Santa Monica Investment Fraud Attorneys & FINRA Lawyers

Investment fraud lawyers serving Santa Monica investors

Bakhtiari & Harrison are Santa Monica investment fraud lawyers and FINRA attorneys representing investors in FINRA arbitration and securities litigation in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica investor community includes entertainment industry professionals, technology entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth households on the Westside. Santa Monica’s Silicon Beach corridor has become one of the most active technology startup hubs in Southern California, producing professionals with equity compensation and startup equity. Advisers have recommended standard high-commission products entirely unsuitable for these investors.

Common investment fraud claims for Santa Monica investors

Bakhtiari & Harrison represents Santa Monica 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.

Santa Monica investor profile — local fraud patterns

Santa Monica investors with complex compensation structures — equity grants, deferred compensation, carried interest, and royalty income — have had accounts mishandled through overconcentration and unsuitable alternative investments.

Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 — Santa Monica investment fraud

I am a Santa Monica technology professional with RSUs — can an adviser be liable for mishandling these?

Yes. Advisers must make recommendations suitable for your specific financial situation under FINRA Rule 2111 and Regulation Best Interest. Mishandling RSU vesting strategy can give rise to a FINRA arbitration claim.

What is the most common investment fraud affecting Santa Monica investors?

Unsuitable alternative investment recommendations to entertainment and technology professionals whose income creates periodic large cash positions directed into high-commission illiquid products.

Does Bakhtiari & Harrison represent Santa Monica investors?

Yes. The firm’s Los Angeles headquarters is close to Santa Monica. Initial consultations are free and cases are handled on contingency.

How does FINRA arbitration work for a Santa Monica investor?

Hearings are held at the Los Angeles FINRA regional office at 300 South Grand Ave. The process typically takes 12 to 18 months from filing to award.

Contact a Santa Monica investment fraud lawyer — free consultation

If you have suffered investment losses in Santa Monica or anywhere in California, contact Bakhtiari & Harrison for a free, confidential consultation. Our Santa Monica investment fraud attorneys and 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