The Florida securities lawyers at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. have been helping investors in the state of Florida since 1980.
We’ve helped recover over $170 Million for our clients, and are one of the most experienced FINRA Securities Arbitration Law Firms nationwide.
The securities industry is fraught with opportunities for misconduct, and when investors are the victims of such activity, they have certain rights and remedies.
Our experienced securities lawyers focus on representing investors in matters related to stockbroker misconduct and other investment fraud. We understand the complexities of securities laws and how they are relevant to your case.
If you have suffered investment losses, we can help.
Contact us today at (800) 732-2889 or fill out one of our short contact forms.
What Can Florida Securities Lawyers Do For You?
A securities lawyer is an attorney who specializes in securities laws and regulations. These attorneys can provide investors with legal representation involving investment losses from fraud, misrepresentation, or other securities-related disputes.
In addition, they can also help investors navigate the claims process, resolve disputes with their broker-dealer or financial advisor, and help uncover any potential violations of securities laws.
If you have experienced investment losses, you may be able to recover some or all of your money through the FINRA arbitration process. Our experienced Florida securities lawyers can help you file a claim and recover what is rightfully yours.
You can contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the facts of your case and whether you may be entitled to recover your losses.
Florida Securities Laws
As an investor in Florida, you have both federal and state securities laws to protect you from fraud, misuse of funds, and other unethical activity.
Florida has some of the strongest laws in the country when it comes to elder abuse and investor protection.
Below are some of the securities laws that may be applicable to your case:
Florida Division of Securities (FDS)
The Florida Division of Securities (FDS), a division of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (FL-OFR), is responsible for enforcing state securities laws and protecting investors from fraud within the parameters of Florida law.
The FDOS has the authority to investigate, administratively prosecute and take legal action against any person or entity that violates the Florida Investor Protection Act.
You can learn more about the FDS and how they protect investors on their website.
Florida Consumer Protection Division
The Florida Consumer Protection Division is part of the Office of the Attorney General and is responsible for protecting consumers from deceptive business practices.
They investigate complaints about fraud, unfair or deceptive trade practices, and other consumer-related issues in order to ensure that businesses comply with state laws and regulations.
Florida Statute § 517
This statute is a state law that regulates securities transactions and fraud. It imposes civil and criminal liability upon those who violate the statute, as well as provides for remedies for investors who have been harmed by such violations.
You can read more about Florida’s securities laws in Statute § 517 here.
Why Hiring a Florida Securities Lawyer Is Important
Many investors don’t realize that the government will not reimburse them for losses incurred from securities fraud. Hiring an experienced Florida securities attorney is often the best chance these individuals have to receive compensation.
The owner of The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has over four decades of experience helping investors recover losses from broker-dealers, financial advisors, and other entities.
He understands the complexities of securities laws and how they are relevant to your case. Contact us today at (800) 732-2889 or fill out one of our short contact forms for a free consultation to discuss your rights and potential remedies.
Dealing with an Investment Loss Dispute?
Discuss your legal options with an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.
Schedule A Free Consultationor, give us a ring at (800) 732-2889.
How a Florida Securities Lawyer Can Help Investors Recover Investment Losses
Whether you were misled, defrauded, or taken advantage of by your broker-dealer or financial advisor, our experienced Florida securities lawyers can help.
An investor typically has to file a lawsuit and prove that the defendant’s actions caused their losses in order to receive compensation for securities fraud.
In unusual cases, these securities claims are handled in a traditional courtroom. However, often these disputes with registered brokerage firm’s and registered stockbrokers are resolved through FINRA arbitration.
The FINRA Arbitration Process
FINRA, or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, is a private corporation that oversees disputes between investors and the brokerage firms they entrust with their investments.
All broker-dealers are required to be members of FINRA, which means that securities disputes must be brought in front of FINRA arbitration panels.
Broker-dealers owe their clients a fiduciary duty, meaning they must act in their clients’ best interests.
When a broker-dealer or financial advisor fails to live up to this obligation, investors may be entitled to compensation for any losses that result from that breach of duty.
As such, the FINRA arbitration process is set up to help investors resolve these disputes and recover damages for their losses.
The FINRA arbitration process involves several steps, including:
- Filing a statement of claim;
- Selecting arbitrators;
- Participating in pre-hearing conferences and discovery; and
- Attending the arbitration hearing.
If your case is going before a FINRA arbitration panel, you are going to need an experienced securities arbitration lawyer on your side.
Robert Pearce has represented hundreds of clients in the FINRA arbitration process. He is committed to obtaining the best results for his client in every case.
