When you invest your savings, you expect your financial advisor or broker to act honestly and in your best interest. Unfortunately, mistakes, negligence, or misconduct can put your money at risk, especially if you are relying on it for retirement. A Santa Clarita securities lawyer can help you understand your rights.
If a financial advisor or firm’s errors or misconduct caused you to lose more than $100,000, we can help you pursue recovery. Since 1999, our team has helped clients reclaim over $350 million in losses. Let our California securities lawyers help you, like we have helped so many others.
If a financial advisor’s actions caused you to lose money through a fraudulent scheme (such as a pump-and-dump, cryptocurrency scam, or similar securities fraud), you’re likely feeling frustrated and concerned about how to regain what you’ve lost. At Meyer Wilson Werning, we focus only on cases where a licensed advisor or broker was responsible for the losses.
Santa Clarita Securities Attorneys Offer Quality Legal Representation
One of the things that sets us apart is our focus on quality over quantity. While we have a large team of experienced attorneys and support staff, our securities lawyers intentionally take on a limited number of investor claims cases. This allows us to maintain a low client-to-lawyer ratio, giving each case the attention it deserves.
Unlike firms that handle a high volume of claims, we dedicate the time and resources needed to thoroughly investigate, prepare, and present your case. By not spreading ourselves too thin, our securities fraud lawyers serving Santa Clarita can build the strongest possible case.
We Have Recovered Over
$350 Million for Our Clients Nationwide.
How to Spot the Signs of Securities Misconduct
For many investors, identifying signs of securities fraud can be challenging, especially as you plan for retirement or rely on your savings for long-term security. Financial advisors often appear professional, trustworthy, and knowledgeable, which can make warning signs hard to detect.
Misconduct or negligence doesn’t always happen in obvious ways; it can occur quietly, behind the scenes, and over time. Complicated financial products and industry jargon can also make it difficult to understand whether your securities transactions are appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance.
Because these issues can be subtle, losses may accumulate before you realize there’s a problem. That’s why you should work with our experienced securities attorney serving Santa Clarita. We can help you review your accounts and spot potential misconduct.
High Fees or Excessive Trading
Churning fraud occurs when an advisor frequently buys and sells securities in your account to generate commissions, rather than to benefit your securities strategy. This practice can steadily erode your returns over time, increase costs, and put your financial goals at risk. It is considered a breach of the broker’s duty to act in your best interest.
Pressure to Invest in Risky or Unsuitable Securities
Some advisors may push clients toward securities that carry high risk or do not align with their financial situation. This can include products that are too volatile for your age, risk tolerance, or long-term goals. Advisors are legally required to make recommendations that are suitable for your circumstances, so pressure to take unnecessary risks may be a sign of misconduct.
Missing or Altered Documents
If you have difficulty accessing account statements, notice inconsistencies, or see changes in your paperwork without explanation, it could indicate tampering or attempts to conceal wrongdoing. Keeping accurate records is critical, and any missing or altered documents can be a warning sign of fraudulent activity.
Ignoring Your Instructions
Your advisor has a duty to follow your directions regarding trades, account management, or securities decisions. When they fail to do so or act contrary to your stated wishes, it may indicate negligence, misconduct, or a breach of fiduciary duty, putting your financial security at risk.
Types of Securities Cases We Handle
Securities misconduct can appear in a variety of ways, all of which put your securities and financial future at risk. It is not limited to obvious fraud; sometimes it involves subtle errors or violations of an advisor’s duties.Â
Our Santa Clarita securities fraud attorneys handle a wide range of securities misconduct and fraud cases, including:
- Ponzi schemes (involving securities): A Ponzi scheme is a type of fraud in which returns are paid to earlier investors using the funds of newer investors, rather than from legitimate profits. These schemes are unsustainable and eventually collapse, leaving most investors with substantial losses.
- Improper use of margin accounts: Margin accounts allow investors to borrow money to invest, but brokers must use these funds responsibly and with the client’s consent.Â
- Account manipulation: This happens when a broker makes trades, transfers, or other changes to your account that benefit themselves or their firm instead of you.
At Meyer Wilson Werning, we are recognized as national leaders in handling complex securities misconduct cases. With over 75 years of combined legal experience, our team has successfully represented clients across the country.
Our lawyers are nationwide leaders in investment fraud cases.
You Can Recover Compensation for Losses in Your Securities Portfolio
If you’ve lost money due to the misconduct or negligence of a financial advisor, you may recover compensation with the help of an experienced securities lawyer serving Santa Clarita. A skilled lawyer can review your situation and determine whether you have a valid claim.
Securities cases are often resolved through mediation or arbitration rather than going to court. Mediation allows both sides to meet with a neutral third party to try to reach a settlement, giving you some control over the outcome. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to FINRA arbitration, where a panel makes a final, binding decision.
Having our experienced Santa Clarita securities arbitration lawyers who understand the requirements of both mediation and arbitration is critical. We can gather evidence, negotiate on your behalf, and represent you throughout the process.
We Are The firm other lawyers
call for support.
Work With Trusted Securities Attorneys Serving Santa Clarita
Our firm stands out for several reasons: we combine legal experience with extensive resources, allowing us to take on even the largest financial firms. We focus on a low-volume, high-value approach, meaning we dedicate significant time and attention to each case to build the strongest possible argument.
From investigating suspicious trades to presenting cases in FINRA arbitration, our attorneys have the experience, knowledge, and strategic insight needed to protect investors nationwide. By consistently achieving results for our clients, Meyer Wilson Werning has earned a reputation as one of the leading securities law firms in the country.
Recovering Losses Caused by Investment Misconduct.