Definition: A securities fraud consultation is a confidential case evaluation focused on whether investment losses may be tied to broker misconduct, unsuitable recommendations, misrepresentations, unauthorized trading, concentration, or other recoverable securities-law claims. The goal is to identify the product, timeline, documents, losses, and potential recovery path before any formal claim is filed.
If you suspect your broker, financial advisor, or brokerage firm has caused you to suffer significant investment losses through misconduct, you deserve answers. At Varnavides Law, we offer a free securities fraud consultation to help you understand your legal options and determine whether you have a viable claim for recovery. Request your free consultation or call (310) 367-3654 to speak with our office today.
Investment fraud and broker misconduct cost American investors billions of dollars each year. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 alone, with investment scams accounting for $6.6 billion of those losses. You should not bear these losses alone when your financial professional may have violated their legal duties to you.
Key Takeaways
- No cost, no obligation: Your initial consultation is completely free with no pressure to proceed
- Confidential case review: We protect your privacy while evaluating your situation
- Defense-side insight: Gary Varnavides’s broker-dealer defense background helps anticipate brokerage-firm tactics
- Quick assessment: We can typically evaluate your case viability within the first conversation
- Contingency representation: If we take your case, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you
Why Schedule a Free Securities Fraud Consultation
Many investors who have suffered losses at the hands of their brokers or financial advisors hesitate to seek legal help. They may feel embarrassed about their situation, uncertain whether they have a valid claim, or worried about the cost of hiring an attorney. A free consultation removes these barriers and allows you to get honest answers about your situation.
During your free securities fraud consultation, we will review the facts of your case, explain the relevant legal standards, and give you a candid assessment of your options. You will leave the conversation with clarity about whether your losses resulted from normal market conditions or from misconduct that may entitle you to compensation.
What You Gain
- Professional analysis of your investment losses
- Understanding of securities laws that protect you
- Assessment of potential recovery options
- Knowledge of applicable statutes of limitations
- Information about the FINRA arbitration process
No Risk to You
- Completely free initial consultation
- No obligation to proceed with representation
- Confidential discussion of your finances
- Honest evaluation even if we cannot help
- Referrals to other resources when appropriate
The Insider Advantage: Why Our Experience Matters
When you schedule a free consultation with Varnavides Law, you benefit from a perspective that few securities fraud attorneys can offer. The firm’s defense-side broker-dealer background helps anticipate common brokerage-firm defenses in FINRA arbitration. He knows the strategies that brokerage firms and their lawyers use to challenge investor claims.
This insider experience is now your advantage. Gary understands how the defense thinks, what evidence they prioritize, and where their arguments are weakest. He has handled cases involving the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, including matters related to the Bernard Madoff scandal. This background allows him to evaluate your claim with insight that comes only from years on the other side of these disputes.
Attorney Background: Varnavides Law focuses on investor claims involving broker misconduct, unsuitable recommendations, misrepresentations, and FINRA arbitration.
Types of Cases We Evaluate
During your free securities fraud consultation, we can assess claims involving a wide range of broker and advisor misconduct. According to the SEC Office of Investor Education, investment fraud takes many forms, and we have experience evaluating and pursuing claims across the full spectrum of securities violations.
| Type of Misconduct | Description |
|---|---|
| Churning | Excessive trading in your account to generate commissions regardless of your investment objectives |
| Unsuitable Investments | Recommending investments that do not match your risk tolerance, financial situation, or investment goals |
| Unauthorized Trading | Executing trades in your account without your knowledge or permission |
| Breach of Fiduciary Duty | Failing to act in your best interest when a fiduciary relationship exists |
| Misrepresentation | Making false statements or omitting material facts about investments |
| Failure to Supervise | Brokerage firm failing to properly oversee its brokers and detect misconduct |
| Concentration Risk | Overconcentrating your portfolio in a single stock, sector, or investment type |
Investment Products We Handle
Our free consultation covers losses involving virtually any type of investment product. Securities fraud and investment fraud can occur with traditional investments as well as complex alternative products that carry heightened risks.
