The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce P.A. represents investors throughout Virginia who have suffered losses due to broker misconduct and securities fraud. Our Virginia investment fraud attorneys have recovered over $175 million for clients during more than 45 years of focused practice.

Investment fraud occurs when brokers misrepresent risks, make unauthorized trades, or recommend unsuitable investments that violate their fiduciary duty. Our attorneys handle cases involving stockbroker fraud, brokerage firm misconduct, and broker negligence through FINRA arbitration and other legal channels. We understand the betrayal you feel when someone you trusted with your financial future violates that trust.

Many victims blame themselves, but broker misconduct is never your fault. Your broker violated professional standards and legal obligations designed to protect investors like you. Our firm helps victims reclaim their financial security through aggressive representation in FINRA claims and securities litigation.

Recovery is possible when you have experienced counsel fighting for your rights. Our team protects Virginia investors from Richmond to Virginia Beach, holding negligent brokers and their firms accountable for investment losses. Contact our Virginia Beach office at (800) 732-2889 for a free consultation about your case—we don’t charge fees unless we recover money for you.

Our law firm serves clients throughout Virginia:

Investment Losses? We Can Help

Discuss your legal options with an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A.

Get A Free Consultation

or, give us a ring at (800) 732-2889.

Robert Pearce

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:

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.

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?

investment fraud lawyers

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.

Client Testimonials


Our Track Record: Protecting Virginia Investors

When selecting legal representation, past results demonstrate future capabilities. For over 45 years, our firm has successfully reclaimed millions for both Virginia and nationwide investors in complex, high-stakes battles against Wall Street’s most powerful institutions. We’ve gone head-to-head with major broker-dealers to recover losses from fraud, churning, unsuitable recommendations, and breach of fiduciary duty. Here are a few examples that showcase our track record:

1) 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 for fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and civil theft in 2010. Virginia investors facing similar institutional fraud can find encouragement in this result, which demonstrates our ability to pursue complex federal court litigation against sophisticated defendants, securing one of the largest judgments in our firm’s history through proving systematic theft from a family holding company.

2) FINRA Arbitration Award $118,700

Case No. 94-00877

Green v. Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

This arbitration involved a theft of $100,000 from Mr. Green’s account by a Raymond James stockbroker. Like many Virginia residents who’ve encountered broker theft, this investor trusted his financial advisor only to discover outright embezzlement. Despite Raymond James’s defense, we secured an award of $118,700 including attorney fees, proving the firm’s failure to supervise its representative.

3) FINRA Arbitration Settlement $685,000

When an independent brokerage firm with offices throughout the United States failed to conduct due diligence on oil and gas limited partnerships, we represented affected investors. This case demonstrates our ability to help Virginia investors with complex partnership fraud, as the settlement came after the broker-dealer tried to dismiss under FINRA’s 6-year eligibility rule, but we crafted a class action threat that forced them to settle in 2016 rather than face broader liability.

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.

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)]