What to Expect with Securities Attorney Fees
If you are an investor who has been the victim of securities fraud or a broker looking for legal representation, you may be wondering how much a securities lawyer will cost. The answer depends on the facts of your case.
An initial consultation with a securities lawyer is typically free. During this consultation, the lawyer will review your case and give you an estimate of the legal fees. If you decide to move forward with the case, you will typically be asked to sign a contingency fee agreement.
A contingency fee agreement means that you will only have to pay the lawyer if he or she is successful in recovering money on your behalf. If the lawyer is not successful, you will not owe any legal fees.
At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and answer any questions you may have. We also work on a contingency fee basis, so you will only have to pay us if we are successful in recovering money for you.
Contact us today at (800) 732-2889 for your free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and legal options moving forward.
We Have a History of Success
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has an impressive track record of success in representing clients in securities disputes throughout Florida and beyond.
Our firm is highly regarded by both legal professionals and investors alike for our knowledge, experience, and commitment to obtaining the best possible results for our clients.
Some of our past successes include:
FEDERAL COURT FINAL JUDGMENT $21,041,285
Case No. 1:10-cv-21444-KMM
College Health and Investment, Ltd. v Esther Spero
This Final Judgment was entered against the defendant for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and civil theft pursuant to Sections 812.014 and 772.11, Florida statutes in 2010.
FEDERAL COURT CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT $4,300,000
Case No. 14-001695-CI
State of Florida, Office of Financial Regulation v. Tri-Med Corp., et al.
Mr. Pearce represented the investors as co-counsel with the Receiver in a class action against the accounting and legal professionals for allegedly aiding and abetting a Ponzi scheme. After removal from state to Federal court and several years of litigation, the lawsuit was resolved in 2017 through mediation and the payment of more than $4.3 million to the receivership for the investors benefit by the law and accounting firms.
FLORIDA STATE COURT SETTLEMENT $3,500,000
This $3.5 million settlement was in a state court action filed by Mr. Pearce on behalf of a trust for an elderly widow was against one of the largest corporate trustees in the country. The corporate trustee allegedly failed to diversify a concentrated portfolio in a single stock during the 2008-2009 financial market meltdown. The case was settled in 2010 for substantially all of the widow’s losses she was entitled within the short six-month statutory window for bringing a claim against trustees and Florida.
FINRA ARBITRATION AWARD $3,266,200
Case No. 90-01044
Jack Friedlander, et al. v. Margaretten Securities
This arbitration involved misrepresentations and unsuitable recommendations that Claimants invest in complex structured products consisting of stripped coupon mortgage-backed securities and pass through certificates. The Claimants were awarded punitive damages and attorney fees and expenses.
FINRA ARBITRATION AWARD $2,752,049
Case No. 10-03554
College Health and Investment, Ltd. v Wells Fargo Advisors LLC
This FINRA Arbitration by College Health against Wells Fargo Advisors followed a Federal court proceeding for aiding and abetting the defendant in that case in the theft of funds from the family holding company’s brokerage account at the firm.
FLORIDA PROBATE COURT SETTLEMENT $1,900,000
In this Probate court matter, Attorney Pearce represented several family members in a lawsuit against legal and financial professionals and others for their undue influence over an elderly person in conveying his investments and other assets prior to his death. The suit was settled during a mediation in 2007 for $1.9 million.
FINRA ARBITRATION AWARD $1,817,296
Case No. 09-02697
Gerald J. Kazma, et al. v. Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., et al.
The Kazma Family filed an arbitration claim against Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. for losses arising out of a complex municipal arbitrage structured products commonly known as the MAT/ASTA products which were allegedly misrepresented and mismanaged during the 2008 municipal bond financial crisis. Mr. Pearce represented scores of investors in connection with the failed MAT/ASTA structured product debacle.
Do You Believe You Were a Victim of Securities Fraud in Florida?
If you were the victim of securities fraud or another type of investment misconduct in Florida, the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., can help. Our experienced Florida investment fraud lawyers have a successful track record in recovering losses for investors who were taken advantage of by unscrupulous brokers or financial advisors.
We will review your case for free and let you know whether we can help.
Securities law is a complex and specialized area of law. While it may be tempting to try to represent yourself in a securities fraud case, doing so can be risky. A securities attorney will be able to navigate the complex legal landscape and give you the best chance of recovering your investment losses.
Need A Securities Lawyer’s Help?
If you have further questions related to securities law, contact The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. today to schedule a free consultation.
Our Florida securities attorneys represent investors, broker-dealers, and financial professionals in all types of securities-related disputes.