At WOLPER LAW FIRM
Our Business is to Recover Your Investment Losses.
Recover Your Investment Loss. Talk to a Stockbroker Fraud Lawyer Today. Free Consultation.
Nationwide Stock Loss Recovery Attorneys That Aggressively Pursue Compensation on Behalf of Aggrieved Investors.
We are experienced trial attorneys, who hold brokerage firms, banks and financial advisors responsible for negligent or fraudulent investment advice. We aggressively pursue the recovery of clients’ investment and stock losses in all forums, including state and federal courts, and arbitration proceedings before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), American Arbitration Association (AAA), National Futures Association (NFA) and JAMS.
As an investor, brokerage firms and financial advisors are required to place your interests ahead of their own. Unfortunately, that does not always occur. Too often, financial advisors fail to disclose material risks associated with an investment or investment strategy, marginalize attendant risks, recommend unsuitable or inappropriate investments, or engage in a pattern or course of conduct that is designed to financially benefit the financial advisor instead of the client. These are examples of the type of conduct which give rise to a cause of action. Negligence and stock broker fraud puts your financial security at risk.
We Get Results
Individual Settlement Against National Brokerage Firm
Group Settlement Against National Brokerage Firm
Settlement Against Registered Investment Advisor


Misconduct In the Financial Industry
Misconduct and fraud in the financial industry is common. In 2018, according to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), brokerage firms and financial professionals were fined more than $61 million and ordered to pay over $25 million in restitution. Additionally, 386 individuals were barred from practice and another 472 suspended. The aggregate effect of broker and advisor misconduct results in billions of dollars of investor losses every year.
The Wolper Law Firm levels the playing field between Wall Street and Main Street. We bring a focused and trial-tested approach to each stock broker fraud, investment loss, elder financial abuse, and negligence case designed to identify and expose misconduct and hold brokerage firms and financial advisors accountable for clients’ investment losses.
An Aggressive Securities Litigation Firm Standing Up for the Rights of Investors

At the Wolper Law Firm, our lawyers devote our practice to recovering investment losses on behalf of aggrieved investors. Our clients come to us because they have been wronged by a financial industry that is notorious for its lack of transparency.
While the financial services industry may not be transparent, it is heavily regulated. Our team of knowledgeable securities attorneys are intimately familiar with this area of the law and understand how to hold advisors and brokers accountable for their fraud and misrepresentations. Our firm’s founder, Matthew Wolper, spent many years representing the largest Wall Street banks and brokerage firms in high-value securities cases. As a result, he has an unrivaled understanding of how the securities industry evaluates these claims. The Wolper Law Firm puts this unique knowledge, combined with an aggressive litigation style, behind each client's case.
To learn more about how the Wolper Law Firm can help you pursue a claim to recover your investment losses, call 800-931-8452 to schedule a free consultation today. We represent clients across the country, including, but not limited to Miami, Orlando, Houston, Washington, D.C., Boston, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
6 Reasons to Choose the Wolper Law Firm
Experienced
Matt Wolper spent 14 years as a partner with a national law firm representing some of the largest banks, brokerage firms and investment companies. He knows how the other side thinks and can anticipate their legal defenses and strategies. Put this experience and perspective on your side in your investment loss recovery or stock broker fraud case.
Trial Readiness
While many cases are resolved through confidential settlements or mediation, we prepare for trial in every case, beginning on day one. If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, we have the experience and resources necessary to carry your case through the trial phase.
Attention to Detail
Preparation and attention to detail are the foundation of a successful legal defense. We pride ourselves in reviewing and understanding every aspect of your case and we leave no stone unturned.
Commitment and Care
We always put the client first. We are driven to obtain the best possible results for our clients while still delivering a personalized and comforting experience. We are both your advocate and your shoulder of support.
No Fee Unless You Win
We are partners in your success. If there is no recovery in your case, we don’t earn a fee.
Passion and Compassion
Each day we remind ourselves that our work is extremely important to you and your family. That fuels us.
Cases We Handle

