The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce P.A. are Tennessee investment fraud lawyers who help investors recover losses from broker misconduct and securities fraud. For over 45 years, our firm has represented victims of stockbroker fraud, unsuitable investments, and brokerage firm misconduct throughout Tennessee and in FINRA arbitration nationwide.
We understand the betrayal you feel when a trusted advisor violates their fiduciary duty. Your broker may have misrepresented investments, engaged in unauthorized trading, or recommended unsuitable investments that devastated your portfolio. Our attorneys have recovered over $175 million for clients who suffered investment losses through broker negligence and securities fraud.
Investment fraud victims often blame themselves, but broker misconduct is never your fault. Our Tennessee securities attorneys protect investor rights and hold negligent brokers accountable. We handle cases involving churning, breach of fiduciary duty, Ponzi schemes, and other FINRA claims that destroy retirement savings and financial security.
Our experienced team represents investors on a contingency basis—you pay nothing unless we recover your investment losses. Contact our Nashville office at (800) 732-2889 for a free consultation about your stockbroker fraud case. We help Tennessee investors reclaim their financial future through aggressive representation in FINRA arbitration and court.
Our law firm serves clients throughout Tennessee:
See More Cities We Serve
- Franklin
- Johnson City
- Jackson
- Hendersonville
- Bartlett
- Kingsport
- Smyrna
- Collierville
- Spring Hill
- Cleveland
- Gallatin
- Mount Juliet
- Cookeville
- Oak Ridge
- Morristown
- Bristol
- Shelbyville
- Farragut
- East Ridge
- Tullahoma
- Springfield
- Sevierville
- Dyersburg
- Dickson
- Greenville
- Elizabethton
- Athens
- McMinnville
- Lewisburg
- Hartsville
- Union City
- Alcoa
- Lenoir City
- Atoka
How a Tennessee Investment Fraud Attorney Can Help You
If you’re a victim of investment or securities fraud in Tennessee, the experienced investment fraud attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. can help you understand your rights and pursue recovery of your losses.
Understanding Investment and Securities Fraud
Investment fraud, commonly known as securities fraud, occurs when brokers or financial advisors intentionally provide false or misleading information, resulting in significant financial harm. These practices might involve direct theft, deceptive promises, or concealment of critical investment risks.
Example Scenario: A broker convinces an investor to put their retirement savings into a risky, illiquid asset, exaggerating returns and hiding risks. Ultimately, the investment collapses, causing severe financial losses.
Tennessee and Federal Investor Protection Laws
Tennessee investors are protected by comprehensive state and federal regulations designed to maintain market fairness and transparency. Key protective laws include:
- Tennessee Securities Act (§ 48-1-101 et seq.): Prohibits fraudulent securities practices and mandates security registration.
- Tennessee Business Corporations Act (§ 48-11-101 et seq.): Defines fiduciary duties of corporate leaders and investor rights.
- Tennessee Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (UDTPA) (§ 47-18-101 et seq.): Allows legal action against deceptive or unfair investment practices.
Oversight is provided by the Tennessee Securities Division, the Consumer Protection Division of the Tennessee Attorney General, and national regulators like FINRA and the SEC.
Types of Securities Violations and How We Can Help
Broker Misrepresentation and Omission
Brokers must truthfully represent investments. Misrepresentation violates Tennessee law (§ 48-1-121). Our attorneys can investigate and analyze investment documents, pursuing compensation when brokers have misled investors.
Churning (Excessive Trading)
Excessive trading intended to generate commissions breaches FINRA Rule 2111. Our attorneys can uncover evidence of churning and pursue actions to recover losses.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Brokers who fail to prioritize clients’ best interests violate fiduciary duties outlined by Tennessee law. The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. can represent investors harmed by fiduciary breaches.
Unauthorized Trading
Executing trades without investor consent violates FINRA Rule 3260. Our firm can document unauthorized transactions and file claims to reclaim your financial losses.
Ponzi and Pyramid Schemes
Ponzi schemes promise returns financed by new investors’ funds. Our investment fraud attorneys can utilize the Tennessee UDTPA to take decisive action against such schemes.
Elder Financial Abuse
Tennessee’s Adult Protection Act (§ 71-6-101) protects elderly investors from exploitation. Our attorneys assist senior clients in recovering losses from financial abuse.
Unsuitable Investments
Brokers recommending investments inconsistent with investors’ objectives breach FINRA Rule 2111. Our firm can evaluate your portfolio and hold brokers accountable.
Other Common Violations:
- Insider Trading
- Market Manipulation
- Theft of Funds or Securities
- Negligent Investment Advice
- Failure to Supervise Brokers or Advisors
Statute of Limitations for Investment Fraud in Tennessee
Under Tennessee law, victims of securities fraud must file claims within two years of discovering fraud, and no later than five years from the fraudulent act.
Investment Losses? We Can Help
Discuss your legal options with an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.
or, give us a ring at (800) 732-2889.
Can I Recover my Investment Losses?
