Form U5 Terminations & New Customer Dispute Allegations
Form U5 Terminations & New Customer Dispute Allegations
Form U5 Terminations
& New Customer Dispute Allegations
Protecting Your Career from Disclosure Claims
Don't let frivolous complaints or industry attacks derail your career. We provide FINRA U5 expungement support to protect you against new customer dispute allegations – including seeking redress for financial advisor wrongful termination.
We recognize that a vast majority of new customer disputes are brought by investors or their counsel simply to extract a quick "nuisance settlement" from the firm. In these cases, it almost always costs the firm more to litigate than to write a nominal check. That can be the right decision for the firm, but not for an individual advisor.
The result for you? A damaging new customer dispute disclosure is permanently affixed to your Form U4, CRD, BrokerCheck, IAPD, IARD, and ADV records.
- Fraud and Material Misrepresentation or Omission
- Churning and Unsuitability
- Unauthorized Trading
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty or Breach of Contract
- Negligence and Failure to Supervise
- Violation of rules, acts, or laws
You already know that, when unfounded, these allegations can lead to undeserved and major complications and career setbacks. However, there’s another issue that can complicate dispute resolution for financial advisors.
When a new investor complaint arises, most broker-dealers and RIAs offer the financial advisor legal representation through in-house or contracted counsel.
Be aware: These company-provided attorneys will clearly state that they represent the firm, not you as an individual. The firm's priority is limiting its own liability, often at the expense of your professional record. Company-provided attorneys may not have your best interests as their primary focus.
AdvisorLaw only has one interest in mind: you. We are focused solely on protecting your livelihood and professional record, including support for U5 termination expungement and financial advisor wrongful termination issues.
Our team of experienced specialists fights aggressively to defend your name and expunge inaccurate disclosures. Our focus is on your career, your record, and your ability to continue practicing as a financial advisor.
Protecting Your Career from Disclosure Attacks
Protecting Your Career from Disclosure Claims
Don't let frivolous complaints or industry attacks derail your career. We provide FINRA U5 expungement support to protect you against new customer dispute allegations – including seeking redress for financial advisor wrongful termination.
We recognize that a vast majority of new customer disputes are brought by investors or their counsel simply to extract a quick "nuisance settlement" from the firm. In these cases, it almost always costs the firm more to litigate than to write a nominal check. That can be the right decision for the firm, but not for an individual advisor.
The result for you? A damaging new customer dispute disclosure is permanently affixed to your Form U4, CRD, BrokerCheck, IAPD, IARD, and ADV records.
Common Investor Allegations
- Fraud and Material Misrepresentation or Omission
- Churning and Unsuitability
- Unauthorized Trading
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty or Breach of Contract
- Negligence and Failure to Supervise
- Violation of rules, acts, or laws
You already know that, when unfounded, these allegations can lead to undeserved and major complications and career setbacks. However, there’s another issue that can complicate dispute resolution for financial advisors.
- Fraud and Material Misrepresentation or Omission
- Churning and Unsuitability
- Unauthorized Trading
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty or Breach of Contract
- Negligence and Failure to Supervise
- Violation of rules, acts, or laws
The Conflict of Interest in Representation
When a new investor complaint arises, most broker-dealers and RIAs offer the financial advisor legal representation through in-house or contracted counsel.
Be aware: These company-provided attorneys will clearly state that they represent the firm, not you as an individual. The firm's priority is limiting its own liability, often at the expense of your professional record. Company-provided attorneys may not have your best interests as their primary focus.
AdvisorLaw only has one interest in mind: you. We are focused solely on protecting your livelihood and professional record, including support for U5 termination expungement and financial advisor wrongful termination issues.
Our team of experienced specialists fights aggressively to defend your name and expunge inaccurate disclosures. Our focus is on your career, your record, and your ability to continue practicing as a financial advisor.
What Our Clients
Say About Us
What Our Clients
Say About Us
"I had 2 frivolous disclosures on my record and asked AdvisorLaw to help me get them removed. They were successful in both cases. My experience was they were well organized and knowledgeable and most importantly they were effective at getting the job done. I highly recommend them."
- Glen Anderson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Hiring the best = worth It! I hired AdvisorLaw in early 2020 to help me remove 1 termination and 3 customer claims from my BrokerCheck page. With Covid and the economy and everything else going on, I was worried about the expense. But the disclosures on my record were doing so much damage that I knew removing them could pay for itself."
- Sara McClain ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"As I left a major wirehouse, I was unjustly and unfairly accused. The kind folks at AdvisorLaw guided me through the system. I had given up on clearing my name but they were able to handle everything honestly and with the regulators agreeing. I couldn't get it done by myself. Thank you!"
- Montee Sneed ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"They were totally professional and we accomplished everything we set out to get clarified. It feels so good to have my name back. It is unfortunate that the system requires this process when you have nothing to do with a case. They were so organized and clearly explained the process and we got it done. I also gave their name to someone who had problems with a previous advisor. She was happy with her outcome."
- Damian Dering ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I worked with Advisor Law to have a frivolous complaint removed from Broker Check. While FINRA determined there was no validity to the complaint I needed to take action to clear my record.Advisor Law was easy to work with, did exactly what they said they would do, exactly when they said they would do it, and coached me through the process.While I never want to experience this type of event again, I would call them in a heart beat should the need arise."
- Mark Edwards⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Great people to have in your corner. Very professional, knowledgeable, and results oriented. I'm glad they are on my team. When I needed defense over a bogus claim, they were amazing, and protected me and my team."
