Investment Fraud Lawyers Serving Houston
The Texas investment fraud lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. represent investors in the Greater Houston Area who lost substantial money to fraudulent brokers and advisors.
If you have suffered investment losses because of misconduct, we will work to hold the responsible party accountable for the financial harm you suffered.
Our securities fraud attorneys have been fighting for defrauded investors like you for over 45 years, recovering $185 million for clients harmed by investment fraud. Brokerage firms owe you a legal duty to recommend honest, suitable investments, and our experienced Houston attorneys know how to prove when that duty was broken. Call (800) 732-2889 today for a free consultation.
Houston’s oil and gas economy has long made it a target for high-risk deals and aggressive fraudsters. One of the most notorious cases involved R. Allen Stanford, whose Houston-based firm ran a 20-year, $7 billion fraud scheme that cost thousands of investors their savings. The scheme ultimately led to criminal prosecution and a 110-year prison sentence for Stanford. Houston investors deserve attorneys who know how to fight back.
Investigations of Houston, Texas Brokers by the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. has investigated several Houston-based brokers facing repeated customer disputes. Gihan Anil Fernando of Cetera Investment Services faces seventy-two settled customer disputes, most involving non-traded REITs and other real estate securities sold while he was at BOK Financial Securities. H. Todd Roggen, formerly of Raymond James, has eight customer dispute disclosures — including a pending complaint, several settled matters, and an old arbitration award — centered on misrepresentation, unsuitable investments, auction rate securities, and concentrated preferred stock purchases. Horacio Gomez-Rabago, now with Oppenheimer & Co. after stints at Morgan Stanley and other firms, has been the subject of seven customer complaints, with settlements including $700,000 and $175,000 payouts. Phillip Wayne Jones of Merrill Lynch has two customer disputes alleging misrepresentation, omissions, and unsuitable recommendations involving structured products and mutual funds, one of which settled for $2,750,000. Ray Burns of UBS Financial Services has two known customer complaints, one resolved in the investor’s favor and one currently pending. Common allegations across these cases include unsuitable recommendations, misrepresentation of investment risk, and sales of high-risk or illiquid products to retail investors.
Investment Fraud Cases We Handle in Houston
Investment fraud takes many forms across the stock or commodities markets, and our Houston-based attorneys handle the full range of securities fraud, financial fraud, and stockbroker misconduct claims. We help investors recover losses caused by brokers and advisors who prioritize commissions over client interests. Here are the types of investment fraud cases we handle for Houston investors.Why Choose Robert Wayne Pearce as Your Investment Fraud Lawyer in Houston?
We know you have options when it comes to choosing an investment fraud lawyer in Houston, and we know that choice matters. At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., we focus exclusively on holding brokers and advisors accountable, and that focus gives our clients a real advantage that general practice firms simply cannot match.
- 45+ Years of Experience: Robert Wayne Pearce has handled investment fraud cases for over four decades, giving our firm an inside understanding of how brokerage firms defend themselves.
- $185 Million Recovered: Our firm has recovered $185 million for clients harmed by investment fraud across the country.
- 99%+ Success Rate: Mr. Pearce has recovered funds for over 99% of his clients through civil litigation, arbitrations, and settlements nationwide and internationally.
- 200+ Cases Tried: Attorney Pearce has tried over 200 cases to trial verdict or arbitration award, with only 4 losses for clients in his career.
- No Fees Unless We Win: We represent clients on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Meet The Team
ROBERT WAYNE PEARCE
Securities Attorney
ADAM KARA LOPEZ
Securities AttorneyHow Texas Securities Law Affects Your Investment Fraud Claim
Houston's position as the center of the U.S. energy industry has made Texas a frequent venue for oil and gas investment disputes, private placement fraud, and other high-risk securities offerings. Texas securities law gives defrauded individual investors important state-level protections that work alongside federal securities laws and FINRA arbitration.
The Texas Securities Act, the state law governing the sale of investments, allows investors to sue when securities are sold through misrepresentations or sold without proper registration. Knowing which protections apply to your situation can shape the strength of your claim.
A few features of Texas law are worth understanding before you move forward:
- The Texas Securities Act: Lets investors pursue claims for misrepresentations, omissions, and the sale of unregistered securities.
- The Texas State Securities Board: Enforces state securities law and registers the securities industry professionals doing business in Texas.
- Filing deadlines: Texas and FINRA both impose strict time limits, so a delayed claim can be lost entirely.
Securities violations can expose brokers, advisors, and firms to civil liability, regulatory sanctions, and other potential penalties under state and federal law.
Consider a Houston retiree who was sold an unregistered oil and gas note. That investor may have a viable claim under the Texas Securities Act, in addition to any remedy pursued in federal court.
How Investment Fraud Cases Work in Texas
Most Texas investment fraud cases move through a three-stage process, carrying you from an initial review of your accounts all the way to an arbitration award or settlement.
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Step 1:
Free Case Review and Investigation
We begin by examining your account statements, trade records, and other investment documents, so the confusion you have been living with starts to give way to a clear picture of what went wrong. -
Step 2:
Filing the FINRA Arbitration Claim
We prepare and submit your claim through FINRA arbitration, the forum where most financial disputes between investors and brokerage firms are resolved, supported by the evidence we gathered. -
Step 3:
Arbitration Hearing or Settlement
We either negotiate a settlement with the brokerage firm or argue your case before an arbitration panel, fighting for the maximum recovery you are owed. - Contact Our Experienced Investment Fraud Attorneys Now for a Free Consultation Get A Free Consultation
Other Areas in Texas We Serve
Investment fraud reaches investors across Texas, far beyond the Houston city limits. Our attorneys help clients throughout the state pursue claims against the brokers and advisors who caused their losses. Wherever you are in Texas, you can reach our team for a free consultation about your case. We serve investors in:Houston Investment Fraud F.A.Q
Houston investors most often ask us about filing deadlines, the damages they can recover, whether they need a lawyer, and what representation costs.How long do I have to file an investment fraud claim in Texas?
FINRA arbitration generally applies a six-year eligibility rule, measured from the events giving rise to your claim. Other deadlines under Texas law may shorten that window depending on your situation. Because a missed deadline can end a claim entirely, you should speak with an attorney as soon as you suspect fraud.
What damages can I recover in a Houston investment fraud case?
Recoverable damages often include your lost principal, the interest or market return you should have earned, and the fees and commissions your broker charged. In some cases, investors may also recover attorney costs, and an experienced lawyer can review your records to estimate the full compensation you may be owed.
Do I need a lawyer to file a FINRA arbitration claim?
You are not strictly required to have one, but brokerage firms always hire experienced defense counsel to fight investor claims. Going in alone puts you at a serious disadvantage, which is why most investors secure experienced legal representation to protect their interests.
How much does an investment fraud lawyer cost?
Many securities cases, including ours, are handled on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Consultations start free, so you can understand your options without any financial risk.