Tr?id=566623520170033&ev=PageView&noscript=1

Morgan Stanley Seeks to Stop Two Departing Advisors from Transferring Inherited Accounts

Posted on May 9th, 2022 at 2:59 PM
Morgan Stanley Seeks to Stop Two Departing Advisors from Transferring Inherited Accounts

From the Desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law:

Morgan Stanley is seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) in an effort to block two of its former New-Jersey based advisors from soliciting clients whom they inherited via the firm’s Former Advisor Program (FAP). 

Joseph Hutchinson and Robert Gibbs allegedly violated their employment agreements by misappropriating confidential client information because of their success in transitioning clients inherited from a retired advisor, according to Morgan Stanley. Hutchinson and Gibbs, who recently joined RiversEdge Wealth partners, have transferred nearly $20 million of the $175 million book they inherited from the former advisor, Leo Russomanno. According to Morgan Stanley, Hutchinson and Gibbs agreed to a one-year solicitation ban in the event they were to depart the firm. 

Morgan Stanley sent demand letters to each advisor after their departure on April 19 prior to filing its lawsuit, but each denied misappropriating the firm’s confidential client information or soliciting the clients. According to the complaint, the $175 million in assets constituted nearly 85% of the advisors’ total client book. Hutchinson and Gibbs have been “depriving” Russomanno, who retired in 2019, of his retirement income, according to Morgan Stanley. 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, regulatory and disciplinary matters.

 
 

Tags: eccleston law, morgan stanley, tro

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next
Quotes Bigger

I am grateful to have found an outstanding law firm that specializes in securities matters. My lawyers were extremely knowledgeable, diligent, and are skilled litigators. No stone was left upturned. As a result of their experience and tenacity, the arbitration proceeding was dismissed in my favor.

Michael E.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

1781279618 Law
June 12, 2026
FINRA Suspends Former LPL Broker Over Undisclosed Outside Business Activity

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has imposed a $5,000 fine and a 45-day suspension against former LPL Financial broker James R.

1781195016 Law
June 11, 2026
FINRA Suspends Former Raymond James Representative for Improper Account Conversions and Unauthorized Trading

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) sanctioned Paul D.

1781105914 Law
June 10, 2026
Ameriprise Reports Second Data Breach in Less Than Six Months

Ameriprise Financial recently disclosed another data breach, marking the second cybersecurity incident involving the firm in less than six months.