Investment Litigation Blog

Seeing that account balance number can hurt. And not all investment losses are potentially recoverable or due to inappropriate recommendations by a financial advisor. But in times of market volatility, reviewing investment account statements might reveal claims for losses that are actionable and recoverable – if prompt action is taken. Warren Buffet’s much repeated quote,…

Today the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) announced a massive LPL Financial settlement with state securities regulators relating to over a decade of sales of unregistered securities by LPL brokers. Under the terms of the LPL Financial settlement, the firm agreed to repurchase from investors certain securities that were sold to them since October,…

SYK is pleased to announce that attorney Darlene Pasieczny (“Pah-shetch-nee”) has been appointed by the Board of Governors for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to serve a three-year term on the National Arbitration and Mediation Committee (NAMC).  Darlene will serve as one of the “Public” members of the national 13-person advisory committee.  The NAMC…

Can investors bring a claim against Robinhood and other self-directed platforms for the recent purchase restrictions on GameStop, AMC, and other securities? The internet is buzzing with talk of class action lawsuits.  Our office is fielding inquiries.  But – from a claimants’ attorney perspective – there are high hurdles to overcome. The securities trading platform…

The SEC is taking action against numerous companies for their false and misleading conduct related to COVID-19 Since February 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has temporarily suspended trading in over 30 stocks and filed several enforcement actions against individuals and microcap securities issuers based on fraudulent COVID-19-related claims. The enforcement actions have…

If you are considering using provisions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to withdraw and reinvest money from your retirement savings, be aware that fraudsters may be targeting you. Be wary when someone encourages you to use your retirement savings to make new investments. When considering new investments, do your…

Victims of COVID-19 Scams and Cybercrime Need to Act Fast – FBI’s Financial Fraud Kill Chain May Recover Fraudulent Wire Transfers Cybercrime is becoming ever more pervasive, and with so many more people working at home during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the risk of a fraudulent wire transfer and other financially motivated crimes is higher…

FINRA, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, issued an eye-catching warning in Regulatory Notice 20-14 about a particularly complex and risky type of security: Oil and Gas Exchange Traded Products, or ETPs. High concentrations in the oil and gas sector, especially with complex, risky, and volatile products like ETPs, may become a frequent subject for investor…

As current chair-elect of the Oregon State Bar’s Securities Regulation Section, attorney Darlene Pasieczny (pictured here moderating a panel via webcast) assisted with the program planning for the 40th Annual Northwest Securities Institute (NWSI) program in Seattle, Washington.  As part of this panel presentation, attorney Dan Keppler and SEC trial counsel Brent Smyth spoke on…

SYK attorney Darlene Pasieczny Presents on FINRA Expungement Proceedings at PIABA’s Mid-Year Meeting. On April 4, 2019, I joined co-panelist Kate McGrail and moderator Robert J. Girard II in Washington D.C. Together, we presented on FINRA expungement proceedings to an audience of securities attorneys, law professors, and state securities regulators attending PIABA’s Mid-Year Meeting. Our…