Traditional Securities
- Stocks and bonds
- Mutual funds
- Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
- Options and derivatives
Alternative Investments
Emerging Products
What to Expect During Your Free Consultation
We understand that reaching out to a securities fraud attorney is a significant step. You may feel uncertain about what information you need to provide or how the conversation will proceed. Here is what you can expect when you schedule your free consultation with Varnavides Law.
Time Limits Apply: Securities fraud claims are subject to statutes of limitations that can bar your claim if you wait too long. FINRA Rule 12206 is a six-year arbitration eligibility rule measured from the occurrence or event giving rise to the claim. It does not extend shorter state or federal statutes of limitations, so investors should evaluate potential claims promptly. State law claims may have even shorter deadlines. Contact us promptly to protect your rights.
Before the Consultation
We recommend gathering any account statements, trade confirmations, correspondence with your broker, and marketing materials you received about the investments in question. However, you do not need complete documentation to schedule a consultation. We can begin evaluating your situation based on the information you have available.
During the Consultation
We will ask you questions about your investment history, your financial goals, what your broker or advisor told you, and the losses you have experienced. This conversation is confidential. We will explain the legal standards that apply to your situation and give you an honest assessment of whether we believe you have a viable claim.
After the Consultation
If we believe you have a strong case and you want to proceed, we will discuss representation options. We handle most securities fraud cases on a contingency fee basis, with the fee arrangement discussed during your free consultation. If we determine that your situation is not one we can help with, we will tell you honestly and, where possible, suggest other resources that may assist you.
The FINRA Arbitration Process
Most securities fraud claims against brokers and brokerage firms are resolved through FINRA arbitration rather than court litigation. When you opened your brokerage account, you likely signed an agreement requiring disputes to be resolved through this process. Understanding FINRA arbitration is an important part of evaluating your options during a free consultation.
FINRA publishes annual dispute-resolution statistics and information about its arbitration process. Those figures can help investors understand the forum, but they should not be read as predictions for any individual case because outcomes depend on the facts, evidence, losses, and applicable law.
Advantages of FINRA Arbitration
- Generally faster than court litigation
- More streamlined discovery process
- Panel familiar with securities industry
- Lower procedural barriers than court
- High settlement rate (60-70%)
What We Handle
- Pre-filing investigation and demand
- Statement of Claim preparation
- Discovery and document requests
- Arbitrator selection strategy
- Hearing preparation and representation
Signs You May Have a Securities Fraud Claim
Not every investment loss results from fraud or misconduct. Markets fluctuate, and even well-chosen investments can decline in value. However, according to FBI IC3 data, investment scams represented the highest-loss category of fraud in 2024. Certain warning signs suggest that your losses may have resulted from broker misconduct that entitles you to pursue recovery.
Consider scheduling a free securities fraud consultation if you have experienced any of the following:
- Losses that seem disproportionate to overall market conditions
- Investments you did not authorize or did not understand
- A portfolio heavily concentrated in a single stock or sector
- Frequent trading that generated significant commissions
- Investments that did not match your stated risk tolerance
- Promises of guaranteed returns or no-risk investments
- Difficulty accessing your account or obtaining information
- Pressure to make quick decisions without adequate information
- Significant losses in products marketed as safe or conservative
Our Fee Structure
We handle most securities fraud and investment fraud cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no attorney fees upfront, and attorney fee terms are addressed in the engagement agreement and discussed during your free consultation.
How Contingency Fees Work:
- No upfront attorney fees required
- We advance case costs during the proceedings
- Our fee is a percentage of any recovery we obtain
- If we do not recover money for you, you owe no attorney fees
- Fee percentage and cost arrangements are discussed during your free consultation
You remain responsible for case costs, which may include filing fees, expert witness fees, and transcript costs. We can discuss estimated costs and payment arrangements during your consultation so you can make an informed decision about proceeding.
