Financial losses caused by securities fraud or professional misconduct can disrupt your long-term plans and undermine the savings you worked hard to build. If a stockbroker, advisor, or brokerage firm contributed to losses of $100,000 or more through negligence or intentional misconduct, a Savannah securities lawyer can help you evaluate your options for recovery.
At Meyer Wilson Werning, we have recovered compensation for thousands of investors nationwide. Since our founding in 1999, our firm has secured in excess of $350 million for clients across the country and has earned national recognition for our commitment to investor advocacy. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our Georgia securities lawyers.
Supporting Investors in Savannah and Across Georgia
Whether you live in Savannah, the surrounding coastal communities, or anywhere else in Georgia, our legal team is fully equipped to assist you.
Because securities claims often involve electronic documents, virtual conferences, and remote arbitration hearings, many investors never need to travel in order to pursue their claims.
The services provided by our nationwide securities lawyers include:
- Virtual consultations.
- Remote document review.
- Secure electronic communication.
- Nationwide representation against major brokerage firms.
Our firm has pursued claims against nearly all major brokerage institutions in the country, giving us insight into their defense strategies and internal procedures. Our nationwide reach ensures that Savannah investors receive the same high-level representation we provide to clients across the United States.
We Have Recovered Over
$350 Million for Our Clients Nationwide.
The Benefits of Hiring a Securities Lawyer Serving Savannah
When your financial future has been put at risk because of the actions of an advisor or investment firm, trying to resolve the situation without legal assistance can be very difficult. Securities law is an extremely technical field, and the financial institutions responsible for your losses often have extensive legal teams dedicated to protecting their interests.
Partnering with an experienced securities attorney gives you critical support throughout the claims process. Whether your losses were caused by misleading guidance, unsuitable investment recommendations, mismanagement of your accounts, or outright fraudulent behavior, knowledgeable legal advocacy can make all the difference.
Evaluating Your Investment Losses
Determining the true scope of your losses is more involved than reviewing the decline in your account balance. Many investors are unaware of how many factors can influence the value of a claim. Beyond the immediate losses, issues such as missed investment opportunities, hidden fees, improper commissions, excessive trading, and tax consequences must be considered.
Our Savannah securities attorneys conduct a comprehensive, detail-oriented review of your case by examining:
- Your account statements and trade confirmations.
- Your investment goals and stated risk tolerance.
- Emails, disclosure documents, and any written or verbal communications from your advisor.
- How your portfolio changed or was restructured over time.
If an investor suffered unnecessary risk, was encouraged into unsuitable investments, or was placed in products that did not align with their objectives, those issues can significantly increase the value of a claim. Our methodical analysis creates a strong foundation for pursuing full and fair compensation.
Identifying Fraud, Misrepresentation, or Negligence
While investment losses can certainly occur due to ordinary market changes, many losses stem from misconduct that could, and should have been, prevented. Brokers and financial advisors must follow industry rules and regulations when handling a client’s investment.
When a financial professional fails to follow industry rules or responsibilities, investors have the right to hold them accountable. Our Savannah securities fraud lawyers carefully investigate each case to determine whether your losses were caused by:
- Recommendations that were unsuitable based on your age, assets, or tolerance for risk
- Misrepresentations, omissions of key information, or overly optimistic assurances
- Unauthorized trades or a high volume of transactions designed to generate excessive commissions (also known as “churning”)
- Violations of FINRA or SEC regulations
- Failure by the brokerage firm to properly supervise its representatives
We analyze the documentation, consult with industry specialists when necessary, and reconstruct the sequence of decisions that led to your losses. This investigative approach enables us to present clear evidence demonstrating where the advisor or firm breached their duties.
Negotiating Settlements and Pursuing a Resolution Through Mediation
Most disputes involving investors and brokerage firms do not end up in court. The vast majority of investor agreements contain arbitration clauses requiring claims to be resolved through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration process. Before arbitration begins, however, many cases settle through negotiation or mediation.
Our firm has a long history of successfully negotiating favorable settlements for investors in Savannah and throughout the United States. Mediation is frequently pursued because it:
- Provides an opportunity for both sides to communicate with guidance from a neutral mediator
- Often leads to quicker, less stressful resolutions compared to arbitration
- Allows investors to have more input in determining the outcome
During mediation, our securities fraud attorneys advocate strongly for your interests while always keeping practical solutions in mind. When mediation does not yield a fair settlement, we are always ready to proceed to arbitration.
Representing You During FINRA Arbitration
If negotiations fail to produce a resolution, your case will move forward to FINRA arbitration. This formal process involves both sides presenting evidence and testimony before an arbitrator or panel of arbitrators. These arbitrators evaluate the facts and ultimately issue a legally binding decision.
Unlike mediation, arbitration is typically mandatory under brokerage contracts, and the resulting decision can only be appealed in extremely rare circumstances.
At Meyer Wilson Werning, our securities arbitration and litigation lawyers serving Savannah prepare every case with the expectation that arbitration will be necessary. This level of preparedness ensures that we are ready to present:
- Detailed financial analyses illustrating your losses
- Expert testimony explaining industry standards and where the advisor violated them
- Key documents showing misconduct, negligence, or misrepresentation
- Thorough legal arguments detailing breaches of regulatory or fiduciary duties
We have represented investors in FINRA arbitration hundreds of times, giving us a deep understanding of the process and the strategies brokerage firms commonly use to defend their actions.
Types of Securities Cases We Handle in Savannah
Our practice is devoted exclusively to representing investors harmed by securities fraud or financial professional misconduct. While some individuals come to us with losses tied to personal investments or private deals, we only represent clients whose losses stem from advice or actions taken by licensed brokers or financial advisors.
Common types of cases we handle include:
- Unsuitable investment recommendations
- Failure to disclose material risks or conflicts of interest
- Exploitation of elderly or vulnerable investors
- Broker-involved Ponzi schemes or fraudulent investment programs
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Brokerage firms failing to supervise their representatives
If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, we invite you to contact us. A Savannah securities attorney can review your circumstances and help you understand whether you have a valid claim.
Our lawyers are nationwide leaders in investment fraud cases.
Get Help From an Experienced Securities Attorney Serving Savannah
The attorneys at Meyer Wilson Werning are dedicated to helping Savannah investors seek justice and pursue recovery when their financial security has been jeopardized by misconduct.
Our lawyers have been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® and many other national organizations for their work in securities litigation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free case review and learn how we can help you pursue the money you deserve.
Recovering Losses Caused by Investment Misconduct.