New York City Investment Fraud Lawyers & FINRA Attorneys
Investment fraud lawyers serving New York City and the New York Metro area
New York City is the undisputed center of the United States financial industry — home to the major broker-dealers, investment banks, hedge funds, and registered investment advisers whose misconduct generates the largest and most complex FINRA arbitration cases in the country. New York City investors include individual retail investors, high-net-worth professionals, family offices, and institutional investors, all of whom face the full spectrum of broker misconduct that Bakhtiari & Harrison has prosecuted in FINRA arbitration for four decades.
Bakhtiari & Harrison has specific New York credentials that distinguish it from California-only firms. David Harrison is admitted in New York and served as a New York City assistant district attorney before his career in securities law. Ryan Bakhtiari is admitted in the Southern District of New York — the federal court that covers Manhattan and handles the largest securities litigation cases in the country. FINRA arbitration hearings for New York City investors are held at the New York FINRA hearing location at One Liberty Plaza.
Investment fraud and misconduct claims we handle
- Unsuitable investment recommendations: brokers who recommend investments inconsistent with an investor’s risk tolerance, financial situation, or investment objectives violate FINRA Rule 2111 and Regulation Best Interest.
- Broker fraud and misrepresentation: material misstatements and omissions of fact in connection with an investment recommendation are actionable under federal securities law and FINRA rules.
- Unauthorized trading: executing transactions in a client’s account without prior authorization violates the client’s account agreement and FINRA rules.
- Churning and excessive trading: excessive trading to generate commissions at the investor’s expense is actionable as a suitability violation and a breach of the duty of care.
- Overconcentration: failing to maintain adequate diversification — placing an excessive proportion of assets in a single security, sector, or product — is a suitability violation.
- Product failure: unsuitable recommendations of complex or illiquid investment products including non-traded REITs, structured notes, variable annuities, leveraged ETFs, and private placements.
- Elder financial fraud: financial professionals who exploit elderly or vulnerable investors face enhanced liability under federal and state elder financial abuse statutes.
- Failure to supervise: brokerage firms bear independent liability under FINRA Rule 3110 for failing to adequately supervise their registered representatives.
New York securities law — Martin Act
New York investors have access to the Martin Act — New York’s blue sky law — in addition to federal securities law. The Martin Act is one of the most powerful securities statutes in the country, providing broad prohibitions on fraudulent practices in the offer and sale of securities. New York State’s Martin Act claims can be pursued alongside federal and FINRA claims for New York investors. Bakhtiari & Harrison evaluates New York state law claims as part of every New York investor engagement.
Why choose Bakhtiari & Harrison as your New York City investment fraud lawyers
- $250 million+ recovered. Four decades of results for investors in FINRA arbitration and securities litigation nationwide.
- Former FINRA NAMC Chairman. Ryan Bakhtiari served as Chairman of the FINRA National Arbitration and Mediation Committee from 2013 to 2017 — the body that writes the rules governing every FINRA arbitration proceeding.
- Former Morgan Stanley in-house counsel. David Harrison spent years as in-house counsel at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and began his career as a Series 7-licensed registered representative at Shearson Lehman Brothers — giving the firm direct institutional knowledge of how brokerage firms defend against investor claims.
- FINRA hearings near you. FINRA arbitration hearings are held at the regional hearing location nearest the claimant.
- Contingency fee representation. No recovery, no fee. Initial consultations are free.
For a full overview of the firm’s nationwide representation practice, visit the New York Investment Fraud Lawyers page.
Frequently asked questions — New York City investment fraud lawyers
Do I need a local New York City lawyer for a FINRA arbitration claim?
Not necessarily. FINRA arbitration hearings are held at the regional hearing location nearest the claimant’s residence — not at the attorney’s office. Bakhtiari & Harrison represents investors throughout the United States and appears at FINRA hearing locations nationwide. What matters most is the attorney’s specific FINRA arbitration experience and knowledge of the claims at issue, not their physical proximity to the client.
What is the deadline to file a FINRA arbitration claim in New York?
Under FINRA Rule 12206, claims must be filed within six years of the events giving rise to the dispute. New York investors may also have state law claims with their own limitations periods. Contact Bakhtiari & Harrison promptly — time limits are strictly enforced and missing the deadline permanently closes the claim.
Does Bakhtiari & Harrison have New York bar admission?
Yes. David Harrison is admitted in New York. Ryan Bakhtiari is admitted in the Southern District of New York (federal court). This means New York City investors have direct access to New York-admitted counsel for both FINRA arbitration and New York federal court securities litigation. David Harrison’s background as a New York City assistant district attorney also gives him specific knowledge of New York’s legal landscape.
What makes New York City investment fraud claims different from other markets?
New York City’s investor base includes more sophisticated, high-net-worth, and institutional investors than most markets — which means both the fraud patterns and the defenses are more complex. Wall Street firms routinely argue that sophisticated New York investors cannot have been misled. Bakhtiari & Harrison has specific experience defeating the sophistication defense in FINRA arbitration and federal court securities litigation.
Contact our New York City investment fraud lawyers — free consultation
Contact Bakhtiari & Harrison for a free, confidential consultation. Our FINRA attorneys evaluate every potential investor claim at no charge. Investor cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — no recovery, no fee.
Investor cases are handled on a contingency fee basis — no recovery, no fee.
Call: (800) 382-7969 | Contact Us