California Securities and Investment Fraud Litigation Attorneys
DO NOT LET BROKER OR RIA MISCONDUCT GO UNPUNISHED
The
accomplished lawyers at Merenbach Law have recovered millions of dollars
for investors in litigation over fraudulent stock transactions, investment
fraud and broker misconduct. Merenbach has worked on several hundred
matters involving securities and broker misconduct. Losing a large portion of
one's hard-earned assets can be devastating. We take great care to keep in
close contact with my clients in order to explain the legal process and obtain
the best possible outcome. Our clients have recovered millions of dollars
through negotiations, mediation, arbitration, and litigation. Dennis
Merenbach has the benefit of deep understanding of the brokerages,
acquired from experience in the securities industry while employed by a
brokerage firm as a registered representative.
What
Is Securities and Investment Fraud Litigation?
A
securities or investment fraud lawsuit alleges that a company or brokerage firm
did not follow rules established by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) or other federal and
state laws when soliciting or managing investments. While investment fraud
arises in a number of contexts, the most common situations in these types of
litigation include:
Misrepresentation of material facts in
offering documents
Misrepresentation of financial results
(financial statement fraud)
Accounting malpractice
Market manipulation
Insider trading
Unauthorized stock trading
Merenbach uses this experience to diligently pursue recovery of investors'
losses resulting from securities fraud, churning, unsuitable investments,
unauthorized trading, and other unlawful or negligent actions by stock brokers
and brokerage firms.
Misrepresentations,
fraud, and incompetence by stockbrokers and financial planners can often result
in dramatic losses of one's life savings, inheritance, or retirement plan
assets. Some brokers may be more concerned with their own profits than yours.
For
over 20 years, Merenbach has successfully enforced the rights of investors who have
been victimized by various forms of securities fraud or manipulation. My firm
represents individual investors who have been victimized by the fraudulent
practices of broker-dealers and mutual fund companies. These include churning,
deceptive practices, unauthorized trading, negligence, margin practices, breach
of fiduciary duty, unsuitability claims, and securities fraud in connection
with the issuance, purchase, and sale of securities.
UNSUITABLITY
Unsuitability
occurs when a broker makes recommendations that are inconsistent with the customer’s
risk tolerance, needs, and investment objectives. A broker has a duty to know
the client and only recommend investments and trading strategies that are
suitable for that client.
OVER
CONCENTRATION
Over
concentration occurs when a broker does not diversify the client’s portfolio.
Diversification is one of the most important rules of investing. The risk of
losses with a portfolio that is not diversified is dramatically increased.
BREACH
OF FIDUCIARY DUTY
Breach
of Fiduciary duty includes deceptive practices, unauthorized trading,
negligence, margin practices, mis- representation, and omissions. A broker is
liable to a client if that broker misrepresents and/or omits material facts to
the investor regarding an investment and that client loses money as a result.
RECENT AWARD
This law firm recently obtained a 1.8 million dollar arbitration award on behalf of a retired widow
against her stockbroker and brokerage firm. The case
involved churning, unauthorized margin trading,
unsuitable recommendations, and securities fraud. In
addition to $600,000 in compensatory damages, the
arbitration panel awarded $1,200.000 in punitive damages and
pre-award interest.
Required
Disclaimer: Case results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case
and do not guarantee or predict a similar result in any future case undertaken
by this firm.
Serving Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria, Ventura, Santa Ynez, Buellton, Lompoc, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Ojai, and all of California.
This is attorney advertising. This website is designed for general information only. The information presented herein should not be construed as legal advice or as the formation of an attorney/client relationship. The only way to create an attorney/client relationship with me is by a written agreement which confirms that such a relationship has been established, and which sets forth the terms of that relationship.