Why Choose Varnavides Law
Selecting an attorney for your securities fraud case is an important decision. You need an advocate who understands the complexities of securities law, has experience in FINRA arbitration, and will fight aggressively on your behalf. Varnavides Law offers a combination of qualifications and experience that sets us apart.
Insider Knowledge
The firm’s defense-side broker-dealer background helps evaluate how brokerage firms defend investor claims. He knows how the other side thinks, what defenses they raise, and where their arguments are vulnerable. This experience is now your advantage.
Recognized Excellence
Varnavides Law brings focused securities-arbitration and broker-misconduct experience to investor claims.
Bi-Coastal Practice
The firm serves investors in California, New York, and nationwide where appropriate through FINRA arbitration and securities litigation.
Personal Attention
As a boutique firm, we provide the individualized attention that larger firms cannot match. Your case is not a number to us. We take the time to understand your situation and develop a strategy tailored to your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the free consultation take?
Most initial consultations last between 30 and 60 minutes. This gives us enough time to understand your situation, answer your questions, and provide an initial assessment. However, we do not rush these conversations. If your situation requires more time, we will take the time needed to give you a thorough evaluation.
What documents should I bring to my consultation?
If available, bring account statements, trade confirmations, correspondence with your broker or financial advisor, and any marketing materials you received about the investments. However, you do not need complete documentation to schedule a consultation. We can begin evaluating your claim with whatever information you have.
How do I know if I have a valid securities fraud claim?
A valid claim typically requires evidence that your broker or financial advisor violated securities laws or industry rules, and that this violation caused your investment losses. During your free consultation, we will evaluate the facts of your situation and give you an honest assessment of whether you appear to have a viable claim.
What is the statute of limitations for securities fraud claims?
Time limits vary depending on the type of claim and applicable law. FINRA Rule 12206 is a six-year arbitration eligibility rule measured from the occurrence or event giving rise to the claim. It does not extend shorter state or federal statutes of limitations, so investors should evaluate potential claims promptly. Federal securities fraud claims under 28 U.S.C. 1658(b) generally use a two-year discovery period and a five-year repose period. State law claims may have different deadlines. We encourage you to schedule a consultation promptly to ensure your rights are protected.
Will my broker or brokerage firm know I consulted with an attorney?
No. Your consultation with us is completely confidential. We do not contact your broker or brokerage firm unless and until you retain us to represent you and authorize us to take action on your behalf.
Can I still pursue a claim if I signed documents acknowledging investment risks?
Yes, in many cases. Brokers cannot use risk disclosure documents to shield themselves from liability for fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct. The fact that you signed documents acknowledging that investments carry risk does not prevent you from recovering losses caused by your broker’s wrongful conduct.
What if I already complained to my brokerage firm and they denied responsibility?
Brokerage firms routinely deny complaints from customers, even when misconduct occurred. Their internal response is not determinative of whether you have a valid legal claim. A brokerage firm’s denial does not decide whether a formal FINRA arbitration claim is warranted. A free consultation can help you understand whether a formal claim is warranted.
Contact Us for Your Free Consultation
If you have suffered investment losses and believe your broker or financial advisor may be responsible, do not wait to seek answers. Statutes of limitations can bar your claim if you delay too long. Schedule your free securities fraud consultation today to learn whether you may be entitled to recover your losses.
At Varnavides Law, we are committed to helping investors hold financial professionals accountable for misconduct. Our free consultation gives you the opportunity to have your situation evaluated by an experienced securities attorney with no obligation to proceed. Take the first step toward understanding your options and protecting your financial future.
Primary Sources Reviewed
Schedule Your Free Securities Fraud Consultation
Contact Varnavides Law today for a confidential, no-obligation evaluation of your investment losses. Our insider knowledge of the securities industry gives you an advantage in pursuing recovery.
Prefer to talk now? Call (310) 367-3654 to reach our office and schedule your free, confidential consultation.