Investment Fraud Attorneys in Grand Rapids, Michigan

For over three decades, our Grand-Rapids based law firm, Mika Meyers, PLC, has been helping victims of investment fraud and malpractice in west Michigan to recover their investment losses. We specialize in securities litigation and arbitration and have a track record of results that speaks for itself. We handle all types of investor claims, including claims against investment advisors and stock brokers. Contact us today if you have suffered investment losses due to fraud or negligent advice. You will receive a free, confidential consultation with a top-rated Grand Rapids investment loss attorney.

Here Are Some Common Investment Loss Claims We Handle for Grand Rapids Investors

For more than three decades, Mika Meyers, PLC has been helping investors recover damages in legal actions against unscrupulous financial advisors. Our experience includes representing Grand Rapids investors in state and federal courts, as well as in FINRA and AAA arbitration proceedings. Claims that we handle on behalf of Grand Rapids investors include the following:

• Securities Fraud: A typical securities fraud case involves a seller or broker inducing someone to purchase a security by intentionally misrepresenting or omitting material facts about the security. A securities fraud claim can be brought under state or federal law. If you are a west Michigan investor with questions about a possible securities fraud case, call Mika Meyers now to speak with a knowledgeable and experienced investment fraud attorney.
• Violations of the Michigan Uniform Securities Act (2002): In 2008, the Michigan legislature adopted the current version of the Michigan Uniform Securities Act, which contains various civil liability provisions. Some of the claims that can be brought under the statute relate to registration violations, including the sale of unregistered nonexempt securities in Michigan, or acting as a broker or investment advisor without the required registration. Other causes of action focus on misrepresentations, omissions, and other deceptive acts and practices in connection with the sale of securities. In addition to damages, an investor who prevails on a claim under the statute can recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.
• Regulation Best Interest: In 2019, the SEC issued Regulation BI to increase the standard of care that stockbrokers owe to retail customers. Prior to Regulation BI, the standard of care was “suitability,” which allowed brokers to recommend investments that were inferior to available alternatives simply because they resulted in larger commissions for the broker. Such practices no longer pass muster because they are not in the clients’ best interests. If you have suffered investment losses due to investment recommendations that were not in your best interests, call our team of west Michigan investment loss attorneys now.
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Investment advisors, and, in some instances, stockbrokers, are fiduciaries under the law. As fiduciaries, they owe their clients the highest duties of honesty, loyalty, prudence and care. If you have suffered losses due to a breach of fiduciary duty, call Mika Meyers to speak with a Grand Rapids investor rights lawyer about recovering your losses.
• Ponzi Scheme Losses: A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment scheme in which the funds raised from new investors are used to pay back earlier investors, rather than for legitimate business or investment purposes. In other words, it’s robbing Peter to pay Paul. Typically the perpetrator of the fraud will be keeping a portion of the invested funds for personal use, often to finance a lavish lifestyle. If you suspect you may have invested in a Ponzi scheme or other fraudulent investment scheme, our west Michigan investment fraud lawyers are available for a free, no-obligation consultation.
• Unauthorized Trading: In the absence of an agreement giving a financial advisor discretionary trading authority, the advisor must seek and obtain a customer’s consent before placing a trade on behalf of the customers. If the advisor fails to obtain consent, he has engaged in unauthorized trading, which is a violation of various securities laws and regulations. If you have questions about losses from unauthorized trading in your account, call Mika Meyers to speak with a Grand Rapids investment fraud lawyer.
• Churning: Churning, also known as “excessive trading,” is when a broker frequently trades in a client’s account for the primary purpose of generating commissions for the broker, rather than for the benefit of the client. Sometimes the broker will trade in and out of the exact same security just to generate commissions. This is known as “in and out” trading. All forms of churning are illegal, and can quickly erode the value of the customer’s investment account. Our Grand Rapids investment fraud attorneys are ready to talk to west Michigan investors who have suffered losses from churning.
• Selling Away: The practice known as “selling away” is when a financial advisor sells a customer a security that is not approved for sale by the broker’s licensing firm. Selling away is a violation of FINRA rules, and often involves fraudulent investments or high-risk securities that are not suitable for retail investors. In most cases of selling away, the broker does not seek the firm’s approval before selling the unapproved investment, while in others, approval is sought but denied. If you have suffered losses from selling away, call Mika Meyers to speak with a west-Michigan investor rights attorney.
• Excessive Concentration: Diversification is one of the bedrock principles of prudent investing. By diversifying an investment portfolio across different asset classes, economic sectors, and companies, investors can reduce or completely eliminate non-systemic risk, without reducing the portfolio’s expected returns. Overweighting a portfolio in a few stocks increases the risk of catastrophic loss from a company-specific adverse event. If you have suffered investment losses due to a lack of diversification of your investment portfolio, call our Grand Rapids investor rights attorneys now.
• Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Retaliation Claims: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 provides for a civil cause of action against employers that retaliate against employees who blow the whistle on securities law violations by the employer. If the employee is retaliated against, whether by termination of employment, demotion, or workplace harassment, the employee can sue for money damages and other relief.
• Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Award Program: Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the SEC has discretion to issue monetary awards to whistleblowers who give information that contributes to a successful regulatory enforcement action. An award can range from 10 percent to 30 percent of the penalties levied by the SEC.
• Class Action Securities Claim: In the securities context, a class action is a procedural mechanism filing claims on behalf of a large number of similarly situated investors in a single lawsuit. Class actions are often brought when investors have been misled by information or the lack of information set forth in a prospectus or offering memorandum.

Why You Can Rely on Our Grand Rapids Investment Loss Attorneys

Our securities litigation and arbitration attorneys dedicate their practice to obtaining justice and compensation for victims of investment fraud and malpractice. We have helped hundreds of investors nationwide recover their investment losses, including in Grand Rapids and surrounding west Michigan communities. Our securities litigation practice group has been recognized a “Tier 1” by US News, and our attorneys have been recognized as “Best Lawyers in America©” and “Super Lawyers©” by leading industry publications. Practice group chair Daniel J. Broxup, JD CFA is also a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder, making him uniquely qualified to handle investment fraud and malpractice cases. Click to view some of our case results.

When you hire Mika Meyers investor rights attorneys to prosecute your case, you’ll get a team of dedicated professionals ready to fight your corner. Among other things, our attorneys will:

• Help you understand the process and options that are available to you.
• Investigate your situation and potential claims.
• Gather the evidence needed to prosecute and win your case.
• Develop and implement a strategy for successful resolution of your claims.
• File actions in court or arbitration to enforce your rights.
• Guide you through settlement process and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
• Present your case to a judge, jury, or arbitrator in a persuasive and effective manner.
• Work tirelessly to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Contact a west Michigan Investment Loss Attorney at Mika Meyers Today

Our west Michigan investor rights attorneys are available to answer questions and discuss your potential claims against investment advisors and stockbrokers. Call us now at (616) 632-8000 or connect with us online to schedule your free, confidential case review. Our firm represents investors throughout west Michigan and surrounding areas, including Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Holland, Grand Haven, South Haven, Muskegon, Big Rapids, Lansing, Mount Pleasant, St Joseph, and Saugatuck.