Do you suspect that someone you know has been harmed by a stock broker?

Allegations of stock broker misconduct are governed by a specialized and sometimes arcane body of law. Most cases are not subject to either the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or the corresponding discovery rules that apply to most civil litigation. Instead, most actions against stock brokers are subject to arbitration rules promulgated by the NASD (formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers) and, in many states, corresponding bodies that exercise jurisdiction over brokers.

In the more than ten years we have been working in this area, we have learned that allegations of churning, unsuitable investments, and unauthorized trading also involve a wide array of statutory, administrative, and procedural law, ranging from securities law (e.g., Section 10(b) (5) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), Elder Law (e.g., California Civil Code § 3345, which authorizes the imposition of a fine, civil penalty or other remedy in an amount up to three times the loss when the wrongdoer has caused one or more senior citizens to suffer, among other things, a substantial loss of property set aside for retirement or for personal or family care maintenance or assets essential to the health or welfare of the senior citizen.), and almost always require substantial expert witness testimony.

We also know that other lawyers often come into contact with potential victims of stockbroker misconduct. We welcome your referrals and will treat them well. Referral fees may be available, consistent with Rule 2-200 of the California Rules of Professional Conduct and other applicable rules and statutes.