Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Securities Arbitration and Investment Fraud

At Iorio Law PLLC, we understand that facing investment losses due to stockbroker misconduct, securities fraud, or investment advisor negligence can be overwhelming. We are here to provide clarity and guidance. This page answers common questions about securities arbitration, our firm’s services, and how we can help you recover your financial losses. If your question isn’t addressed here, contact us for a free, confidential consultation.

📌General Questions About Iorio Law PLLC

What Type of Law Does Iorio Law PLLC Practice?

Iorio Law PLLC is a national law firm that focuses exclusively on securities arbitration and investor advocacy. We represent individual and institutional investors who have suffered financial losses due to stockbroker misconduct, financial advisor negligence, or investment fraud. Our mission is to provide dedicated, strategic, and personalized legal representation to help investors pursue financial recovery.

Who Do You Represent?

We exclusively represent investors—never broker-dealers, advisory firms, or financial advisors. This ensures our interests are always aligned with yours. We represent a wide range of clients, from individual retail investors to family offices and institutional investors.

What Sets Iorio Law PLLC Apart From Other Securities Arbitration Attorneys?

Our founder, August M. Iorio, has handled over 700 cases and recovered nearly $100 million for investors, including landmark victories such as the nation’s first FINRA arbitration award against Robinhood for its 2021 restrictions on meme stock trading.

We offer personalized attention, contingency fee representation (no recovery, no fee), and deep expertise in complex claims involving products like GWG L Bonds, alternative investments, private placements, and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs). As a director on the Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA) board, Mr. Iorio actively shapes investor protection policies. We combine extensive knowledge with our core values of integrity, excellence, and grit to achieve the best outcomes for our clients.

Where Is Iorio Law PLLC Located, and Do You Represent Clients Nationwide?

Our office is located at One World Trade Center, 85th Floor, New York, NY 10007. While based in New York, we represent investors nationwide on a contingency fee basis. We’ve successfully handled cases across the U.S., from California to New York, leveraging our knowledge of FINRA rules and federal securities laws.

📌Questions About Securities Arbitration and Claims

What Is Securities Arbitration?

Securities arbitration is a legal process for resolving disputes between investors and financial professionals that operates outside the court system. Instead of a judge and jury, one or more neutral arbitrators hear your case, and their decision is final and binding. Arbitration is typically faster, less expensive, and more confidential than traditional court litigation. Most investor agreements include clauses that require disputes to be settled through arbitration. Learn more on our Securities Arbitration Attorneys page.

Do I Have to Sue My Financial Advisor in Court?

Usually not. Most disputes with financial advisors and brokerage firms are resolved through arbitration forums like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), or JAMS. The appropriate forum is typically determined by the arbitration clause in your client agreement.

What Is Finra Arbitration, and When Does It Apply?

FINRA arbitration is the primary forum for disputes involving FINRA-registered broker-dealers and their representatives. It’s required if your brokerage agreement includes a pre-dispute arbitration clause (most do). Claims must generally be filed within six years of the misconduct. The process includes filing a claim, arbitrator selection, discovery, hearings, and a final hearing. We specialize in FINRA arbitration for issues like unsuitable investments and breach of fiduciary duty. For a detailed walkthrough, visit our FINRA Arbitration Process Explained guide.

What types of misconduct can lead to a securities arbitration claim? You may have a claim if you suffered investment losses due to negligence, fraud, or unethical conduct. We handle a wide variety of claims, including:

• Unsuitable Investment Recommendations
• Violations of Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI)
• Misrepresentation and Omission of Material Facts
• Excessive Trading (Churning)
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty
• Unauthorized Trading
• Failure to Supervise
• Overconcentration of Accounts or Failure to Diversify
• Selling Away (unapproved private investments)
• Fraud involving complex products like GWG L Bonds, non-traded REITs, Delaware Statutory Trusts, variable annuities, structured products, private placements, promissory notes, and Ponzi schemes

• Financial Elder Abuse
• Market manipulation claims, like the January 2021 Robinhood trading restrictions.

How Long Does The Securities Arbitration Process Take?

Most cases are resolved within 9 to 18 months from the date the claim is filed. The timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the forum in which it is filed.

How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Securities Arbitration Claim?

If you’ve suffered unexplained losses due to investments that didn’t match your risk tolerance, objectives, or financial situation—or if your broker failed to disclose risks, conflicts, or costs—you may have a claim. Common red flags include aggressive recommendations for high-risk products, excessive fees, or unauthorized trades. We offer a free case evaluation to review your account statements and advise on viability. Contact us to discuss your situation confidentially.

Does My Financial Advisor Have a Fiduciary Duty?

Whether your financial advisor owes you a fiduciary duty—the highest standard of care—depends on their title and how they are regulated. The responsibilities of a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) are different from those of a stockbroker.

• Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs): Yes, RIAs have a fiduciary duty to their clients. This is an ongoing obligation that requires them to always act in your best interest and place your financial well-being ahead of their own.
• Stockbrokers (Registered Representatives): Traditionally, brokers are held to a “best interest” standard as defined by Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI). This standard requires them to act in your best interest when recommending a security or investment strategy. They cannot place their own financial incentives, such as earning higher commissions, ahead of your interests. However, in specific scenarios—particularly when brokers exercise discretionary authority or control over investor accounts—they may owe their clients fiduciary duties.

The rules are complex. If you believe your financial advisor acted improperly and caused you to suffer investment losses, contact Iorio Law PLLC for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.

What Is the Difference Between a Broker-Dealer and a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)?

Broker-dealers typically earn commissions by selling securities to investors and are regulated by FINRA. Registered Investment Advisers (RIAs) provide investment advice for a fee and are regulated by the SEC or state securities regulators. This distinction is important because it often determines the legal duties your financial professional owes you and where your arbitration claim will be filed (FINRA for broker-dealers, AAA or JAMS for RIAs).

📌 Questions About Fees and Costs

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Iorio Law Pllc?

We handle a significant portion of our cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any upfront legal fees. We only get paid a legal fee if we win your case and recover money for you through a settlement, arbitration award, or judgment. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so our success is directly aligned with yours.  Learn more on our How We Are Paid page.

Are There Any Other Costs Besides Attorney’s Fees?

While our attorney’s fees are contingent on success, there may be case expenses such as filing fees, expert witness fees, and forum fees. These costs may be advanced by our firm and reimbursed from the gross recovery before our contingency fee is calculated. We will discuss all potential expenses with you upfront and outline them in a clear, written agreement.

Do you offer a free consultation? Yes. We offer a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation to all potential clients. During this consultation, we will assess your case, review your documents, and discuss your potential claims and legal rights.

📌Questions About Specific Cases and Investigations

I Lost Money on GWG L Bonds and Am Looking for the Best GWG L Bond lawyer. Can You Help?

Yes. We are actively investigating the sales practices related to GWG L Bonds and represent investors in FINRA arbitration claims against the broker-dealers who sold these high-risk, illiquid securities. Our founder and managing attorney, August M. Iorio, has been actively investigating the sale of GWG L Bonds since 2021 and has written extensively on the topic. Mr. Iorio has already recovered over $3.5 million for GWG L Bond investors. With bankruptcy recoveries expected to be minimal (2.7%-3.45% of principal), filing a FINRA arbitration claim against the brokerage firm that sold you the bonds is the most promising path to a more significant recovery. Please contact us, and Mr. Iorio will personally give you an update in plain English about the latest updates concerning the GWG bankruptcy liquidation and your options for recovery of your GWG L Bond investment losses.

What Should I Know About the Robinhood Trading Restrictions Lawsuit?

In January 2021, Robinhood imposed “Position Closing Only” restrictions on meme stocks like GME, AMC, BB, BBBY, NOK, KOSS, and EXPR, causing massive losses for retail investors. August M. Iorio secured the first FINRA arbitration award against Robinhood for these actions (FINRA Case No. 21-01206). We represent dozens of investors nationwide seeking recovery for market manipulation and breach of duties. If you suffered losses when Robinhood restricted trading on stocks like GME, AMC, KOSS, or EXPR in January 2021, you may be able to recover your losses through securities arbitration. Please contact us for a free evaluation.

What Results Have You Achieved for Investors?

August M. Iorio has recovered nearly $100 million in over 700 cases, including:

• Over $80 million for Puerto Rico bond investors
• $3.5 million+ for GWG L Bond victims
• Groundbreaking award against Robinhood
• Other FINRA arbitration awards, such as a GWG L Bond award against a “control person” who owned and operated a small broker-dealer in California
• Visit Iorio Law PLLC’s “Our Results” page for more information.

Past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, but they demonstrate our commitment.

📌 Have More Questions?  Ready to Get Answers Specific to Your Case? Take the First Step Toward Financial Recovery.

If you have suffered investment losses, you are not alone. Don’t let uncertainty prevent you from exploring your legal options. The time to file a claim is limited, so it is crucial to act quickly.

Contact Iorio Law PLLC today for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation. Let our experienced securities arbitration attorneys review your case and explain how we can fight for you.

📞 Call: (646) 330-4624
📧 Email: info@iorio.law
📍 Location: One World Trade Center, 85th Floor, New York, NY 10007
🖊️ Free Case Review: Contact Form

Disclaimer: This FAQ is for informational purposes only and not legal advice. Each case is unique; consult an attorney for your situation.