In today’s highly regulated financial services industry, a single dispute, customer complaint, or disclosure can have lasting consequences for your career. Investment professionals operate under constant scrutiny where mere allegations can impact your reputation, your ability to move between firms, and your long-term earning potential. When your livelihood is on the line, you need experienced legal counsel who understands the securities industry and can leverage the law to protect your interests.

Led by founding attorney Devin Bone, BoneLex represents financial advisors, registered representatives, portfolio managers, and other investment professionals in a diverse range of matters. Combining deep industry knowledge with years of experience and a practical, results-oriented approach, BoneLex will help protect your reputation, your license, and your future.

Protecting Your Reputation in Investment Disputes

Customer complaints and investment claims are an unavoidable aspect of working in the financial services industry. But how these claims are handled can make a critical difference in your career trajectory.

BoneLex represents investment professionals in disputes involving:

• Allegations of unsuitable investment recommendations
• Claims of misrepresentation or omission
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Unauthorized trading or excessive trading
• Failure to supervise
• Employment-related disputes between advisors and firms

Most investment-related disputes are resolved through mandatory arbitration before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). These proceedings move quickly, involve unique procedural rules, and require a nuanced understanding of the law and industry practices.

BoneLex delivers sophisticated, results-oriented legal representation in investment industry disputes. Focusing on early identification of weaknesses in the claimant’s case, developing a compelling narrative, and advocating effectively before arbitrators who may or may not have industry experience, BoneLex will keep your broader professional goals in mind, ensuring your litigation strategy aligns with your long-term career interests.

U5 Expungement

Filed when a registered investment professional leaves a firm, the U5 disclosure often includes termination language and may reference allegations of customer complaints or internal investigations. These disclosures are accessible on BrokerCheck and can be viewed by prospective employers, clients, and regulators.

An inaccurate, misleading, or unfair U5 disclosure can follow you for years, limiting job opportunities, undermining client trust, and raising unnecessary regulator scrutiny. Expungement is the legal process by which false, defamatory, or misleading information is removed from a U5 termination notice. It is not automatic and often requires a formal arbitration hearing.

A successful U5 expungement requires more than arguing that the claim was unfounded. It demands a carefully constructed narrative that shows why the disclosure is factually impossible, clearly erroneous, or false. BoneLex can guide you through this process and improve your chances of success.

State and Federal Securities Investigations and Actions

Receiving a subpoena or request for voluntary cooperation from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or a state securities commission can be harrowing. Without proper legal guidance, these investigations can quickly spread from inquiries to civil or criminal charges. BoneLex has represented investors, financial professionals, and public companies and their officers and directors in numerous state and federal securities investigations, successfully mitigating consequences and allowing clients to turn the page. If you were contacted by authorities, reach out to BoneLex to discuss your options.

How BoneLex Can Help

Investment disputes and regulatory disclosures do not need to define your career. BoneLex can protect your record, resolve disputes efficiently and effectively, and position you for continued success in the financial services industry.

BoneLex is located in Rochester, Michigan, and proudly serves clients in and around Detroit, throughout Michigan, and nationwide. Call (248) 833-8333 or contact BoneLex today to schedule a confidential appointment to discuss your situation and how we can assist you.