Industry Insights

Industry Insights

Industry Insights

Industry Insights


Navigate the complexities of financial advising with AdvisorLaw's Industry Insights. Our experts provide actionable analysis on critical areas impacting your practice, including the latest FINRA and SEC/state regulations for brokers, RIAs, and IARs, the nuances of dual registration, strategic insights into Mergers & Acquisitions, evolving enforcement trends, practical regulatory compliance strategies, and effective succession planning. Stay informed, compliant, and positioned for growth with AdvisorLaw's perspectives.

30-Year Industry Veteran Expunges 2024 Termination Disclosure
Case Results & Wins

30-Year Industry Veteran Expunges 2024 Termination Disclosure

In July 2024, a seasoned financial advisor (FA) in Glencoe, Illinois, faced a misleading termination disclosure on his Central Registration Depository (CRD) and public BrokerCheck® records.
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Regulatory Expectations In The Digital Age
FINRA, SEC, State & CFP Board Enforcement RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

Regulatory Expectations In The Digital Age

The financial world thrives on connection — it's built on conversations, insights shared, and relationships nurtured. But in today's hyper-connected reality, the very tools that strengthen those connections can become...
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Illinois Advisor Clears Record Of Misleading Termination Allegation
Case Results & Wins

Illinois Advisor Clears Record Of Misleading Termination Allegation

In January 2013, an investment adviser representative (IAR) in Edwardsville, Illinois, faced a misleading Form U5 termination entry on his Central Registration Depository (CRD) and public BrokerCheck® records.
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SEC Signals Potential Shift In State Advisor AUM Threshold
Dual-Registrants FINRA, SEC, State & CFP Board Enforcement RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

SEC Signals Potential Shift In State Advisor AUM Threshold

In 2022, a dedicated New York-based financial advisor (FA) with an unblemished, six-year career faced a damaging Form U5 termination entry on his Central Registration Depository (CRD) and public BrokerCheck®...
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Navigating The SEC’s Marketing Rule: Clarity & Caution For RIAs
FINRA, SEC, State & CFP Board Enforcement RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

Navigating The SEC’s Marketing Rule: Clarity & Caution For RIAs

The world of investment advisory marketing just got a little clearer, thanks to the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) recent publication of crucial guidance on its
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Michigan Advisor Clears Records Of False Forgery Allegation
Case Results & Wins

Michigan Advisor Clears Records Of False Forgery Allegation

A Michigan financial advisor successfully cleared his BrokerCheck® and CRD records, expunging a false forgery allegation on a fixed-index annuity application. Learn how HLBS Law secured FINRA expungement for this...
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Window For Expunging Settled Investor Complaints Closes October 2025
FINRA | Brokers FINRA Disputes & U5 Terminations FINRA Expungement & Arbitration FINRA, SEC, State & CFP Board Enforcement

Window For Expunging Settled Investor Complaints Closes October 2025

The rules around FINRA expungement have changed — and the clock is ticking for certain disclosures. FINRA’s updated rules set a firm October 2025 deadline for
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AdvisorLaw Spotlight: Janet Messer
AdvisorLaw Spotlight

AdvisorLaw Spotlight: Janet Messer

Meet a vital member of the AdvisorLaw family: Janet Messer! With 20+ years of experience across the financial services spectrum — from banks to broker-dealers, to RIAs – Janet's insights...
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When Compliance Gets Compromised: The Private Equity Problem Facing RIAs
Private Funds RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

When Compliance Gets Compromised: The Private Equity Problem Facing RIAs

Is private equity compromising RIA compliance? Learn about the shift from service to scale in PE-backed compliance firms, the risks of cookie-cutter solutions, and what RIAs can do to find...
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New Jersey Advisor Clears Record of Two False Customer Disputes
Case Results & Wins

New Jersey Advisor Clears Record of Two False Customer Disputes

For an entire decade, this New Jersey-based financial advisor (FA) had unblemished Central Registration Depository (CRD) and public BrokerCheck® records — when his record was marred with the first of...
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Currently-Unregistered Advisor Clears Records With Termination Expungement
Case Results & Wins

Currently-Unregistered Advisor Clears Records With Termination Expungement

We're closely monitoring recent developments regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) potential re-evaluation of the assets under management (AUM) threshold that distinguishes state-registered investment advisors
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Steps To Prepare Your RIA For The SEC’s Cybersecurity Rules
Dual-Registrants RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

Steps To Prepare Your RIA For The SEC’s Cybersecurity Rules

The SEC's new 2025 cybersecurity rules are here for RIAs. Get a step-by-step guide to develop policies, incident response, vendor oversight, and more. Prepare your RIA for compliance with AdvisorLaw's...
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Beyond The Marketplace: Finding Real RIA Acquisition Opportunities
Acquisition Dual-Registrants Mergers & Acquisitions SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

Beyond The Marketplace: Finding Real RIA Acquisition Opportunities

Tired of crowded RIA acquisition marketplaces? Discover off-market opportunities through our curated Practice Purchase Network, leveraging your compliance relationship for targeted connections and efficient growth. Find your ideal acquisition beyond...
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New York Advisor Wins Expungement Of 2023 Customer Complaint
Case Results & Wins

New York Advisor Wins Expungement Of 2023 Customer Complaint

In 2023, this seasoned New York-based financial advisor (FA) with nearly three decades of unblemished service faced a damaging customer dispute on his CRD and public BrokerCheck® records.
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Navigating The Encrypted Messaging Maze: A Guide For RIAs
FINRA, SEC, State & CFP Board Enforcement RIA Compliance SEC & State | RIAs & IARs

Navigating The Encrypted Messaging Maze: A Guide For RIAs

Encrypted messaging is a must for client privacy, but a risk for RIAs. Learn how to balance both. Our guide covers policies, training, monitoring, documentation, and compliance.
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New York Advisor’s Records Expunged Of Sole Disclosure From 2023
Case Results & Wins

New York Advisor’s Records Expunged Of Sole Disclosure From 2023

In 2023, after over two decades of exemplary service in the financial industry, this New York-based advisor faced a termination disclosure on his CRD and public BrokerCheck® records.
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AdvisorLaw Spotlight: Alex Padla, J.D.
AdvisorLaw Spotlight

AdvisorLaw Spotlight: Alex Padla, J.D.

We're highlighting Alex Padla, J.D. an invaluable member of the AdvisorLaw team! Alex is an associate attorney, licensed to practice law in Michigan. He has successfully secured expungements for advisors...
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FINRA Enforcement Actions Hits 8-Year High
FINRA | Brokers FINRA Disputes & U5 Terminations FINRA Expungement & Arbitration FINRA, SEC, State & CFP Board Enforcement

FINRA Enforcement Actions Hits 8-Year High

FINRA enforcement hits an 8-year high in 2024. Learn how AdvisorLaw's expert defense strategies protect your RIA career from increased regulatory scrutiny.
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Dallas Advisor’s Customer Dispute Expunged By FINRA Panel
Case Results & Wins

Dallas Advisor’s Customer Dispute Expunged By FINRA Panel

FINRA panel expunges customer dispute from Dallas advisor's record. Learn how AdvisorLaw and HLBS Law helped clear false allegations of unauthorized trading and restore his reputation.
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The Hidden Threat Of Investor Attorneys
Dual-Registrants FINRA | Brokers

The Hidden Threat Of Investor Attorneys

As a financial advisor, your reputation is your most valuable asset. It’s what attracts clients, builds trust, and sustains your career. But what happens when a meritless customer dispute disclosure...
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