High Net Worth Investor Attorneys – Bakhtiari & Harrison

Written and reviewed by

David Harrison, Partner — Bakhtiari & Harrison

Admitted: CA | NY · Super Lawyers 2015–2026 · Former NYC Assistant District Attorney · Former Morgan Stanley In-House Counsel · Series 7 Licensed · Last reviewed: April 2026

Bakhtiari & Harrison represents sophisticated and high net worth investors — including entertainment industry professionals, professional athletes, business owners, executives, family offices, and institutional investors — in complex securities disputes involving private placements, hedge funds, structured products, and other sophisticated investment instruments. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles, home to one of the largest concentrations of high-net-worth investors in the United States, and has represented high-profile clients for four decades with complete discretion. Over that period, the firm has recovered more than $250 million for clients. FINRA arbitration is a private proceeding — not public record — which is critical for clients for whom confidentiality is a priority. Investor cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — no recovery, no fee.

Why high net worth investors are disproportionately targeted

High net worth investors are among the most aggressively targeted demographic in the securities industry. Advisers who serve affluent clients are typically paid a percentage of assets under management — meaning larger portfolios generate more revenue, creating both a financial incentive to pursue high-net-worth clients and a conflict of interest in how those assets are managed. Accredited investor status — the threshold that makes individuals eligible to purchase unregistered private securities — is used by broker-dealers to recommend high-commission private placements and alternative investments that carry risks and fees that are inadequately disclosed.

Entertainment industry professionals, professional athletes, and business owners face an additional layer of vulnerability: busy schedules, trusted adviser relationships that predate significant wealth accumulation, and social networks in which investment recommendations travel through personal introductions rather than arms-length evaluations. These conditions create exactly the environment in which misconduct flourishes.

Common investment fraud claims involving high net worth investors

Private placement fraud: High net worth accredited investors are frequently recommended unregistered Regulation D private placement securities — startup equity, real estate funds, hedge fund interests, and other illiquid investments — with inadequately disclosed risks and embedded conflicts of interest. Bakhtiari & Harrison has handled significant private placement fraud claims on behalf of high-net-worth investors.
Overconcentration: Advisers sometimes overconcentrate high-net-worth portfolios in a single security, sector, or product — often the adviser’s own firm’s products or products in which the adviser has a personal financial interest. Overconcentration claims are among the most common in the high-net-worth investor market.
Hedge fund fraud: High net worth investors are frequently sold interests in hedge funds with inadequate disclosure of fees, strategy risks, liquidity terms, and adviser conflicts of interest. Bakhtiari & Harrison

represents investors in hedge fund fraud claims.

Unsuitable complex product recommendations: Structured notes, principal-protected products, complex annuity strategies, and other sophisticated instruments have been aggressively marketed to high-net-worth investors as exclusive solutions — with risks and fees that are inadequately disclosed.
Adviser self-dealing and breach of fiduciary duty: Investment advisers registered as RIAs owe a fiduciary duty to their clients. Self-dealing — recommending investments in which the adviser has an undisclosed financial interest — is both a securities law violation and a breach of fiduciary duty.

Professional athletes and entertainment industry professionals

Professional athletes and entertainment industry professionals face a distinct set of investment fraud risks. Their combination of significant wealth, busy schedules, trust-based adviser relationships, and irregular income creates conditions that bad actors specifically target. The firm has extensive experience representing professional athletes competing in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and other major sports leagues, as well as entertainment industry professionals across film, television, and music. Read more about how professional athletes can recover investment losses.

Discretion and confidentiality

FINRA arbitration is a private proceeding — not a court proceeding and not public record. The hearing, the evidence, and the award are confidential. This is a critical distinction for high-profile clients for whom public exposure of financial disputes could affect their professional reputation, endorsement relationships, or business dealings. Bakhtiari & Harrison handles all high-profile matters with complete discretion and is experienced in accommodating the privacy needs of prominent clients.

Complex financial structures and expert resources

High-net-worth investor claims frequently involve complex financial structures — family trusts, offshore entities, multiple adviser relationships, concentrated equity positions, and sophisticated investment products that require forensic financial analysis to properly evaluate. Bakhtiari & Harrison works with financial experts, forensic accountants, and damages analysts to fully evaluate each claim and build the strongest possible case for recovery.

Frequently asked questions — high net worth investors

Can a sophisticated investor still have a FINRA arbitration claim?

Yes. Sophistication and accredited investor status do not waive an investor’s right to suitable recommendations and honest disclosure. A recommendation that was unsuitable for the investor’s actual financial situation — regardless of their net worth or investment experience — is actionable under FINRA Rule 2111 and Regulation Best Interest. Private placement fraud is equally actionable for accredited investors as it is for retail investors. Bakhtiari & Harrison evaluates all high-net-worth investor claims at no charge.

Is FINRA arbitration appropriate for large claims?

Yes. There is no cap on damages in FINRA arbitration. The firm’s $54.1 million award against Citigroup — the largest FINRA arbitration award ever levied against a major Wall Street brokerage in favor of individual investors — demonstrates that FINRA panels will award very large damages, including punitive damages, when the facts warrant it. For very large claims, Bakhtiari & Harrison evaluates whether FINRA arbitration, court litigation, or a combination of approaches is the most effective recovery strategy.

How does the firm protect the confidentiality of high-profile clients?

FINRA arbitration hearings are private and not open to the public. The case filings, evidence, and award are not public record unless a court confirmation proceeding is required. The firm does not disclose client information, case details, or outcomes without explicit client consent. All consultations are confidential.

Does the firm represent family offices and institutional investors?

Yes. Bakhtiari & Harrison represents family offices, trusts, foundations, and institutional investors in FINRA arbitration and securities litigation. Claims on behalf of entities rather than individuals have the same legal basis as individual investor claims and are handled with the same expertise and resources.

Contact a high net worth investor attorney — free consultation

Contact Bakhtiari & Harrison for a free, confidential consultation. Our FINRA attorneys review every potential case at no charge.

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

Call: (800) 382-7969 | Contact Us