Los Angeles Investment Fraud Lawyers at Bakhtiari & Harrison

Investment fraud lawyers serving Los Angeles investors

Los Angeles is the largest financial market on the West Coast and one of the most active broker-dealer markets in the United States. The density of registered representatives, investment advisers, and financial product distributors — combined with the region’s high concentration of high-net-worth households, entertainment industry professionals, professional athletes, and business owners — makes Los Angeles investors disproportionately targeted for broker misconduct and investment fraud.

Bakhtiari & Harrison is headquartered in Los Angeles and has represented investors throughout the metro area — from Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and Pacific Palisades to the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, and the South Bay — for four decades. When you need a Los Angeles investment fraud attorney, the firm brings local market knowledge that out-of-state counsel cannot match.

Common investment fraud claims for Los Angeles investors

Bakhtiari & Harrison prosecutes a wide range of investor claims in FINRA arbitration and California state and federal courts on behalf of Los Angeles investors. 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 that do not match the client’s age, risk tolerance, financial situation, or investment objectives under FINRA Rule 2111 and Regulation Best Interest.
• Unauthorized trading: transactions executed in a client’s account without 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 a portfolio, exposing the client to catastrophic loss in a single security, sector, or product.
• Failure to supervise: the brokerage firm’s independent liability when it fails to detect or prevent a broker’s misconduct under FINRA Rule 3110.
• Elder financial fraud: exploitation of elderly investors through unsuitable recommendations, unauthorized trading, or variable annuity abuse — a significant issue in the Los Angeles senior investor community.
• Ponzi and pyramid schemes: fraudulent investment schemes paying earlier investors from new capital rather than genuine returns. Los Angeles has been the location of significant Ponzi scheme activity targeting entertainment industry investors and high-net-worth households.

Los Angeles investor profile — why local knowledge matters

Los Angeles investors include a disproportionate share of entertainment industry professionals — actors, directors, producers, musicians, and athletes — whose income is often irregular, lump-sum, and heavily targeted by financial advisers offering complex or high-commission products. Non-traded REITs, private placements, structured notes, and alternative investments have been aggressively marketed to this demographic, and they represent a significant share of the investor claims the firm handles from this region.

The firm has represented professional athletes and entertainment industry clients in claims involving millions of dollars in investment losses caused by trusted financial advisers. This direct experience with high-profile, high-net-worth Los Angeles investor claims sets the firm apart from other investment fraud attorneys in the market.

Beyond the entertainment industry, the Los Angeles market includes a large and growing population of technology and aerospace professionals concentrated in Silicon Beach, El Segundo, and the South Bay, as well as a significant high-net-worth retiree community in communities including Hancock Park, Bel Air, and Rancho Palos Verdes who are frequently targeted for income-generating investment products that carry undisclosed risks.

Los Angeles FINRA arbitration — what investors need to know

Most investor disputes against FINRA-registered broker-dealers are resolved through FINRA arbitration rather than court — because brokerage account agreements almost universally contain pre-dispute arbitration clauses requiring it. For Los Angeles investors, FINRA arbitration hearings are held at the Los Angeles regional hearing location at 300 South Grand Ave, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90071.

Bakhtiari & Harrison has appeared before the Los Angeles FINRA arbitrator panel for decades and brings genuine familiarity with the regional arbitrator pool to every case — an advantage that matters directly in panel selection strategy and hearing preparation.

How a Los Angeles 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 to determine whether you have a viable FINRA arbitration or securities litigation claim.
2. File a Statement of Claim. The firm files the claim with FINRA on your behalf, identifying the respondent brokerage firm and broker, setting out the facts and legal theories, and specifying damages sought.
3. Select the arbitration panel. For claims over $100,000, a three-arbitrator panel is appointed. The firm’s decades of experience with the Los Angeles FINRA arbitrator pool informs the 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. Both sides present evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine. Hearings are held at the Los Angeles FINRA office at 300 South Grand Ave. The firm’s attorneys are experienced Los Angeles FINRA hearing advocates.
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 for Los Angeles investors

California investors have access to protections under both federal securities law and California’s Corporate Securities Law of 1968 — the Blue Sky laws — under the California Corporations Code. California law provides additional remedies and in some cases longer periods to bring certain claims than federal law alone. Bakhtiari & Harrison’s Los Angeles investment fraud attorneys are experienced in asserting California state law claims in FINRA arbitration proceedings alongside federal claims, maximizing recovery options for Los Angeles investors.

