Interior of the Office of Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP

Assisting with Securities and Wealth Management Litigation and Arbitration

The securities and wealth management industry is highly regulated by a mixture of rules emanating both from government agencies, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), to self-regulating organizations, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).

Wealth Management Litigation

Our attorneys at Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP are experienced in counseling registered persons, broker-dealers, registered investment advisers (RIAs), and other financial institutions in a wide array of legal, regulatory, and compliance issues; we also frequently represent firms and registered persons in securities arbitrations and investigations.

Arbitration

The firm’s attorneys have represented clients in arbitration proceedings and regulatory investigations by bodies such as FINRA, the SEC, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and state attorneys general, and securities regulators. Our attorneys also have extensive experience defending clients in securities litigation, including class and derivative actions.

As a firm, our attorneys routinely counsel securities professionals, financial advisers, and financial institutions in compliance matters — to minimize risk — and zealously advocate for client interests once disputes begin, whether with regulators, customers, shareholders, or other industry professionals.

Securities Litigation

Our attorneys understand how to navigate the unique procedural rules of securities arbitrations and litigation, and have considerable experience in handling internal and regulatory-driven investigations into potential or alleged violations.

Some of the matters our attorneys have experience with as both claimants’ and defendants’ counsel include:

  • Churning cases
  • Twisting cases
  • Expungement of CRD/Form U5 disclosures
  • Promissory note cases
  • SEC, FINRA, DOJ subpoenas/investigations
  • Raiding
  • Selling away
  • Fiduciary duty
  • Drafting Form ADV and other compliance materials
  • Drafting SEC filings

Representative Matters

  • Routinely represent international brokerage firm in FINRA arbitrations, subpoenas, and state and federal litigation across the country, including matters in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida, California, New York, and Puerto Rico.
  • Represented registered investment adviser (RIA) and principal in year-long investigation and enforcement proceeding by Kentucky Division of Securities.
  • Successfully represented individual in FINRA arbitration with broker-dealer concerning termination and Form U5 issues.
  • Represented individual in successful settlement of claims with broker-dealer, 18-month FINRA investigation, and investigation by Tennessee securities regulators and state department of insurance.
  • Advise RIAs in examination issues and draft Form ADV updates and other compliance documents.
  • Successfully represented former Hertz CFO in dismissing putative securities class action in New Jersey federal court.
  • File and quickly resolve interpleader actions in state and federal court on behalf of brokerage firms and other financial institutions.
  • Represented nationwide credit- and debit-card payment processing company in multiyear investigation by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. Attorney’s Office into fraud and embezzlement by company employees. Conducted internal investigation, reached favorable settlements with all wrongdoers, and assisted in restatement of company financials and SEC filings.
  • Successfully removed Puerto Rican state court action over brokerage accounts to federal court in South Carolina and defeated claims against financial institution.

Contact Us

We counsel and represent clients in Metro Louisville and throughout the nation. To speak with one of our lawyers, call our office at 502-416-1630.