FINRA Arbitration Attorney

Do You Believe Fraud Led to Your Investment Losses?

When you’ve experienced investment losses and believe they stem from financial advisor or broker negligence, you next best step is to talk to a FINRA arbitration attorney.  Many investors who experience losses find that FINRA arbitration is their best option to recover those losses.

Why? There are three main reasons:

1) The FINRA arbitration process is less expensive,

2) it reaches a conclusion more quickly than litigation in court, and

3) an award is paid to the investor who experienced losses within 30 days after the FINRA arbitration hearing ends.

It should come as no surprise that losing money on the stock market is a possibility. But when your investment losses are caused by the misconduct of your stockbroker, or even your brokerage firm, you have the right to seek full repayment of the money you’ve lost through arbitration with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

FINRA is responsible for overseeing the conduct of brokerage firms, stockbrokers, and financial advisors. When these parties engage in fraud or misconduct and their clients endure substantial financial losses, FINRA has the authority to order them to pay restitution. However, the only way you will get restitution is by proving to FINRA that your broker or financial advisor has wronged you. When you do, you may not only recover your losses, but you could possibly prevent other investors from being defrauded in the future.

Contact Us to Hold Your Broker Accountable in a FINRA Arbitration Hearing

When our attorneys at Wolper Law Firm, P.A. represent you in FINRA arbitration, you can be sure that we will do everything possible to secure maximum recovery. Call our team at 800.931.8452 to arrange a free consultation.

How Our FINRA Arbitration Attorneys Can Help You Recover Investment Losses

Turn to Our Experienced FINRA Arbitration Attorney for Wronged Investors

Our team at Wolper Law Firm, P.A. has expertise in representing investors who experience losses caused by fraudulent investment schemes. We understand the intricacies of the FINRA arbitration process and can help you understand your options to recover your losses. Our focus is getting investors the best relief available to them, and we will work zealously to obtain that relief.

Our FINRA arbitration lawyers will hold those who caused your investment losses responsible and will guide you through every step of the arbitration process.

Although FINRA arbitration may be intimidating, with the assistance of a qualified attorney, investors can maximize their chances of recovering their losses in a FINRA arbitration hearing. An experienced FINRA attorney from Wolper Law Firm, P.A. will stand up for you when you’ve lost money due to broker fraud. FINRA arbitration hearings are similar in structure to litigation in court, so you need a seasoned professional at your side who understands strategy and process. Our attorneys won’t back down without a fight.

Why Choose a FINRA Arbitration Attorney at Wolper Law Firm, P.A.?

We Have a Long History of Success Helping Investors Recover Losses

When you work with our team at Wolper Law Firm, P.A., you can count on representation from highly experienced attorneys who have a proven record of success, with a 99% recovery rate for wronged investors. Our FINRA arbitration lawyers have recovered millions for our clients. Learn more about some of our winning cases and the amounts we recovered.

As a dedicated FINRA arbitration attorney, Matt Wolper is prepared to help you every step of the way. Before opening Wolper Law Firm, P.A. to stand up for investors defrauded by unscrupulous stockbrokers, our attorney defended brokerages against fraud allegations. This comprehensive experience allows him to anticipate the legal arguments made by these firms and their brokers in a FINRA arbitration hearing and be prepared to refute them.

Our Record of Success in FINRA Arbitration Hearings

We have helped many investors successfully navigate the FINRA arbitration process and recover their losses. Learn what our past clients have to say about the representation we provided them.

Here’s one example of how we help our clients:

“Matt Wolper represented my interest, and those of my spouse and brother-in-law in a FINRA Arbitration. Not only was he representing three family members, but these members had wide variation in their levels of expertise in investments and in the legal issues surrounding them. Matt was very professional and consistently maintained an excellent level of communication. He not only represented us fairly, but provided us with appropriate and timely feedback, including explanations, reassurances and advise. I would recommend him and would not hesitate to use his services again.” – Jack G.

Make your best choice and rely upon a FINRA arbitration lawyer at Wolper Law Firm, P.A..

• 99% recovery rate for investors
• Millions recovered for clients
• Representing clients nationwide
• Attorneys who have represented brokerage firms and understand legal tactics of financial advisors

Our FINRA arbitration lawyer has nearly two decades of experience in securities litigation and has recovered money in over 99% of fraud cases. We want to help you, too. Let’s talk today about where we can start. Call us at 800.931.8452.