- Dean Owen⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Advisor Law's knowledge, detail oriented, and expertise, are excellent. I had worked with an attorney previously and they did nothing compared to what Advisor Law was able to accomplish. Truely a professional organization who cared about my case, took responsibility and treated me with utmost respect. I recommend contacting Advisor Law and see if they can help your situation!"
- Patty Loris⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Chelsea and the entire team were fantastic to deal with. Diligent and patient through a grinding process, and they really helped me through some challenges. So appreciate their help in providing justice to my records, comprehensive preparation for hearings and taking the reins in my expungement process. Thank You!!"
- Bob Krieger⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Advisor Law was great to work with, and they made everything fast and easy. They helped me with my case, and a favorable outcome. The attorney they had me working with was professional, courteous, and knew what he was doing."
- Rinaldo Crassa⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Wonderful experience with results exactly as advertised. They were able to clean up my U4 that were not reflective of my professional record."
- Thomas Clark⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Advisor Law provided terrific service with my expungement cases. Their direct professional care was highly successful to remove nuisance records for me. I would highly recommend everyone at Advisor Law as the team effort yielded superior results."
- David Bindelglass⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Navigating Threatened
Form U4 or U5 Terminations
Navigating Threatened Form
U4 or U5 Terminations
Navigating Threatened Form U4 or U5 Terminations
Navigating Threatened
Form U4 or U5 Terminations
Allegiances fade quickly during times of transition. If you were terminated by your broker-dealer or RIA, or if a Form U4 or U5 termination is imminent, securing independent counsel is critical. Having your own counsel for support can help you protect your livelihood.
Your firm may use the language on your Form U5 as leverage or a weapon to retain your clients or impose restrictive conditions. If regulatory or firm policy violations are alleged, this termination may be the first step in a much larger FINRA or SEC enforcement investigation.
We provide immediate counsel to address these critical concerns:
- Defamatory allegations were entered on your Form U4 or U5 disclosure.
- Misrepresentation of the facts surrounding your departure.
- Defamatory allegations were entered on your Form U4 or U5 disclosure.
- Misrepresentation of the facts surrounding your departure.
- Negotiating U5 termination language to accurately reflect a voluntary separation.
- Handling Notes Payable disputes and Broker Protocol or non-compete issues.
- Mitigating the risk of a resulting FINRA enforcement investigation.
- Negotiating U5 termination language to accurately reflect a voluntary separation.
- Handling Notes Payable disputes and Broker Protocol or non-compete issues.
- Mitigating the risk of a resulting FINRA enforcement investigation.
Do not risk your continued employment. Potential hiring firms are often hesitant to onboard advisors with U5 termination disclosures indicating anything other than a "voluntary" separation.
Negotiating the finer points of a potential U5 disclosure now saves you significant time, money, and headaches associated with trying to expunge it later. While our team also offers support for U5 termination expungement, we can help with negotiations well before reaching the point where a U5 expungement is needed.
Meet Your Experts
Meet Your Experts
Tad Burton, J.D.
Managing Director
of Client Relations
Jennifer Cox, J.D.
Senior Associate
Nathaniel Cousar
Account Development Representative
Dalton Hodges
Lead Administrative
Law Assistant
Josephine Jiron
Account Development
Representative
Jason Kirkland
Executive Director
Meredith McNulty
Account Development
Manager
Tyler Reynolds, J.D.
Associate
Ric Rivard
Business Development Executive
Sheyla Serrano
Client Relations Manager
Daniel Simms
Account Development
Representative
Janay Simmons
Administrative
Law Assistant
Carla Smith
Discovery & Investor Services Manager
Discovery & Investor
Services Manager
Michael Wunderlich
Discovery & Investor
Services Manager
Discovery & Investor Services Manager
Claims Against Employers
& Business Partners
Claims Against Employers
& Business Partners
Claims Against Employers & Business Partners
Claims Against Employers & Business Partners
Our Experts
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a critical conflict of interest. Your firm’s compliance and legal teams represent the firm's interests, not yours. Their priority is limiting the company's liability and regulatory exposure, which often results in "nuisance settlements" that are easier for the firm but leave a permanent, damaging mark on your personal BrokerCheck and CRD records. AdvisorLaw represents only you, fighting to have the disclosure either expunged or avoided altogether.
Yes. Allegiances fade quickly during transitions. Firms often use the "Reason for Termination" section on Form U5 as a competitive weapon to retain your clients or justify restrictive non-compete conditions. Furthermore, potential hiring firms are often hesitant to onboard an advisor with any disclosure other than "voluntary." Negotiating this language before it is filed is far more effective than trying to fix a defamatory disclosure later.
Most new customer disputes involve aggressive allegations intended to force a quick settlement. These include:
- Unsuitability or Churning: Claiming investments didn't match their risk profile.
- Misrepresentation: Alleging you omitted key risks or facts.
- Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Claiming you didn't act in their best interest.
- Negligence: General claims of failure to supervise or follow rules. Even if these claims are factually incorrect, they will remain on your public record permanently unless you take action to expunge them.
Expungement is the legal process of removing inaccurate or false information from your professional record. To succeed, we must prove to a FINRA arbitration panel that the claim is factually impossible, clearly erroneous, or false. AdvisorLaw specializes in navigating these hearings, presenting evidence—such as trade confirmations and client communication logs—to restore your record to its "impeccable" status.
It is not too late, but timing is critical. Once a Form U5 is filed, you generally have a limited window to seek expungement through FINRA arbitration. If the disclosure is already on BrokerCheck, it is already impacting your reputation and ability to attract new clients. We can provide immediate counsel to challenge defamatory allegations, misrepresentations of your departure, or resulting FINRA enforcement investigations.
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