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Exposed to broker fraud, unauthorized trading, or misleading investment advice? The Frankowski Firm fights to recover losses for Birmingham investors through FINRA arbitration and securities litigation. Call 205-390-0399 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
When a financial advisor or stockbroker betrays your trust, the consequences reach far beyond your portfolio. You may face retirement uncertainty, depleted college savings, or the loss of a lifetime of careful planning. Attorney Richard S. Frankowski has represented more than 2,000 defrauded investors nationwide, recovering millions of dollars through FINRA arbitration and securities litigation.
Headquartered in Birmingham since 2001, The Frankowski Firm brings local knowledge and national reach to every case. Richard Frankowski is the author of the ABA’s Practitioner’s Guide to Securities Arbitration, rated AV Preeminent 5.0 by Martindale-Hubbell, and recognized by Super Lawyers. We handle every case on a 100% contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover your losses.
Financial advisors registered as investment advisers owe you a fiduciary duty to put your interests first. When they recommend products that generate higher commissions for themselves, fail to disclose conflicts of interest, or steer you toward proprietary funds that benefit their firm, they violate this duty. Alabama law and federal securities regulations provide strong remedies for investors harmed by fiduciary breaches.
Churning occurs when a broker executes excessive trades in your account primarily to generate commissions, not to benefit your portfolio. Unauthorized trading happens when a broker buys or sells securities without your prior approval. Both practices erode your account value through unnecessary transaction costs and can be identified by analyzing turnover ratios and cost-to-equity metrics in your brokerage statements.
Under FINRA Rule 2111 (Suitability) and Regulation Best Interest, brokers must recommend investments that match your financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment objectives. When an advisor places a retiree’s savings into high-risk private placements, variable annuities with steep surrender charges, or speculative penny stocks, they may be liable for your losses through FINRA arbitration.
Ponzi schemes promise consistent, above-market returns but pay existing investors with funds from new participants rather than legitimate profits. In Birmingham, these scams frequently exploit close-knit communities, churches, and professional networks, where victims recruit people they know. When the scheme collapses, investors face devastating losses. Our attorneys help victims trace assets, file claims against custodians and enabling broker-dealers, and pursue recovery through receivership proceedings and SIPC claims.
Our office at 231 22nd Street South in Birmingham puts us at the center of Alabama’s financial district. We understand the local investment landscape, the advisors and firms operating here, and the Alabama securities laws that protect you.
Richard Frankowski authored the ABA’s Practitioner’s Guide to Securities Arbitration, the definitive legal textbook used in law schools across the country. He holds an AV Preeminent 5.0 rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by Super Lawyers.
We handle every investment fraud case on a contingency basis. You pay no upfront fees and owe nothing unless we successfully recover your losses. This allows you to pursue justice without adding financial risk during an already difficult time.
Most investment fraud claims are resolved through FINRA arbitration rather than traditional court litigation. When you open a brokerage account, the customer agreement typically includes a pre-dispute arbitration clause requiring disputes to be resolved through FINRA’s arbitration forum.
Here is what to expect:
Think you have a claim? Call 205-390-0399 for a free, no-obligation case review.
Warning signs include unexpected losses that do not match the stated risk level of your investments, frequent trades you did not authorize, investments you do not understand or were not explained to you, and account fees or commissions that seem excessive. Request your brokerage statements and compare the actual performance against what was promised. Our attorneys offer a free review of your account records to identify potential misconduct.
Under FINRA rules, you must file an arbitration claim within six years of the event giving rise to the dispute. Alabama state securities law provides a two-year statute of limitations for certain claims. However, the clock often starts when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the fraud, not when it occurred. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
The Frankowski Firm handles all investment fraud cases on a 100% contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront fees, no retainer, and no hourly charges. We only collect a fee if we successfully recover money for you. The initial case evaluation is always free and confidential.
You may recover compensatory damages (the difference between what you invested and what your portfolio would have been worth with proper management), lost opportunity costs, interest, and in some cases attorneys’ fees. Punitive damages may be available in cases involving egregious misconduct. Our attorneys calculate your full damages using industry-standard methodologies such as well-managed portfolio analysis.
Yes. Under FINRA rules and the doctrine of respondeat superior, the brokerage firm that employed the broker bears responsibility for failing to supervise its registered representatives. Even if the individual broker has moved to another firm or left the industry, the employing firm remains liable. In many cases, the firm is actually a stronger defendant because it carries more assets and insurance.
Most FINRA arbitration cases are resolved within 12 to 18 months from the filing of the Statement of Claim. This is significantly faster than traditional court litigation, which can take three to five years. Some cases settle before the hearing through mediation or negotiation, which can shorten the timeline further.
If you suspect your financial advisor or stockbroker has caused you investment losses, contact The Frankowski Firm for a confidential, no-cost case review. We serve investors throughout Birmingham, Jefferson County, and across Alabama.
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