SEC investigations can be a harrowing experience for the witness as well as the targets. One of the first questions my clients ask when faced with a subpoena from the SEC is how long is this going to take? While I hate to give the typical lawyer answer, that answer […]
Featured Articles
The Wells Notice SEC/FINRA Investigations
By Mark Astarita Being the subject, target, or even a witness in an SEC or a FINRA investigation is not a pleasant experience. As I discussed in my column “When the SEC Comes Calling” a financial professional’s involvement in a regulatory investigation or proceeding is extremely serious, and can be […]
GPB Capital, Brokers Under Fire
Already the focus of inquiries by the SEC and FINRA, the FBI recently made an unannounced visit to the New York investment firm, GPB Capital Holdings. GPB Capital has raised $1.8 billion through private placements. It raises those funds by getting financial advisers to sell GPB private placements to wealthy […]
Overview of the Securities Arbitration Process
Securities Arbitration is not like any other proceeding Nationally known securities attorney Mark Astarita has represented broker-dealers, investment advisers, hedge funds, investment partnerships, individual brokers and investors, across the country for over 30 years in well over 700 securities arbitrations. To find out if he can help you with your […]
Responding to an 8210 Request
By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. FINRA Rule 8210 FINRA Rule 8210 (Provision of Information and Testimony and Inspection and Copying of Books) is the starting point of virtually every FINRA Wells Notice and enforcement proceeding, as it gives FINRA the authority to request documents and testimony from firms, registered persons […]
Churned or Traded?
Mark J. Astarita is a nationally known securities attorney who represents investors and financial professionals in arbitration, compliance and regulatory matters. If you have a question, email him at mja@sallahlaw.com. Churning claims dominated the securities arbitration landscape in the early part of this decade, but have declined over the years, […]
Cold Calling Rules
Compliance with securities regulations is only the beginning By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. Introduction Cold calling is a method of marketing a service or product by calling prospective clients “cold” – that is, without an introduction, to determine if the potential client has a need for, or interest in, the […]
Finders Explained – Be Careful
A question I am often asked is what is the definition of a finder, or questions that lead to that question. The issue arises when an unregistered person or entity introduces investors to an issuer, and seeks to obtain payment based on the investment made by the investor. The […]
Securities Arbitration Hearing Overview
Just What Happens at an Arbitration? By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. Past columns have touched on arbitration hearings, and have raised the question just what happens during an arbitration hearing. It seems that there are a wide variety of ideas on just how those proceedings take place, and there is […]
Federal Securities Law, a Securities Lawyer Guide
The SEC, FINRA, the States, and much more Mark J. Astarita is a nationally known securities attorney with over 30 years of experience representing investors and financial professionals across the country in regulatory investigations, arbitration and litigation. If you have a securities law question, call 212-509-6544 Introduction The history of […]