Blog

When is a Claim for Damages too Late?

The short answer is when the claim is filed after the time deadline has expired.  That deadline is known as the statute of limitations.  In many state and federal cases, “too late” often means three years and a day from the date that the claim “arose.”  Simple enough.  But, what appears simple is often more […]

INVESTOR BROKERAGE AGREEMENTS ALWAYS FAVOR THE BROKER

We encounter many investors who are unaware that by investing in stocks and bonds they give up important constitutional rights. For example, they sacrifice their right to a jury trial if a broker negligently handles their account or steals from it or fails to follow the investor’s instructions. Every stockbroker in the United States compels […]

Known Contingent Risks Can Be As Perilous As Unknown Risks

Business equity buy outs are obviously burdened by more potential risks than asset purchases. The keen eye of experienced counsel can help a client peer beneath the muddy surface water, anticipate and plan for the hidden liability dangers inherent in the equity transaction. Yet, sometimes when the danger is not hidden at all but only […]

An Investor’s Story–The Making of a Winning Claim

Investors’ claims against a broker-dealer must be arbitrated. There is no right for an investor to make his or her claim in a court. So, there is no point in rehashing what we last said in this space. For the present, that is the law of the land. Thus, when an investor’s arbitration claim is […]

Buying Securities On Margin—Hold Onto Your Watch and Wallet

Smooth talking brokers will tell you that when buying on margin, an investor is using his broker’s money. That’s nonsense. The margin buyer is borrowing his own money and, adding insult to injury, paying interest and commissions to his or her broker for the privilege. The broker makes money, no matter what. The investor is […]

Justice For Older Investors

The 2010 Elder Justice Act (EJA) is part of the Health Protection and Affordable Care Act. Everyone knows that there has been a lot of public discussion and legal controversy over parts of the health care law. However, none of it has involved EJA, a successor to the Older Americans Act. The purpose of EJA […]

Selecting Your Broker, The Essentials

If all you want from a broker is the ability to buy or sell a security on one of the national markets, the Yellow Pages my serve your purpose.  If you plan to entrust a broker with more than that, say your life savings, there are a few preliminary but essential steps you must take […]