
To better understand what kind of compensation you may be entitled to, speak with an attorney today. The consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose by making the call.Â
Contact a Securities Attorney Serving Alaska
You trusted your investment professionals to have the knowledge and experience to guide you in making some of the most important decisions for you and your family. When that professional engages in misconduct, they put your future at risk.
If a broker or financial advisor has let you down and involved your money in suspicious schemes, our securities attorneys serving Alaska can help. We can hold them accountable for their actions, work to recover your losses, and set you back on the right path.Â
At Meyer Wilson Werning, our team has over 75 years of combined experience, and we’ve assisted thousands of clients. We’re ready to take on the Wall Street machine.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and find out how we can help.Â