In order to recover your investment losses, you must prove that your broker-dealer or financial advisor violated the Tennessee Securities Act, breached their fiduciary duty to you as an investor, or acted negligently as gauged by FINRA Rules and other securities industry regulations.
In most cases, this means filing a FINRA arbitration claim against the broker-dealer and/or representative.
The majority of securities fraud cases are handled by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) rather than being brought to the court system.
FINRA arbitration is a streamlined, cost-effective way to resolve disputes between investors and their brokers without going to court – it also allows you to collect punitive damages, which are not available in civil court.
Did You Know . . . Investment Fraud Attorney Robert Pearce Has Single-Handedly Collected Over $175 Million On Behalf of His Clients
In the last 20 years alone, Robert Pearce has recovered over $175 million for his investor clients. In fact, he has recovered funds for over 99% of his investor clients through various avenues of recovery, including settlements, arbitrations, and court litigation.
No investment fraud firm can ever guarantee the same or similar results in any given case. However, when you hire the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., you can sleep well knowing you are in qualified and capable hands. Attorney Robert Pearce has represented hundreds of investors over his 45 year career and in the last 20 years alone recovered over $175 million for his investor clients.
Robert Pearce will fight for your rights day in and day out to get you the recovery you are entitled to.
What Can an Investment Fraud Lawyer Do for Investors?
An investment fraud lawyer helps investors recover investment losses that they lost due to a financial advisor or broker who did not act in their best interest. Typically, the lawyer will help the investor recover their losses through a process called FINRA arbitration.
INVESTMENT LOSSES? LET’S TALK.
or, give us a ring at 800-732-2889.
Client Testimonials
What Sets Our Law Firm Apart: A History of Success
When choosing legal representation, results matter. For over 45 years, our firm has gone head-to-head with Wall Street’s largest institutions to reclaim millions for both Tennessee and nationwide investors. We’ve successfully navigated complex, high-stakes battles against major broker-dealers, recovering substantial losses from investment fraud, churning, unsuitable recommendations, and breach of fiduciary duty. Here are a few examples that showcase our track record:
1) FINRA Arbitration Award $1,030,909
Case No. 03-06176
Gary A. Friedman, et al. v. Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc.
This case arose from the underwriting and stock ratings scandal during the 2000-2002 market crash. Tennessee investors facing similar misconduct from major brokerage firms can find encouragement in this result, where the arbitrators awarded not only compensatory damages but also punitive damages against Merrill Lynch for knowingly publishing false ratings that investors relied upon when making investment decisions.
2) FINRA Arbitration Settlement $425,000
In a complicated arbitration involving private placement securities, the broker-dealer and financial advisor misrepresented material facts and failed to conduct proper due diligence. Like many Tennessee residents who’ve encountered unsuitable private placements, this investor trusted the firm’s recommendations only to discover critical information had been concealed. The recovery came through demonstrating the broker-dealer’s failure to investigate material facts that would have deterred any reasonable investor from purchasing the participation units and promissory notes, settling for substantially the entire investment amount during mediation in 2015.
3) FINRA Arbitration Award $545,500
Case No. 90-02875
Larry Witte, as Guardian of Teresa Bill v. Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
After proving that Raymond James made unsuitable recommendations to an elderly incompetent widow, including options and illiquid limited partnerships, the arbitrators awarded comprehensive relief. This victory shows how we protect Tennessee investors, particularly vulnerable elderly clients, as the award included rescission of the limited partnership investments, treble damages for civil theft violations, and attorney fees totaling $545,500.
Contact our Tennessee Securities and Investment Fraud Attorneys Today
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., is a law firm specializing in representing defrauded investors recover. Tennessee investment fraud lawyer Robert Wayne Pearce specializes in getting individuals their money back from bad investments using any and all available methods.
If you are an investor who has recently dealt with investment loss due to potential securities or investment fraud, we want to help.
If you have questions about how to move forward, contact our team online or call our Nashville office line at (800) 732-2889 for a free confidential consultation with a Tennessee securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some signs I may have been a victim of investment fraud in Tennessee?
If your broker made unauthorized trades, failed to disclose investment risks, or pushed products that didn’t fit your goals, you may have a claim. Common signs include unexplained losses, excessive trading, or being pressured into complex or illiquid investments.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
We work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. All consultations are free and confidential, with no upfront costs or hidden fees.
Can I recover my investment losses if I signed a disclosure or arbitration agreement?
Yes. Even if you signed documents acknowledging risk or agreeing to arbitration, your broker is still required to act in your best interest. These agreements do not shield firms from liability for fraud or negligence.
What’s the time limit for filing an investment fraud claim in Tennessee?
Under Tennessee law, you typically have two years from the date you discovered the fraud—and no more than five years from when it happened. Prompt action is essential to protect your right to compensation.
How does FINRA arbitration work, and why is it used?
Most brokerage agreements require disputes to be resolved through FINRA arbitration, a streamlined process that avoids the delays of court. Our firm regularly represents investors in this forum and has recovered millions through arbitration awards and settlements.
[Written by attorney Robert Wayne Pearce (Attorney Bio)]