What I take on
Practice areas
Securities litigation, exclusively — for investors, and for stockbrokers with claims against their own firms. Most cases involve several of these at once.
01
Brokerage Fraud
Brokerage fraud is when a stockbroker or brokerage firm puts its own interests ahead of yours: churning, unsuitable recommendations, unauthorized trades, or misleading you about risk. It happens to careful and experienced investors alike. Tracy Pride Stoneman recovers those losses, usually through FINRA arbitration.
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02
Securities Fraud
Securities fraud is lying about, or hiding, facts that matter to an investment decision: false statements about risk, returns, fees, or the investment itself. Investors who relied on that information and lost money may be able to recover their losses.
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03
FINRA Arbitration
FINRA arbitration is the forum where most disputes between investors and brokerage firms are decided. A panel of arbitrators hears the evidence and issues a binding award. Tracy Pride Stoneman has handled FINRA arbitrations for more than thirty years.
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04
Churning
Churning is excessive trading in your account, done to generate commissions for the broker rather than to benefit you. It most often happens where the broker controls the trading. The costs quietly drain the account, and they can be recovered.
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05
Unauthorized Trading
Unauthorized trading is any trade a broker makes in your account without your permission. Unless you gave written discretionary authority, your broker must get your approval before each trade. Losses from unauthorized trades can be recovered.
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06
Negligence
Negligence is a broker or firm failing to use the care a reasonably prudent professional would, such as ignoring risk, failing to monitor an account, or not following instructions. You do not need to prove intent to recover losses caused by negligence.
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07
Unsuitability
Unsuitability is a broker recommending an investment or strategy that does not fit your age, finances, goals, or tolerance for risk. FINRA rules and Regulation Best Interest require recommendations in your best interest. Losses from unsuitable recommendations can be recovered.
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08
Concentration
Concentration is having too much of your money in one stock, sector, or type of investment. A broker who builds or keeps an over-concentrated portfolio without good reason exposes you to losses that diversification would have limited.
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09
Misrepresentations & Omissions
Misrepresentation is a broker giving you false or misleading information about an investment, or leaving out facts you needed to make a decision. Investors who relied on that information and lost money may recover their losses.
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10
Investment Advisor Misconduct
Registered Investment Advisors owe their clients a fiduciary duty: the highest standard of care, requiring loyalty and full disclosure of conflicts. When an advisor breaches that duty and you lose money, you may have a claim to recover it.
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11
U-4 & U-5 Violations
Forms U4 and U5 are the regulatory records that follow a broker through their career. A false or defamatory statement on a U5 termination notice, or an unfair customer complaint on a U4, can end a broker's career. Tracy Pride Stoneman also represents brokers in these disputes.
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12
Wrongful Termination
Wrongful termination is a firm firing a broker for an improper reason, such as reporting misconduct, refusing to break rules, or to avoid paying earned compensation. Brokers have legal options, and those disputes are usually decided in FINRA arbitration.
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13
Order Failure
Order failure is a broker or firm not carrying out your instructions correctly: a trade not placed, placed late, at the wrong price, or in the wrong amount. When that failure costs you money, the firm may be responsible for the difference.
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14
Elder Financial Abuse
Elder financial abuse is the exploitation of older investors by brokers, advisors, or others who take advantage of their trust or declining capacity. FINRA rules give firms specific tools to protect senior investors, and losses can be recovered.
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Your move
A free evaluation has no downside other than your time.
Tell me what happened. I will tell you honestly whether you have a case worth pursuing — and every way I can be paid, including contingency: nothing unless you recover.