Unfortunately, people who in positions of power don’t always live up to the ethical and professional standards required of them. Stock brokers and financial advisors are no exception, and headlines bear this out in national media year after year.
Any form of financial advisor misconduct is extremely serious. Nest eggs that took years to build can vaporize in an instant, leaving lives in ruins. If you suffered financial losses due to the actions of an irresponsible broker or fraudulent advisor, you are not alone. Many people across the spectrum fall prey to deceptive, misleading, or improper broker/advisor behaviors that can decimate their accounts. Even the most savvy investors are vulnerable to financial abuse.
So, what if you discover that your brokerage firm, stockbroker or investment advisor violated the trust and confidence of your business relationship? Before you resign yourself to the thought that your hard-earned money is lost forever, there are ways to fight back. Through mediation, and sometimes arbitration, it is often possible to recoup some or all of the money lost.
Asheville, NC 828-398-8288 | VeachLegal@gmail.com By Appointment
As part of your initial signed customer agreement with the broker and brokerage firm, you have the right to demand a hearing to resolve investment disputes through mediation and arbitration facilities of FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). FINRA is the dispute arm of the SEC with its own rules for mediation and trial of disputes arising from broker misconduct and securities fraud. Arbitrators and mediators trained by FINRA are often not legal professionals, and the mission of FINRA is not necessarily to protect the investor.
FINRA employs the tools of mediation and arbitration to resolve disputes investors have with their brokers and advisors. Mediation is a settlement process whereby investors can create compromised resolution or settlement with their brokers. Settlement through FINRA is not as flexible as mediation in common litigation but is often a useful and beneficial tool in helping investors find restoration to wholeness without having to undergo the stress and frustration of arbitration, which is more likened to a trial.
Both methods of resolution require preliminary matters to be undertaken before mediation and arbitration conferences are held. All of the normal elements of a lawsuit, including investigation, discovery, connecting dots, and illustrating a persuasive story of wrong-doing is nearly identical to what takes place in FINRA arbitration. At an arbitration, evidence is presented and testimony
is provided. At the conclusion of that, the arbitrator makes a ruling that is binding on the parties.
The most proactive thing you can do when you find yourself a victim of broker fraud is to immediately seek legal counsel to guide you through the FINRA process. It is important to look for an experienced attorney with an insider’s knowledge of the industry and a result-driven record of success.
Attorney Tucker Veach is certified to represent clients before FINRA. Because this admission is a federal SEC certification, he is able to represent clients nationwide in FINRA mediation and arbitration matters and is not limited to North Carolina, Washington D.C., Texas or Tennessee, where he holds licenses to practice in state courts.
Because Mr. Veach operates a boutique securities and investment arbitration firm, he is able to provide first-rate representation to his clients that larger firms simply cannot handle in a cost-effective manner. He has successfully represented hundreds of clients and recovered tens of millions for defrauded investors through arbitration.
No one wants to lose their hard-earned money. If you believe that you have suffered an investment loss, call Attorney Tucker Veach today at 828-398-8288 for a confidential consultation.
After uncovering research misconduct within my organization that tied directly to investor harm, I needed an attorney who understood the legal and scientific sides of the issue. Attorneys at Veach Law PLLC handled everything with professionalism.
I discovered that critical information about my portfolio had not been accurately represented to me for years. Tucker Veach, Attorney, and his team investigated the fraud case thoroughly and secured a result I didn’t think was possible.
Veach Law PLLC took on my broker misconduct case when no one else would. Tucker Veach understood the financial loss I had suffered and fought hard through FINRA arbitration to recover what I was owed. I finally felt like someone was in my corner.
Dealing with a broker who falsified data or a situation involving the manipulation of research materials? You deserve clear answers. Reach out to Tucker Veach Attorney for a direct conversation about your rights and your options for recovery.
FINRA arbitration is an out-of-court dispute resolution process where neutral arbitrators issue binding decisions on claims between investors and brokerage firms.
Yes. Arbitration awards issued by FINRA panels are final, legally binding, and generally cannot be appealed in traditional court except under very limited circumstances.
On average, a full FINRA arbitration proceeding takes between 12 to 16 months from filing the initial Statement of Claim to receiving a final award decision.
Yes. Approximately 80% of FINRA arbitration claims are resolved before the final hearing through direct negotiations or voluntary FINRA mediation.
Yes. Most standard brokerage account agreements contain pre-dispute arbitration clauses requiring investors to resolve disputes through FINRA rather than state or federal courts.