FINRA Investigations Defense Lawyer

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investigations

Every investor and broker in America usually does their best to follow the rules and regulations set forth by the industry and United States law. Sometimes, though, things don’t go as planned and it’s in these cases that there can be serious legal repercussions. A FINRA investigation is one of the most dreaded of all repercussions. What starts out as an informal inquiry and investigation can quickly become a full-scale formal investigation that ends an investor’s career. It’s the job of our law office to make sure that this isn’t the end of YOUR career as an investor or broker. You’ve done your job to the best of your ability, but it’s at this point that you need to let a lawyer step in and do their job. And that is to protect you from FINRA investigations.

How FINRA Functions and Why

Our financial system is fragile. Investors and brokers who don’t play by the rules do an enormous amount of harm to individuals and financial firms, so it’s the job of FINRA, the largest independent regulatory body in the United States, to make sure that everyone involved in securities plays by the rules. When this happen, investors and the people who trust them feel safer. FINRA doesn’t always get it right, though. There have been times when investors and brokers have been unfairly accused of breaking the rules and in turn find themselves on the wrong end of the law. If you get an inquiry about rule 8210, it’s time to contact a lawyer, and there’s no other way to put it. While an informal investigation won’t immediately result in criminal charges or you losing your entire career, if you don’t respond to the accusations and clear your name, it’s possible to eventually find yourself unable to work as an investor or broker. Sometimes you can even face prison time (later on down the road when criminal lawyers become involved).

Call Us Today

Farar & Lewis is a law firm that wants to defend its clients against unfair accusations made by FINRA, and trust us, unfair accusations happen more often than you think. Unfortunately many people simply ignore their inquiry or wait while things grow worse. The longer you wait to respond, the worse it looks on you. What you need to do today is give us a call and set up a free consultation to discuss your case. Many investors have a lot of sleepless nights and worry endlessly about a FINRA letter when instead they should be sitting in our law office discussing what led to the accusation and how we can go about resolving anything that FINRA misunderstands about your conduct. So don’t wait another minute. Please realize that the informal investigation stage is the best time to clear your name. There’s still time to respond and take care of things before they escalate. If you’ve received an inquiry from FINRA, call us today. We will fight for you aggressively and protect your reputation, freedom, and career.

FINRA Disciplinary Actions Lawyers

The financial industry, including the stock and commodity markets across the globe, is very complex and important. Those that are skilled in the field may find that there are investment opportunities that can give them an unfair edge on the rest of the market. In some situations, these advantages can actually be illegal and regulatory bodies may want to take action. One organization that can take action against individuals and investment firms is the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which is commonly referred to as FINRA.

Today, FINRA is the largest independent regulation in the United States. The organization aims to protect investors by making sure that all investors, investment firms, and publicly traded companies operate ethically and within the law. While it is not officially linked to the SEC or other law enforcement industry, FINRA has the ability to set forth disciplinary actions that need to be taken seriously. Those that are charged with a disciplinary action could face a variety of potential penalties due to their past actions.

Issues Covered by FINRA
Overall, FINRA covers a variety of different issues that are of a concern to investors and the overall integrity of the markets. Some of the most common issues that FINRA will cover and investigate include fraud, misrepresentation, insider trading, and other illegal and unethical acts involving publicly traded securities and commodities. In most situations, FINRA will provide suggested disciplinary actions that people are suggested to follow.

Potential Penalties
In most cases, people that are provided with disciplinary actions set forth by FINRA will not have to face jail time. Most of these cases are handled outside of the courtroom and are settled outside of court. FINRA will generally set forth actions that are meant to discipline those that are guilty of certain acts. Some of the most common penalties that FINRA will suggest will include financial penalties, suspension of trading rights, and even a permanent ban from being able to trade or work in the financial markets. They may also provide additional suggestions to an employer that can recommend terminating employment.
While FINRA cases are generally handled outside of the legal system, FINRA can still provide suggestions to the SEC, FBI, and other federal agencies. These agencies are then permitted to pursue additional charges that could include criminal felonies that could result in even further and more significant penalties than those that are set forth by FINRA.

Hiring a Defense Lawyer
If you are the recipient of a disciplinary action set forth by FINRA, you should reach out to a criminal defense lawyer immediate. You should find one that has experience in negotiating with FINRA, which will help to ensure that your case moves smoothly and that your rights are properly represented.

Depending on the scope of the situation, the attorney will also help you to prepare for defense against further criminal charges. FINRA will be able to provide guidance as to whether they will be forwarding your case on further, which will give you a sense as to whether you should expect investigations by other parties.