Eccleston Law Blog

Former Merrill Lynch Executives Launch Indivisible Partners, a New Independent Advisory Firm

January 13th, 2025 at 3:11 PM
John W. Thiel, the former head of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, has announced plans to launch Indivisible Partners, an independent registered investment advisory (RIA) firm, in early 2025.   
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FINRA Arbitration Panel Clears Advisor's Record of Defamatory Allegations

January 10th, 2025 at 2:14 PM
A FINRA arbitration panel has ruled in favor of Mary J. Howard, a former RBC Wealth Management advisor, allowing her to expunge defamatory allegations from her Form U-5 termination record.
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Former Advisor Faces Lawsuit Over Mishandling of Premium-Financed Life Insurance Plan

January 9th, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Joshua L. Gottlieb, barred by FINRA in 2017, faces a lawsuit alleging significant financial harm to a client following the sale of a premium-financed indexed universal life (IUL) insurance program. 
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Merrill Lynch Agrees to $4.9 Million Settlement in Overtime Pay Dispute

January 8th, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Merrill Lynch will pay $4.9 million to resolve a class action lawsuit filed by current and former salaried Financial Solutions Advisors (FSAs) who alleged the firm wrongfully denied them overtime pay. As reported by AdvisorHub, a Florida state judge recently approved the settlement, which will compensate eligible FSAs who worked at the firm over the past three years.
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Former Morgan Stanley Advisor Sanctioned for Undisclosed Hotel Business

January 7th, 2025 at 4:20 PM
FINRA has fined Chris S. Stocks, a former Morgan Stanley advisor, $10,000 and suspended him for 30 days for failing to disclose his involvement in a hotel business. 
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JPMorgan Fined $1.8 Million by Singapore Regulator for Misconduct in Bond Transactions

January 6th, 2025 at 12:11 PM
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) fined JPMorgan Chase & Co. $1.8 million for failing to prevent and detect misconduct by its relationship managers during 24 over-the-counter (OTC) bond transactions between November 2018 and September 2019.
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Next Level Holdings and Yield Wealth Under Federal and State Investigation

January 3rd, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Federal and state authorities are investigating Next Level Holdings and Yield Wealth, two investment firms accused of offering high-yield financial products now facing significant turmoil, according to the Wall Street Journal. 
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Goldman Sachs Launches First-of-its-Kind Bond Securitization

January 2nd, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Goldman Sachs recently introduced a $475 million asset-backed securitization (ABS) deal backed by capital-call loans, a type of financing Goldman provides to fund managers for immediate capital access.
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Understanding Alternative Investments and Risk Management

December 23rd, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Alternative investments once again are gaining traction, according to a recent article in InvestmentNews. 
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FINRA Sanctions Over 60 Advisors for Continuing Education Violations

December 20th, 2024 at 5:17 PM
FINRA has disciplined 62 advisors for cheating on New York’s continuing education (CE) requirements tied to insurance license renewals. 
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I learned two important things working with Eccleston Law. First, I made a friend and ally with Jim and Steph for life. Secondly, and this is a crucial life lesson - if you need counsel, then seek out the very best. Jim was referred to me by a most trusted source. I've never had to hire an attorney for anything. Now, I know the value of hiring an important partner. Meticulous, thorough and detailed in preparation is the best way to describe Jim. Brilliant too, I might add. Bottom line, I would highly highly recommend Jim and Stephany for your legal needs. One of the best life decisions I've ever made.

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December 11, 2025
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