Pacific Palisades Investment Fraud Lawyers & FINRA Attorneys

Bakhtiari & Harrison are Pacific Palisades investment fraud lawyers and FINRA attorneys representing investors in FINRA arbitration and securities litigation in Pacific Palisades and throughout the Westside of Los Angeles. Over four decades, the firm has recovered more than $250 million for clients. Ryan Bakhtiari served as Chairman of the FINRA National Arbitration and Mediation Committee and as President of PIABA. Partner David Harrison is a former New York City assistant district attorney and ex-Morgan Stanley in-house counsel who began his career as a Series 7-licensed registered representative at Shearson Lehman Brothers. Investor cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — no recovery, no fee. Initial consultations are free.

Investment fraud lawyers serving Pacific Palisades investors

Bakhtiari & Harrison are Pacific Palisades investment fraud lawyers and FINRA attorneys representing investors in FINRA arbitration and securities litigation in Pacific Palisades and throughout the Westside of Los Angeles. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles and has represented California investors for four decades — bringing local market knowledge and institutional expertise in FINRA arbitration that out-of-state investment fraud attorneys cannot match.

The Pacific Palisades investor community includes entertainment industry principals, technology executives, and high-net-worth families. Pacific Palisades sits at the intersection of entertainment industry wealth and Silicon Beach technology wealth. Investors span a wide range — from entertainment veterans to technology entrepreneurs with recent equity liquidity events.

Common investment fraud claims for Pacific Palisades investors

Bakhtiari & Harrison represents Pacific Palisades investors in a wide range of FINRA arbitration and securities litigation claims. Common claim types include:

• Broker fraud and misrepresentation: false statements or omissions of material fact in connection with the sale of a security, actionable under California Corporations Code § 25401 and federal securities law.
• Unsuitable investment recommendations: recommendations inconsistent with the client’s age, risk tolerance, financial situation, or investment objectives under FINRA Rule 2111 and Regulation Best Interest.
• Unauthorized trading: transactions executed without the client’s prior knowledge or approval, actionable under California Corporations Code § 25235.
• Churning: excessive trading to generate commissions at the client’s expense, actionable under California Corporations Code § 25218.
• Overconcentration: failure to diversify, exposing the client to catastrophic loss in a single security, sector, or product.
• Failure to supervise: the brokerage firm’s independent liability under FINRA Rule 3110.
• Elder financial fraud: exploitation of elderly investors through unsuitable recommendations, unauthorized trading, or variable annuity abuse.
• Ponzi and pyramid schemes: fraudulent investment schemes paying earlier investors from new capital rather than genuine returns.

Pacific Palisades investor profile — local fraud patterns

Pacific Palisades investors have been targeted for private placements, hedge fund interests, and structured products by advisers operating in the Westside corridor.

Pacific Palisades FINRA arbitration — what investors need to know

Most investor disputes against FINRA-registered broker-dealers are resolved through FINRA arbitration — because brokerage account agreements almost universally contain pre-dispute arbitration clauses. FINRA arbitration hearings for Pacific Palisades investors are typically held at 300 South Grand Ave, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

Bakhtiari & Harrison has appeared before FINRA arbitration panels serving the Pacific Palisades market and brings genuine familiarity with the regional arbitrator pool to every case — a direct strategic advantage in panel selection and hearing preparation.

How a Pacific Palisades investment fraud attorney pursues your claim — step by step

1. Free consultation. Bakhtiari & Harrison reviews your account statements, trade confirmations, and the circumstances of your losses at no charge.
2. File a Statement of Claim. The firm files with FINRA on your behalf, identifying the respondent and specifying damages.
3. Select the arbitration panel. For claims over $100,000, a three-arbitrator panel is appointed. The firm’s experience with the Pacific Palisades FINRA arbitrator pool informs panel selection strategy.
4. Complete discovery. Both sides exchange account statements, trade confirmations, suitability questionnaires, internal firm communications, and supervisory records.
5. Attend the hearing at 300 South Grand Ave, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90071.
6. Receive the award. The panel issues a binding written award, typically within 30 days of the final hearing session. Awards are enforceable in federal court.

California securities law — additional protections

California investors have access to protections under both federal securities law and California’s Corporate Securities Law of 1968 — the Blue Sky laws. California law provides additional remedies and in some cases longer periods to bring certain claims. Bakhtiari & Harrison’s Pacific Palisades investment fraud attorneys are experienced in asserting California state law claims alongside federal claims in FINRA arbitration proceedings.

The Central District of California is the federal court serving the Pacific Palisades area. Bakhtiari & Harrison’s attorneys are admitted in this district and have litigated securities cases there throughout their careers.

Why choose Bakhtiari & Harrison as your Pacific Palisades investment fraud attorney

• $250 million+ recovered. Four decades of FINRA arbitration and securities litigation results for investors throughout California and nationwide.
• FINRA leadership. Ryan Bakhtiari served as Chairman of the FINRA National Arbitration and Mediation Committee and as President of PIABA, and is a Super Lawyer 2005–2026. Partner David Harrison is a former New York City assistant district attorney and ex-Morgan Stanley in-house counsel who began his career as a Series 7-licensed registered representative at Shearson Lehman Brothers.
• California Corporations Code expertise. The firm layers California state law claims alongside federal claims to maximize recovery options.
• Contingency fee representation. No recovery, no fee. Initial consultations are free.

For a full overview of the firm’s statewide practice, California legal framework, and complete list of California locations served, visit the California Investment Fraud Lawyers page.

For more information about the firm’s broader regional practice in this area, visit the Los Angeles Investment Fraud & FINRA Attorneys page.

Frequently asked questions — Pacific Palisades investment fraud

What investment fraud is most common for Pacific Palisades investors?

Private placements and structured products at the high end of the complexity spectrum, and equity management strategies for technology professionals with concentrated positions.

Can I file a FINRA claim from Pacific Palisades?

Yes. Bakhtiari & Harrison represents Westside investors on a contingency basis. Call (800) 382-7969.

How does FINRA arbitration protect Pacific Palisades investors?

FINRA arbitration is the primary mechanism for recovering losses from registered brokers. It is private and requires no upfront legal fees.

Is FINRA arbitration confidential?

Yes — FINRA arbitration is a private proceeding, not public record.

Contact a Pacific Palisades investment fraud lawyer — free consultation

If you have suffered investment losses in Pacific Palisades or anywhere in California, contact Bakhtiari & Harrison for a free, confidential consultation. Our Pacific Palisades investment fraud attorneys and FINRA attorneys review every potential case at no charge.