Before seeking to sue a broker-dealer, it’s important that you take a step back and ask yourself a few questions:
- What harm did I suffer?
- Who was at fault?
- How can I prove that what happened was wrong?
If your answers demonstrate that you can prove you’ve been harmed by someone in the industry, and you want to sue, you can consider what you might recover in damages.
If you choose to move forward with a suit, it’s important that you speak with an attorney who’s familiar with FINRA’s arbitration forum and capable of handling your case. To best prepare yourself for that conversation, put together any information that could be essential to prove that you were harmed.
Composing a detailed account of what transpired will save both you and your attorney time when getting to the key aspects of your case. It will give your attorney an idea of what documentary evidence may exist in your case, as well, whether there are emails, company documents, etc.
Do not start printing company emails that standing policies prohibit you from printing or obtaining records that you shouldn’t — but do go to your attorney with an idea of what can be expected to be found through the standard discovery process. List everyone who has or should have knowledge pertaining to the situation through which you were harmed to identify those involved and help drive the conversation with your attorney.
Once you’ve compiled the facts and names involved, schedule a consultation with an attorney who has experience working with FINRA members and registered representatives. AdvisorLaw provides advisor-focused representation and offers free consultations.