We represent financial advisors, brokers and other securities professionals in disputes arising from disclosures (or alleged lack of disclosures) on Forms U4 and U5.  These disputes may be employment-related, involving issues between the professional and his or her employer, or may arise from an investigation or enforcement proceeding initiated by the SEC, FINRA or a state regulator.

Form U4 – “Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer” – is a form that FINRA member firms are required to file on behalf of their current associated persons (registered representatives).  The form requires various disclosures about the financial professional and his or her background and must be amended to reflect changes in any of the information that must be disclosed.

Form U5 – “Uniform Termination Notice for Securities Industry Registration” — is a form that FINRA member firms are required to file within thirty days after the termination of one of their registered representatives. The form must be filed regardless of the reason for the termination, and it must be filed even in the case of voluntary resignations.

Disputes frequently arise from disclosures made (or not made) on Forms U4 and U5.  Such disputes may relate to disagreements between a securities professional and the brokerage firm through which he or she is registered concerning the scope of disclosures that are required, and they also can arise from allegations made by a regulator – the SEC, FINRA or a state securities regulator – that the disclosures in a Form U4 or U5 are incomplete or misleading.

Erroneous disclosures on Forms U4 and U5 can be expunged in certain circumstances.  We are experienced in representing securities professionals in expungement proceedings filed with FINRA or in court.

In certain cases, false and defamatory statements on a Form U4 or U5 can give rise to claims for defamation.  We are experienced in representing financial advisors, broker and other securities professionals in pursuing claims for defamation arising from false disclosures.