Blog – Griffin Law Firm

Former Morgan Stanley and Ameriprise Rep Censured By FINRA

FINRA recently fined former Texas-based Morgan Stanley and Ameriprise broker Steven Yellen $25,000 for unauthorized trading at the firms. FINRA alleged Mr. Yellen improperly exercised discretion on thirty different occasions between 2013 and 2017. Unauthorized trading is where an advisor representative does not seek or receive authorization from his or her client in advance of […]

By : Keith Griffin Oct 30, 2019 No Comment

Enforcement, Legal Updates, SEC

Financial Regulation – What’s Next

Since the Financial Crisis of 2008, financial regulations have grown (some say out of control). The purpose, of course, is to prevent another global catastrophe. Yet now approaching ten years later, some of those rules and regulations are being scaled back. Which leads to the question: where do we go from here. The debate centers […]

By : Keith Griffin Apr 26, 2017 No Comment

Enforcement, Investments, SEC

ADV Time for RIAs

RIA firms with a fiscal calendar ending on December 31st have until March 31st to file their updated ADVs with the SEC. In addition, following the SECs new requirements (adopted last summer), there are 8 changes required on the Form ADV for firms filing after October 1. The purpose of the new data is to […]

By : Keith Griffin Mar 15, 2017 No Comment

Enforcement, SEC

SEC Exams – More Efficiency?

The likelihood of independent adviser exams is declining as the SEC experiences post election changes. Former SEC Chairwoman Mary Jo White had drafted a regulation to outsource some exams to third parties. However, following Ms. White’s departure, increased Republican resistance and a reorganization of SEC assets, it looks like that plan will fade. In 2015, the agency’s Office of Compliance […]

By : Keith Griffin Mar 7, 2017 No Comment

SEC, Uncategorized

Change Coming to the SEC

Washington continues to see changes following the election of Donald Trump. The SEC is one agency where the change will likely be dramatic. Mary Jo White served as Chair of the SEC from April 2013 – January 2017. Ms. White, a former U.S. Attorney, was known for her aggressive prosecutorial tendencies and the SEC under […]

By : Keith Griffin Feb 22, 2017 No Comment

Investments, Lawsuits

First David Lerner Apple REIT Award Issued

Griffin Law Firm, LLC in Indianapolis is pleased to announce the first securities arbitration award in the US against David Lerner Associates for its Apple REIT sales has been decided in the Claimants’ favor. Griffin Law Firm, LLC filed a simplified claim through FINRA-DR earlier this year. On May 21, 2012, the New York-based arbitrator decided in […]

By : Keith Griffin May 31, 2012 No Comment

Investments, Law Firm, Stocks

FINRA Simplified Arbitration

Investors who have suffered losses of less than $25,000 oftentimes find themselves with nowhere to turn. It is not cost effective for these investors to hire attorneys at traditional hourly rates. Additionally, many contingency-fee lawyers will not take on such a matter. Griffin Law Firm, LLC in Indianapolis has a solution. FINRA Rules provide for […]

By : Keith Griffin Apr 23, 2012 No Comment

Investments, Managment, Stocks

Investment Losses – Ups and Downs

With the stock market seeing gains and losses in the triple digits (daily it seems), investors are rightly concerned. These uncertain times bring fear and anxiety to many (if not most) investors. Unfortunately there is no one size fits all approach for dealing with the volitility. That said, all investors must evaluate their investments and […]

By : Keith Griffin Sep 7, 2011 No Comment

Enforcement, Investments, Legal Updates

Samex Capital Advisors LLC Money Manager License Revocation

Samex Capital Advisors, LLC money manager Keenan Hauke, of Fishers, Indiana, has had his financial advising license revoked. The Indiana Securities Division took the dramic step recently following allegations by a former employee of misallocation of client funds. The Order of Revocation signed by the Indiana Securities Commissioner stated that there was a “substantial threat […]

By : Keith Griffin May 12, 2011 No Comment

Enforcement, Legal Updates, Managment, SEC

Year of Compliance

The SEC is ramping up its enforcement. The Division of Enforcement has established new groups that will concentrate on specific parts of the market. This more narrow scrutiny will focus primarily on mutual funds/assets under management. The SEC believes that this specialized enforcement will serve to reduce and contain risks within investment management. Fund companies […]

By : Keith Griffin Mar 31, 2011 No Comment

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