Washington, DC Broker Fraud Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Investors
Trusted counsel for victims of securities fraud and broker negligence
When stockbrokers, supervisors, and investment companies act in manipulative or negligent ways, investors face significant financial losses. Broker fraud can cost investors their retirement funds, their life savings, and the safety nets they have created for themselves, their families and their businesses.
The Frankowski Firm can help. We are experienced litigators and FINRA arbitration lawyers serving investors throughout the Washington, DC area and the surrounding regions who have been harmed by negligent and deceptive practices. Our team of DC broker fraud lawyers can review your options with you, to help you make an informed decision about what steps you wish to take next.
Examples of stock broker fraud, misconduct and negligence
When your broker or advisor acts negligently, you can bring a claim for damages in civil court or through FINRA arbitration. Our Washington, DC stock broker fraud lawyers routinely assist clients with negligence claims such as:
- Suitability claims. The most common claim for stock broker negligence, a suitability claim, states that your broker failed to purchase securities that were appropriate, or suitable, for your portfolio. This could include his or her failure to properly assess your risk tolerance, your tax status, your goals and objectives, your understanding or knowledge base of securities, and so forth.
- Failure to diversify. You know the old adage, “Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket?” It applies to your portfolio, too. If your advisor or broker invests too heavily in one industry, or one type of security (equities, bonds, cash, etc.), or only recommends purchases securities from one company, you could lose everything.
- Failure to supervise. Investment firms and brokerages are required to properly train and supervise their employees. If your broker acted negligently, you may be able to bring a failure to supervise claim against the firm or firm manager for compensation for your losses.
- Breach of fiduciary duty. Registered Investment Advisors must put the best interests of their clients first, and brokers owe you a duty of good faith and fair dealing. When you suffer losses because your broker or your RIA failed to inform you of the risks or fees associated with a securities purchase, fail to offer pertinent details about the companies you are investing in, or make trades without your consent, you may be able to bring a claim for breach of fiduciary duty.
- Churning. Excessive buying and selling of stock and securities to generate commissions is called churning. Many investors do not even realize such activity is happening with their accounts, but that does not make it acceptable. Our team of skilled DC broker negligence attorneys work with financial experts to prove that your advisor or broker put his or her own compensation ahead of your best interests.
- Selling away. Selling away is an act of securities fraud where your broker convinces you, the investor, to purchase illegitimate or unauthorized stocks or products. These claims are often accompanied by a claim for failure to supervise.
- Ponzi schemes. In a Ponzi scheme, an investor’s ability to make money depends entirely on the broker’s ability to scam new investors into purchasing additional (often non-existent) products. The government will bring charges against the people involved in this type of securities fraud, though you may be able to bring a civil claim for damages if your broker was registered with a firm.
At The Frankowski Firm, we are committed to help Washington, DC investors recover their money through the appropriate channels. We have the experience and the legal acumen that complex cases of broker fraud require. No matter which investment issues you face, our team of attorneys is prepared to help you move forward.
Skilled legal counsel for Washington, DC victims of broker fraud
As an investor, you have rights and protections afforded to you. When your advisor or broker commits fraud, we work to recover your assets. For more information about our services, or to schedule an appointment with an experienced Washington, DC broker fraud lawyer, please call 888.741.7503, or fill out our contact form.