Fraud and Misrepresentation
Financial advisors have a legal and ethical obligation to disclose all material facts when making investment recommendations. The obligation of disclosure is required under federal securities laws (the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. § 78a et seq. and Rule 10b-5), state securities laws and the rules promulgated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The purpose of full and fair disclosure is so that investors can make informed investment decisions.
Sometimes, fraud is overt and obvious. More frequently, however, fraud is concealed. Common red flags associated with fraud are inconsistencies in statements made or information provided by your Financial Advisor, excessive trading, the sale of high commission investment products, high-pressure sales tactics and unauthorized activity in your account.
Fraud is a complex area of the law that requires a careful and effective presentation. Choosing securities fraud lawyers with experience in navigating securities fraud claims is a crucial first step in the investment loss recovery process.

Lack of Diversification and Overconcentration
Portfolio diversification is a fundamental principle of investing. Regardless of how well the stock market performs in a given year, the next downturn is just around the corner. Sectors of the market that performed well last year may perform poorly over the next several years. To smooth out the peaks and valleys in an account and avoid unnecessary volatility, it is imperative that your financial advisor recommends portfolio diversification across various asset classes, geographic regions and sectors of the economy.
While some brokers are over-confident in their assessment of market conditions, others are inexperienced, lazy or financially motivated to overconcentrate a client’s assets in a particular investment product. Brokers who fail to diversify a client’s portfolio may violate the fiduciary duty owed to that client.

Failure to Supervise
Brokerage firms make billions of dollars each year through the sale of investment products. While individual brokers are the ones to communicate with clients and recommend specific products, brokerage firms are responsible for the activities of individual brokers. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 3110 requires that brokerage firms implement a reasonable system of supervision to detect and protect against unlawful sales practices by financial advisors.
Brokerage firms must look for red flags such as unsuitable investment activity, unusual withdrawals, sizable account losses and portfolio overconcentration. Brokerage firms invest a substantial amount of money in computer software to assist the management team and compliance departments in the detection of unlawful investment activity. If a brokerage firm fails to create or implement a reasonable system of supervision or ignores red flags when they arise, the firm may be in violation of FINRA rules for its failure to supervise individual brokers. In these cases, aggrieved investors may have a claim against both the individual broker as well as the brokerage firm.

Ponzi Schemes
While there are many types of fraudulent investment schemes, none are as known as the Ponzi scheme. Ponzi schemes rely on attracting new investors, often by offering high rates of return with the promise of little or no risk.
In a Ponzi scheme, the operator lures early investors in with the promise of future asset appreciation or cash flow through some legitimate means, typically product sales. To give the illusion of credibility, the operator pays early investors as promised; however, this money comes directly from new investors’ investment, rather than the legitimate source cited by the operator. Thus, when the operator can no longer convince new investors to give him their money, the scheme breaks down, leaving most investors with substantial losses. Unfortunately, many investors are unaware that they are involved in a Ponzi scheme until it is too late.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Financial professionals, including investment advisors, financial advisors and brokerage firms, owe a fiduciary duty to their clients. When referring to a fiduciary duty, the person or organization that owes the duty is called the fiduciary, and the person to whom the duty is owed is called the principal or beneficiary. Simply stated, fiduciaries must act in the best interest of the principal.
In 2019, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) implemented Regulation Best Interest (Regulation BI), which provides that brokerage firms and financial advisors may only recommend financial products to their customers that are in their customers’ best interests. Brokerage firms and financial advisors must also clearly identify any potential conflicts of interest and financial incentives the brokerage firm or financial advisor may have in selling those products. Regulation BI is an effort to codify the fiduciary duty owed by financial industry professionals to their clients. If a financial professional violates a fiduciary duty owed to an investor, the advisor may be liable for the investor’s losses.