The Central District of California — the federal district court covering the Los Angeles area — is one of the most active federal securities litigation venues in the country. Bakhtiari & Harrison’s attorneys are admitted in the Central District and have litigated securities cases there throughout their careers.

Los Angeles communities we serve

Bakhtiari & Harrison represents investors throughout the Los Angeles area. Select your specific community below for local investor profile information and fraud patterns relevant to your market.

Westside

In this area, the firm represents investors in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Bel Air, Beverlywood, and Culver City. Each community page provides specific local investor profile information, FINRA hearing details, and region-specific fraud patterns.

Central Los Angeles

In this area, the firm represents investors in Hancock Park, and Hollywood Hills. Each community page provides specific local investor profile information, FINRA hearing details, and region-specific fraud patterns.

San Fernando Valley

In this area, the firm represents investors in Encino, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Toluca Lake, and Hidden Hills. Each community page provides specific local investor profile information, FINRA hearing details, and region-specific fraud patterns.

South Bay and San Gabriel Valley

In this area, the firm represents investors in Manhattan Beach, and Pasadena. Each community page provides specific local investor profile information, FINRA hearing details, and region-specific fraud patterns.

Why choose Bakhtiari & Harrison as your Los Angeles investment fraud attorney

• $250 million+ recovered. Four decades of FINRA arbitration and securities litigation results for investors throughout Los Angeles and nationwide.
• FINRA leadership. 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 — giving the firm direct inside knowledge of how brokerage firms build their defenses.
• Los Angeles headquarters. The firm has operated in Los Angeles for four decades. This is not a national firm with a satellite office — Los Angeles is home.
• California Corporations Code expertise. The firm layers California state law claims alongside federal claims to maximize recovery options for Los Angeles investors.
• Contingency fee representation. No recovery, no fee. Initial consultations are free.

Bakhtiari & Harrison represents investors throughout California. For a full overview of the firm’s statewide practice, California legal framework, and complete list of California locations, visit the California Investment Fraud Lawyers page.

How long does FINRA arbitration take for a Los Angeles investor?

FINRA arbitration for Los Angeles investors typically takes 12 to 18 months from filing to award. Hearings are held at the FINRA Los Angeles regional office at 300 South Grand Ave. Cases involving larger damages or more complex facts may take longer. Bakhtiari & Harrison manages the full process from filing through the evidentiary hearing.

What is the deadline to file an investment fraud claim in California?

Under FINRA Rule 12206, claims must be filed within six years of the events giving rise to the dispute. California investors may also have claims under California Corporations Code with shorter limitations periods — some as short as two years from discovery. Consulting an attorney promptly is critical to preserving all available claims.

Can I recover investment losses from a Los Angeles broker without going to court?

Yes — most investor claims against Los Angeles-based brokers and brokerage firms are resolved through FINRA arbitration rather than court, because brokerage account agreements almost universally contain pre-dispute arbitration clauses. FINRA arbitration is typically faster and less expensive than court litigation.

Does Bakhtiari & Harrison take investment fraud cases on contingency?

Yes. Bakhtiari & Harrison handles all investor cases on a contingency fee basis — the firm is only paid if it recovers money for the client. There is no charge for the initial consultation and no upfront legal fees.

Contact a Los Angeles investment fraud lawyer — free consultation

If you have suffered investment losses in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, contact Bakhtiari & Harrison for a free, confidential consultation. Our Los Angeles FINRA attorneys review every potential case at no charge. Investor cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — no recovery, no fee.If you have suffered investment losses, contact Bakhtiari & Harrison for a free initial consultation.

Investor cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — no recovery, no fee.

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