How the FINRA Arbitration Process Works

After you ask, “How does the FINRA arbitration process work?” you might next ask, “And why go through FINRA arbitration instead of litigation in court?” In short, the process is very similar to a legal court case. Many choose FINRA arbitration because the case will be decided relatively quickly – usually within 18 months.

Steps in the FINRA Arbitration Process

1. Determine your eligibility to pursue FINRA arbitration.
2. Ensure your broker or investment firm is registered with FINRA.
3. Your FINRA arbitration hearing is scheduled.
4. Pre-hearing steps are similar to litigation and include discovery and depositions.
5. Both sides present their case. Yours should use supporting evidence, and witnesses, if necessary.
6. The arbitrators will review the evidence and testimony presented.
7. The arbitrators render their decision.
8. Awards to compensate investment losses are remitted within 30 days.

 

Breaking Down the FINRA Arbitration Process

Once you and your lawyer have determined that you have been defrauded, you can initiate a FINRA arbitration case if you are eligible under FINRA arbitration rules. Under the rules, your case must involve a broker or firm registered with FINRA and you must file a claim for arbitration within six years of when the misconduct occurred.

From there, a hearing will be scheduled and your FINRA arbitration lawyer from Wolper Law Firm, P.A. will work diligently to build a powerful case with evidence to support your claim. Your case will be heard by either one or three neutral arbitrators—if your losses amount to $100,000 or more, your case will be heard by three—who are selected by both sides.

What Happens in the FINRA Arbitration Hearing?

It is understandable that investors may be apprehensive, or at least curious, if they don’t know what happens in a FINRA arbitration hearing. There are steps associated with the hearing that take place beforehand, including:

• Prehearing conference
• Motions
• Discovery
• Depositions.

The FINRA arbitration hearing process is similar to court in that both sides have the opportunity to present evidence in the hearing to support their case or defend themselves. Your specific broker will need to explain to the arbitration panel why they made the decisions they did. During the hearing, witnesses must testify under oath, just as in court cases.

Once the panel has heard the case, it will conduct an in-depth review to determine whether fraud occurred. If your broker was unable to convince the arbitration panel that they were acting in your best interests, and the decision comes down in your favor, the panel will likely determine that you should be fully repaid for your losses.

From there, the broker will be ordered to compensate you, typically within 30 days. The entire process of FINRA arbitration typically takes under 18 months. This is quite different from court proceedings, where it could take years in some cases before a decision is made, due to appeal after appeal.

FINRA Arbitration Decisions Cannot Be Appealed

This is the “kicker” and the main concern investors have when they weigh the decision of whether to proceed with FINRA arbitration or pursue litigation in court to recoup their losses.

You cannot appeal the arbitration decision if it does not go in your favor. The decision by arbitrators is final.

For this reason, it is very much to your benefit if you have lost money due to broker fraud to get the representation of a qualified FINRA arbitration lawyer with a long record of success in winning restitution for clients. Having the assistance of a skilled investment fraud attorney can make the difference in your case.

When to Call Our FINRA Arbitration Lawyer

FINRA arbitration is designed to help investors who have lost money after being wronged by their brokers and financial advisors. There are many different types of misconduct, fraud, and negligence, but they all have one thing in common: there has been a breach of the broker’s fiduciary duty.

In the event that you are unsure whether you’ve been defrauded by your broker, you can bring your financial records and other relevant documents to one of our FINRA arbitration lawyers, who can assist you with your case.

The fiduciary duty applies to all registered stockbrokers and financial advisors. It essentially says that the broker or advisor has an obligation to always act in the best interests of their client. In basic terms, this means that investment suggestions must align with the goals of investors’ portfolios; brokers and advisors must do their due diligence with investment opportunities; and they must always prioritize the financial needs of investors.

Whenever this fiduciary duty has been breached, FINRA may be able to award the investor restitution for the losses that were caused by the actions or inactions of the broker. If you have lost a substantial amount of money and believe your broker did not act in your best interests, or if you are unsure whether your stockbroker should be held accountable for the loss you have suffered, it is time to contact a FINRA arbitration lawyer. Our FINRA attorney will examine the details of your case and advise you about potentially recovering your losses.

We Will Hold Your Broker Accountable in a FINRA Arbitration Hearing

Arbitration can be overwhelming, but when you have a highly experienced FINRA arbitration lawyer at Wolper Law Firm, P.A. by your side, you can rest easier knowing a qualified team of legal professionals is fighting to recover the stock losses you have endured due to broker misconduct. Let’s talk about your case today. Call us at 800.931.8452.