Unauthorized Trading
Investors place a significant amount of faith in the financial professionals they trust to handle their money. Too often, investors – especially those who do not keep a close eye on the monthly activity in their account – fall victim to unauthorized trading. Unauthorized trading occurs when a financial advisor buys or sells investment products without a client’s permission. Advisors who engage in unauthorized trading do so to generate additional commissions.
Financial advisors have several different ways they can charge clients for their services. One of the common ways is to charge a client for each trade the advisor makes. Of course, a financial advisor must obtain an investor’s authorization before placing an order to buy or sell securities. If an advisor fails to get an investor’s permission before buying or selling securities, an investor can pursue a claim against the advisor to recover the losses associated with the trade, including for any commission paid.

Broker Theft
The financial industry is heavily regulated. Thus, the idea that an investment advisor or broker would engage in criminal conduct related to a client’s capital is unfathomable to many investors. Unfortunately, financial advisor theft and broker embezzlement are more common than most investors realize.
Broker embezzlement refers to any scheme in which a broker takes illicit and unauthorized action designed to steal directly from their clients. Common examples of broker theft include forging client documents, doctoring account statements, unauthorized trading or the unauthorized transfer of funds. In each of these situations, a broker violates the fiduciary duty owed to the investor, and the investor can pursue a claim to recover any losses associated with the unauthorized activity.

Churning
Even in sizable investment accounts, the aggregate cost of buying and selling securities and other products can accumulate quickly. Indeed, transaction costs can have a noticeable effect on a portfolio’s return, especially in actively traded portfolios. While financial advisors are often compensated on a per-trade basis, they are also required to put the financial interests of their clients ahead of their own. Churning, or excessive trading, occurs when a financial advisor recommends or places trades that do not have a material benefit for the client. The financial advisor’s sole focus is generating additional fees or commissions.
A financial advisor who engages in excessive trading relies on the fact that most investors only care about how much their portfolio has increased in value. Thus, investors who are most at risk for churning are those who do not carefully follow daily transactions in their account. These advisors often make short-term trades for marginal gains and emphasize monthly or quarterly returns, instead of long-term performance, in an effort to minimize the overall cost of transactions.

Margin and Other Securities-Based Lending
Margin refers to a loan that a customer of a brokerage firm takes against the value of the securities held in the account. The margin loan can be used to purchase securities, or the money can be withdrawn from the account to meet personal expenses. The brokerage firm charges interest on the amount of margin used. Financial advisors are often compensated, in part, based on the amount of assets they have under management, which includes asset values enhanced by the use of margin.
Investors who use margin to purchase securities have the opportunity to enhance their investment returns. However, margin carries significant risks. If the value of the underlying collateral securing the margin loan falls below a certain level due to general market volatility, the brokerage firm will issue a margin call. If the client does not meet that margin call through the deposit of additional assets, the brokerage firm can liquidate securities in the account.
Margin carries significant risks and is not suitable for all investors. All risks associated with the use of margin must be disclosed prior to an account being approved for margin, and the client must have the willingness and financial ability to absorb a loss of principal. A brokerage firm’s failure to discharge its disclosure and suitability obligations regarding the use of margin may subject the brokerage firm to liability for attendant losses.

Elder Abuse
Dishonest financial advisors use a variety of tactics to bilk unsuspecting seniors of their money. Most often, advisors will attempt to foster an unusually friendly relationship with a prospective investor, hoping to gain their trust. However, once the deceitful advisor has a senior’s money, the advisor’s true intentions come out. Frequently, this takes the form of one or more of the following:
- Charging the investor excessive fees
- Engaging in churning to increase the amount of commission paid by the investor
- Buying and selling investment products without obtaining an investor’s consent
- Placing an investors capital in unsuitable products
Seniors who are the victim of financial exploitation can pursue a claim against offending financial advisors and the brokerage firms that fail to supervise them.

