Wells Fargo Advisors Ordered to Pay $500,000 for Misuse of Former Advisor's Name

Posted on December 4th, 2024 at 3:55 PM
Wells Fargo Advisors Ordered to Pay $500,000 for Misuse of Former Advisor's Name

From the desk of Jim Eccleston at Eccleston Law

Wells Fargo Advisors must pay nearly $500,000 in damages to Nicholas Takahashi, for allegedly using his name on their website long after he left for a competitor. According to AdvisorHub, Takahashi claimed Wells Fargo violated a California law prohibiting the use of someone's name or likeness for advertising without consent.

According to the June 11 arbitration award, Takahashi left Wells Fargo in 2013 for Morgan Stanley. Despite this, Wells Fargo included his name on the website of a former partner who remained with the firm. This act potentially allowed the advisor to solicit Takahashi’s clients, according to a source close to Takahashi who spoke to AdvisorHub on the condition of anonymity.

Takahashi initially had sought over $1.8 million in damages. The total FINRA award includes $250,000 in punitive damages, almost $82,000 in compensatory damages, and roughly $163,000 in legal fees and other costs.

 

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

Tags: eccleston, eccleston law

Return to Archive

TESTIMONIALS

Previous
Next

Thank You from the bottom of our hearts for all you have done for us. When we realized this was a very bad investment - we did not know where to turn for help. Then we received your name. When we called you - you were so kind to us and then agreed to help us. For this we are so very grateful. The world would be a much nicer place if there were more people like the two of you in it. We will always remember all the help and kindness you have shown us. Thank you so very very much for everything.

Wayne and Judy S.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

December 22, 2025
FINRA Overhauls Arbitration Rules to Rebalance Arbitrator Selection and Codify Forum Practices

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has approved significant amendments to its Codes of Arbitration Procedure designed to rebalance public arbitrator selection, increase transparency, and formalize several long-standing practices in the arbitration forum.

December 19, 2025
Industry Groups Press Senate at Advance Financial Exploitation Prevention Act

Several industry associations are urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, legislation that would allow mutual fund companies and their transfer agents to delay redemptions when they reasonably suspect elder financial abuse.

December 18, 2025
UBS Warns of Rising Default Risk in Private Credit

A UBS report signals that credit stress likely will intensify next year as borrowers confront inflation, elevated interest costs, and softening consumer conditions.