FINRA Arbitration FAQs

Our FINRA Arbitration Lawyers Answer Common Questions

Following are questions and general answers about the claim process that our FINRA arbitration lawyers commonly address. To have your specific concerns addressed, speak directly with a FINRA arbitration attorney from Wolper Law Firm, P.A..

What is the statute of limitations for a FINRA arbitration?

From the time at which the fraudulent or negligent action took place, you have 6 years to bring a claim for FINRA arbitration (FINRA Rule 12206). However, if the losses related to those actions were discovered later, the 6-year clock may begin from the moment the losses are discovered and presumed caused by negligence or fraud.

How soon after a FINRA arbitration hearing will I receive restitution if I win?

If you win your case in FINRA arbitration, those who are responsible for your losses have 30 days from the end of the hearing to pay you (FINRA Rule 12904).

How long does a FINRA arbitration case take from start to finish? 

According to FINRA, cases that go to arbitration hearings typically take 16-18 months to be resolved. When arbitration cases can be settled before a hearing, they may resolve in approximately one year. In either case, arbitration through FINRA is usually faster than going to court. When decisions go in favor of investors, brokers have 30 days to pay them.

Can I appeal a FINRA arbitration decision?

No, you cannot appeal a decision by FINRA arbitrators in a hearing. That is the one potential drawback of pursing FINRA arbitration instead of taking your case through the traditional court system. However, the advantage of time is what motivates most investors to choose FINRA arbitration. With litigation, decisions can indeed be appealed. If you win your initial trial, the investment advisers or brokers who caused your losses may then appeal, perhaps more than once. So, the path of court litigation can drag on for a long time.

Are there alternatives to FINRA arbitration?

While FINRA arbitration is often the most effective way to recover your investment, there may be other dispute resolution alternatives, depending upon your situation. Mediation through FINRA that results in a settlement is a possibility if both sides are agreeable. Alternatively, a civil lawsuit may be an option via litigation in court. However, many brokerage firms bind clients to arbitration. If this is true in your case, the option to litigate your case through the court system will not be available.

How do FINRA arbitration attorneys help with FINRA complaints, and do I need one?

You are not required to hire an attorney to file a complaint for arbitration with FINRA. However, you stand a better chance of financial recovery if you work with an experienced FINRA arbitration attorney. An attorney who is knowledgeable in this area will know what evidence to gather to make the most impact in your case. If your case goes to an arbitration hearing and you do not have legal representation, you will have to question witnesses from both sides, which can be intimidating. And you can be sure that the broker and/or brokerage firm will have attorneys defending them who are highly informed in securities law and the arbitration process.

If you are not successful in FINRA arbitration you will not recover your money, because arbitrator decisions are final. Why take the chance? While our team at Wolper Law Firm, P.A. cannot guarantee that an arbitration case will go in your favor (no attorney can), we can guarantee that your case will be treated with high importance and handled by a skilled attorney who has achieved success in the vast majority of fraud cases. Our attorneys have a 99% success rate in recovering money for investors.

What other punishments could my broker get for misconduct?

In addition to filing a statement of claim for arbitration, you can also file an investor complaint about your broker and/or brokerage firm on the FINRA website. Complaints investigated by FINRA may result in disciplinary actions including fines, license suspensions and even barring from the securities industry.

Filing a complaint with FINRA is not the same as filing a claim for arbitration, however. If you want to get financial recovery through FINRA, you will need to pursue arbitration or mediation. You can file a complaint in addition to seeking arbitration. Also, brokers who commit fraud can sometimes face prison time and criminal fines, depending upon the egregiousness of their misconduct.

Is FINRA Arbitration the Best Option for You?

It can be difficult to tell whether FINRA arbitration is the right choice for you. Our team at Wolper Law Firm, P.A. can give you a better idea of what’s right for you after carefully examining the details of your case.

Our Experienced FINRA Arbitration Attorneys Seek Justice for Investors

When you trust a broker or financial advisor with your money, you expect them to look out for your interests. Unfortunately, not every broker is honest and ethical. If you believe you have been defrauded, a qualified FINRA arbitration lawyer at Wolper Law Firm, P.A. can help you understand your options for seeking restitution. Our attorneys are committed to getting legal justice for investors.

Don’t try to go through FINRA arbitration alone. Our skilled attorneys will leverage their experience, knowledge and skill and fight for you. We have a 99% recovery rate for investors who have suffered losses caused by negligence and misconduct. Let us help you recover your losses, too.

Get the legal guidance you need for success. Talk to our FINRA arbitration attorneys today by calling our team at 800.931.8452.