Unsuitable Investments
Suitability is the bedrock principle of investing. Financial advisors must take an investor’s needs and objectives into account and make suitable investment recommendations. Every investor’s situation is unique. For example, younger investors may be willing to take additional risks for the prospect of a higher annual return. However, older investors generally opt for more conservative investments that will preserve their capital, allowing a stable flow of income throughout their retirement.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Rule 2111 governs suitability and provides that a financial advisor must consider the following factors when making investment recommendations to a client:
- Age
- Other investments
- Investment objectives
- Risk tolerance
- Tax status
- Investment experience
- Liquidity needs
- Time horizon

Selling Away
Selling away refers to the practice by a financial advisor of recommending securities to a customer that are not offered or vetted by the brokerage firm that employs the financial advisor. Often, the financial advisor has a personal interest in the outside investment being offered. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has promulgated Rules 3030 and 3040, which set forth the standard of conduct relative to private securities transactions.
Rule 3030 requires that financial advisors disclose their association with any outside businesses or entities so that the brokerage firm can supervise their activities and ensure compliance with the securities laws. Rule 3030 applies to any business, even if it does not relate to the sale of securities.
Rule 3040 directly relates to outside private securities transactions. If a financial advisor is engaged in the sale of securities, separate and apart from their association with the brokerage firm, the brokerage firm is obligated to supervise those private securities transactions and record them on the books and records of the brokerage firm.
Advisors usually sell away from their firm for one of two reasons. The first reason is to make a commission. The second reason a broker may sell away is to recommend an investment in their own business or a business owned by a friend or family member. In each of these cases, selling away is a violation of FINRA rules and may be the basis for a legal claim against the advisor and employing brokerage firm.
The purpose behind the prohibition against selling away is to ensure that financial advisors do not offer securities to clients of the brokerage firm that have not been vetted or approved by the brokerage firm. Approved products have typically undergone thorough due diligence screenings to ensure that they are sound financial products.
Practice Area Quick Links
Securities Litigation and Arbitration
Securities Employment and Industry Disputes
Investor Education Center
Investor disputes arise in all types of investment products, across all sectors of the economy. There is no way to definitively say that a certain type of product or investment is unsuitable.
Financial professionals have a fiduciary duty requiring they invest a client’s money in the client’s best interest, regardless of the type of asset involved or the risk associated with that type of product.
A few examples of commonly disputed investments are:
The Wolper Law Firm represents aggrieved investors in claims to recover their investment losses. For investors who are not sure if they have been the victim of financial fraud or financial advisor misconduct, or those wondering whether they have a claim, we assembled a list of frequently asked questions.
While these FAQs provide a good starting point for investors looking to learn more about their rights, we encourage investors to reach out to an investment fraud attorney with the Wolper Law Firm to schedule a free consultation in which we can discuss your situation in more detail and provide individualized service.
Experienced and Aggressive Legal Representation
Have you experienced sudden or unexpected investment losses?
Have your investments underperformed the overall markets?
Did your stockbroker or financial advisor fail to explain the risks associated with your investments?
Has your stockbroker or financial advisor pressured you to buy investments that either you did not understand or are uncomfortable with?
If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you may be the victim of fraudulent or negligent misconduct and entitled to recover your investment losses. The Wolper Law Firm is dedicated to helping aggrieved investors recover their investment losses from banks, brokerage firms, investment advisors and other financial professionals.
Now is the Time to Talk to an Investment Loss Recovery Lawyer
Recent Fraud Alerts and Complaints About Brokers, Financial Advisors, and Brokerage Firms
Western International Securities Financial Advisor, Stuart Godin, Has Eight Customer Complaint Disclosures
By mwolper
Staten Island Brokerage Firm, Chelsea Financial Services, Sanctioned By FINRA For Failure To Supervise
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Free Case Evaluation
If you would like to speak with someone directly
Call Us Toll Free
1.800.931.8452
OR
(954)-406-1231 (Local)
If you would like to speak with someone directly
Call Us Toll Free
1.800.931.8452
OR
(954)-406-1231 (Local)
Free Case Evaluation
Additional Office Locations (*by appointment only)
3355 Lenox Road
Suite 7
Atlanta, GA 30326
Dallas
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Dallas, TX 75201
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Denver, CO 80237
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Naperville, IL 60563
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#3200
Seattle, WA 98154
Main Office - Fort Lauderdale
1250 S. Pine Island Road
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Plantation, FL 33324
Phone: (800) 931-8452
(954)-406-1231