Did you lose money because of a broker’s misconduct in California? You could have a claim to recover your losses through FINRA arbitration. Brokerage firms have teams of lawyers working to protect their interests – you deserve someone fighting for yours.
A lawyer from Erez Law PLLC can gather evidence for your case, handle the FINRA arbitration process on your behalf, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our firm has recovered over $320 million for investors like you, and we know how to take on brokerage firms. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to discuss your case and learn more about how we can help.
Why You Need an Investment Loss Attorney
Erez Law PLLC has helped investors across the country recover losses stemming from broker misconduct. Our firm has over 35 years of experience representing investors and has won more than $320 million for our clients. We have been successful in winning at trial or final hearing dozens of times in FINRA arbitration cases and have successfully resolved more than 2,000 arbitration cases. We know how to stand up to brokerage firms and hold them accountable in FINRA arbitration. Some of our successes have resulted in our clients receiving punitive damages, which recognized the egregious actions of their brokers and the employers who negligently supervised them. If you lost money because of a broker’s unsuitable recommendations or fraudulent actions, Erez Law PLLC can help you take action.
We have helped many investors recover compensation for the investment losses they sustained due to broker misconduct. Clients trust Erez Law PLLC because of our track record, experience, and dedication to fighting for investors’ rights. Here’s what one satisfied client had to say:
“Thanks, Erez Law for helping with my case. I was very satisfied with the settlement. From the beginning, Jeff and the team were always helpful, courteous, and professional. Get Erez Law, get results!”
—Jesse D. Tucker
California FINRA arbitration moves quickly. Working with an attorney who understands the FINRA arbitration process may increase your chances of recovering your losses. The investment loss attorneys at Erez Law PLLC can help you by:
- Investigating your broker’s actions to determine if they violated FINRA rules
- Gathering evidence, including account statements, emails, and investment documents
- Filing a statement of claim with FINRA to start the arbitration process
- Selecting arbitrators who understand securities laws and investor rights
- Consulting financial experts to strengthen your California FINRA case
- Negotiating with the brokerage firm to reach a fair settlement
- Preparing your case for arbitration or FINRA litigation if a settlement is not possible
Types of Cases Our Investment Loss Attorneys Handle
Investors trust brokers to act in their best interests, but some brokers prioritize their own interests. When that happens, investors can suffer serious financial losses. Erez Law PLLC represents investors in FINRA arbitration to hold brokerage firms accountable for misconduct in cases involving:
- Unsuitable Investments: If a broker pushes risky or inappropriate investments, investors may have claims to recover money from FINRA arbitration awards.
- Unauthorized Trading: Some brokers make trades without getting an investor’s permission. Even if the trade makes money, unauthorized trading violates FINRA rules.
- Churning: If brokers make frequent trades just to generate commissions, it can drain investors’ accounts. FINRA arbitration allows investors to seek compensation for losses caused by excessive trading, also known as churning.
- Misrepresentation and Omission: If a broker misleads a client or fails to disclose key details about investments, the investor may be able to recover losses through a FINRA claim.
- Overconcentration: Diversification protects investors from major losses, but some brokers put too much money into a single stock, industry, or investment type.
- Private Placement Fraud: Brokers sometimes push high-commission private placements without disclosing the risks. These investments can be illiquid, high-risk, or even fraudulent.
- Negligence: Some brokers make careless mistakes that cost investors money. If a broker fails to research an investment properly or overlooks essential details, the investor can file a claim.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty: If a financial advisor puts their own interests first, fails to disclose conflicts of interest, or mismanages funds, the investor could be entitled to compensation for their losses.
- Failure to Supervise: If a brokerage firm ignores red flags or allows misconduct to continue, investors may have a claim against the firm for failing to properly supervise its employees.
- Structured Notes Fraud: Brokers who misrepresent structured notes as conservative or predictable, invest in structured notes without their customer’s consent, fail to conduct due diligence, or fail to provide a fair and balanced presentation of the benefits and risks of structured notes may subject their brokerage firm to liability for investor losses.
- Options Fraud: Overconcentrating investors’ portfolios in options, making unauthorized trades in options, or making unsuitable recommendations for options can cause investors to lose money unnecessarily and in a way that could have been prevented had the broker-dealer complied with the relevant rules.
- Selling Away Fraud: Brokers are only authorized to sell investments their employer has approved. When they make recommendations outside these limitations, they violate securities rules.
What Is FINRA Arbitration?
FINRA arbitration is the process investors use to resolve disputes with brokers and brokerage firms. Most investment agreements require arbitration instead of lawsuits. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) oversees this process and provides a forum where investors can file claims against financial professionals for misconduct.
Arbitration works like a simplified trial. Investors present evidence, and arbitrators issue a final, binding decision. Appeals are limited in this forum. FINRA arbitration helps investors recover losses caused by fraud, unauthorized trading, or unsuitable investments. Investors must file their own claims to seek compensation, as FINRA does not directly recover money for them.
What Is the California Investor Protection Act?
The California Investor Protection Act gives state regulators more power to oversee brokers and investment firms. The law allows the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to investigate misconduct, issue fines, and take legal action against firms that violate securities laws.
The act also increases transparency by requiring brokers to disclose more details about fees and investment risks. However, the DFPI does not recover money for investors. Victims of broker misconduct must file claims to seek compensation. Erez Law PLLC helps California investors initiate the FINRA investigation process, pursue FINRA arbitration, and fight for financial recovery.
What You Can Do If You’ve Suffered Investment Losses
If you lost money because of a broker’s misconduct in California, you may have options to recover your losses. Lawyers who work on FINRA arbitration cases can guide you through the process and help you take action against the brokerage firm responsible for your losses. Here’s how you can get started:
- Review your account statements to check for unauthorized trades, excessive fees, or investments that don’t align with your risk tolerance.
- Gather all relevant documents, including emails, trade confirmations, and investment agreements, to support your claim.
- Report the misconduct to FINRA if your broker engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, or other violations of industry rules.
- Avoid speaking to the brokerage firm’s lawyers before consulting your own attorney, as they might try to limit your ability to recover losses.
- Arrange a consultation with an attorney to discuss your case and learn about your options.
Contact Erez Law PLLC for a Free Case Review
Investment losses caused by a broker’s unsuitable recommendations or misconduct can be devastating, but you have the right to take action. Time is limited to file a claim, so don’t wait to get legal help. Erez Law PLLC is nationally recognized for our arbitration skills. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss how we can pursue the financial recovery you deserve.