Securities Attorneys for FINRA Matters

 The skilled securities attorneys at Eccleston Law can provide valuable advice and assistance in responding to FINRA Enforcement inquiries and actions and are here to help you with all aspects of the Enforcement process, including, but not limited to:
  • Evaluating and developing your factual defenses;
  • Helping you prepare the required written statement in response to the inquiry and allegations; 
  • Analyzing the FINRA Sanction Guidelines and published FINRA and SEC decisions to develop legal defenses;
  • Preparing you for a FINRA On The Record (OTR) Interview and appearing as your counsel;
  • Answering and defending against any disciplinary complaint, “Wells Call” or “Wells Notice”;
  • Negotiating a settlement through a Letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent; and
  • Litigating a FINRA disciplinary hearing.

Our securities attorneys at Eccleston Law can guide you through the process, assist you in preparing responses and defenses and ensure the process proceeds as smoothly and quickly as possible. By engaging Eccleston Law, we may be able to help prevent a FINRA inquiry from evolving into a formal investigation or disciplinary action. Contact Eccleston Law to set up a free consultation about your FINRA matter today.


FINRA Rule 8210

The securities attorneys at Eccleston Law have significant experience in helping brokers and financial advisors navigate the FINRA Rule 8210 Enforcement process. If you have received a letter from a FINRA investigator, who is "conducting an inquiry" into some matter or allegation, this is not to be taken lightly.

These “inquiry” letters are made under FINRA Rule 8210, which requires the member, a person associated with the member, or any other person subject to FINRA's jurisdiction to provide information orally, in writing, or electronically. FINRA Rule 8210 also authorizes FINRA to take the person’s testimony, if requested, which is commonly known as an “On The Record” Interview or “OTR”. Failing to comply with the information and document requests by FINRA under Rule 8210 can lead to sanctions, including hefty fines, suspensions, or even a bar from the industry.

If the inquiry was the result of a recent termination, this unwelcomed surprise can cause a significant burden and interference with any pending or new transition to a new firm. Separations of employment are serious, life-altering matters. Oftentimes, state regulators and other self-regulatory agencies and professional organizations such as the CFP Board, will also send inquiries into the same or similar triggering circumstances, each of which are on a separate track and timeline that can be difficult to navigate and defend as you are scrambling to secure new employment or transition your book of business.

As the securities attorneys of Eccleston Law have an acute understanding of regulatory and employment matters unique to the financial industry, our experience can help you manage this overwhelming process and reduce your stress so you can get back to business as a broker.

 

WHY DID I RECEIVE A FINRA INQUIRY?

In addition to terminations and separations of employment, financial advisors may receive inquiry letters due to a variety of other circumstances. Some of the most common events include:

Customer Complaints
Arbitrations and Regulatory Actions
Form U4 and U5 disclosures

Form U4 and U5 disclosures may include criminal charges and convictions; liens, bankruptcies, and compromises with creditors; outside business activities; and regulatory actions.



 

 

 

TESTIMONIALS

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If you are being bothered by the Regulators, call Eccleston Law, you won't regret it.

Rick R.

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TESTIMONIALS

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If the regulators are after you, and are trying to make a case against you, and you are going to contest their allegations against you, make sure you have the best securities industry defense lawyers, Eccleston Law Firm. My case was spun into a combination of penalties including fines, cash settlements, CE courses and suspension. They were the best I have seen in action. When all was said and done, they had done their magic, my situation was negotiated and settled with a simple "letter of caution" and a case closed without action. It is the most important legal business decision you will ever make, make it Eccleston Law.

Rick R.

LATEST NEWS AND ARTICLES

April 25, 2025
Rosedale Advisory Firm Fined for Role in NCAA Player Referral Bribery Scheme

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finalized a cease-and-desist proceeding against Rosedale, a former SEC-registered investment adviser, for violations of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

April 24, 2025
SEC Accuses Upright Financial and Founder of Breaching Prior Settlement and Misleading Investors

According to InvestmentNews, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has charged registered investment advisor Upright Financial Corp. and its founder, David Yow Shang Chiueh, for violating a prior settlement agreement and continuing a pattern of misconduct that allegedly defrauded investors and breached fiduciary dut...

April 23, 2025
Ex-Merrill Lynch Advisor to Appeal Ruling Dismissing ERISA Class Action

A former Merrill Lynch advisor plans to challenge a federal judge’s ruling that dismissed his proposed class action against the firm when it forfeited his deferred compensation.