Virginia has a significant retiree population, with about 18.4% of residents age 65 or older. Older Virginians can be particularly vulnerable to financial exploitation, investment fraud, and misconduct. In 2025 alone, Virginia securities regulators received hundreds of tips and complaints, including cases involving fraud and unregistered securities.
The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce P.A. represents investors throughout Virginia who have suffered losses due to broker misconduct and securities fraud. Investment fraud occurs when brokers misrepresent risks, make unauthorized trades, or recommend unsuitable investments that violate their fiduciary duty, as well as other securities violations. Attorney Pearce and his experienced team of Investment and Securities Fraud lawyers handle cases involving stockbroker fraud, brokerage firm misconduct, and broker negligence through FINRA arbitration and other legal channels like state and federal courts.
We know how overwhelming it feels to watch your savings disappear at the hands of someone you trusted, and we are here to fight for you.
How a Virginia Investment Fraud Attorney Can Help You
If you’ve suffered financial losses due to investment fraud or securities violations, our Virginia investment and stockbroker fraud attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation.
Unsuitable Investment Recommendations
Brokers have a fiduciary duty to recommend investments suitable for your financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance under the Virginia Securities Act (§ 13.1-501). If your broker recommended unsuitable investments, our investment fraud lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. can analyze your portfolio to identify negligence and help you seek recovery.
Excessive Trading (Churning)
Churning occurs when brokers excessively trade in your account to generate commissions, violating FINRA Rule 2111. Our attorneys can meticulously investigate transaction histories to uncover such misconduct and work strategically to recover your losses.
Ponzi Schemes and Pyramid Fraud
Ponzi schemes promise high returns while using new investors’ funds to pay earlier investors, violating federal securities laws including SEC Rule 10b-5. If you suspect involvement in such a scheme, our attorneys can guide you through reporting to regulators and pursuing litigation.
Misrepresentation and Omission of Facts
Misrepresentation violates both the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196) and federal law. Our attorneys can assist in gathering evidence to prove brokers intentionally misled you about risks or potential returns.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
When brokers put their interests above yours, they breach fiduciary duties outlined in the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (§ 13.1-690). We can identify such breaches and advocate effectively for your recovery.
Unauthorized Trading
Trading without client consent breaches both FINRA rules and state regulations. Our attorneys can help you document unauthorized transactions and pursue arbitration or litigation.
Theft or Misappropriation of Funds
The direct theft of client funds or securities is a severe violation under both federal law and Virginia’s securities statutes. Our lawyers can aggressively represent you in court to recover your assets.
Failure to Supervise Broker Activities
Brokerage firms must adequately supervise brokers as mandated by FINRA Rule 3110. If your losses resulted from a firm’s failure to monitor broker activities, we can pursue claims against negligent firms.
Statute of Limitations in Virginia Investment Fraud Cases
Virginia imposes a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the fraudulent transaction, whereas federal securities fraud cases generally have five years from the violation or two years from fraud discovery. Consulting our attorneys promptly can protect your legal rights.
Additional Types of Investment and Securities Fraud Cases We Handle:
- Forced liquidation
- Overconcentration
- Mutual fund sales violations
- Excessive markups/markdowns
- Unapproved investment sales
- Broker negligence
- Margin account abuse
- Conflict of interest
- Private placement risks
- Cryptocurrency fraud
- 401(k) misconduct
- Microcap stock fraud
- EB-5 immigrant investor fraud
- Mining investment scams
- Advance fee schemes
Our Comprehensive Approach to Investor Protection
At the Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A., our experienced attorneys can thoroughly investigate and analyze your case, identify responsible parties, file complaints with agencies such as the SEC and FINRA, negotiate favorable settlements, and litigate aggressively when needed. Our primary goal is always to recover the maximum compensation for your losses.
Virginia Investor Protection Resources:
- Virginia State Division of Securities
- Virginia Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division
- Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Virginia Securities Laws
Virginia’s core securities statute is the Virginia Securities Act, codified at Va. Code § 13.1-501 et seq. Under § 13.1-502, it’s illegal to sell securities by using any device or scheme to defraud, by making an untrue statement of material fact, by leaving out a material fact that makes other statements misleading, or through any transaction that operates as a fraud on the buyer.
This statute is part of what people commonly call Virginia’s “blue sky laws.” These laws give state regulators authority to police securities sales and misconduct happening within Virginia, working alongside federal securities law.
Virginia’s securities regulator is the State Corporation Commission’s Division of Securities and Retail Franchising. Broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers, and their representatives are governed by Title 21 of the Virginia Administrative Code. Under 21VAC5-80-200, dishonest or unethical practices include recommending unsuitable investments, trading in an account without written authorization, excessive trading, and exercising discretion without proper written authority.
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 Virginia Securities Act, Securities Exchange Act of 1934, breached their fiduciary duty to you as an investor or breached their contracts to abide by FINRA rules and 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.
What Can an Investment Fraud Lawyer Do for Investors?
An investment fraud and stockbroker loss recovery lawyer helps investors recover investment losses that they lost due to a financial advisor or broker who failed them and 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.
Contact our Virginia 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. Virginia 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 Virginia Beach office line at (800) 732-2889 for a free confidential consultation with a Virginia securities lawyer. We will fight aggressively for your financial recovery and for justice.
Our law firm serves clients throughout Virginia:
Client Testimonials
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my broker committed investment fraud?
If your advisor made trades without your consent, misrepresented risks, or recommended investments that didn’t match your goals or risk tolerance, it could be fraud. Our Virginia attorneys can review your brokerage records to identify misconduct under state and federal law.
How much does it cost to hire your law firm?
We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. All consultations are free and confidential.
What should I do if I suspect broker negligence or misconduct?
Gather your statements, emails, and account records, then contact a securities attorney. Our firm can evaluate whether your losses were due to negligence, fraud, or violations of the Virginia Securities Act or FINRA rules.
How long do I have to file a claim in Virginia?
Virginia law typically gives investors two years from the date of the fraudulent transaction to file a claim. Federal securities claims may allow more time, but early action improves your chance of recovery.
Can I recover losses even if I signed a risk disclosure?
Yes. Disclosures don’t protect brokers who act improperly. If your advisor misled you or failed to act in your best interest, you may still be entitled to compensation through FINRA arbitration or litigation.
[Written by attorney Robert Wayne Pearce (Attorney Bio)]