Law Offices of David A. Carter, Personal Attorney, a South Florida securities fraud, broker fraud, securities arbitration, investor protection and Chapter 7 bankruptcy law firm based in Boca Raton, Florida.

FINRA recently announced that Vincent Joseph Farrugia, Jr. of Lawrenceville , Georgia (formerly a financial advisor with Next Financial Group, Inc.) has been fined $15,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for four months. Without admitting or denying the findings, Farrugia consented to the described sanctions and to the entry of findings that he exercised discretion in effecting transactions in a customer’s account without the customer’s prior written authorization and his member firm’s prior written acceptance. The findings further stated that Farrugia made unsuitable investment recommendations to the customer to invest in penny stocks and other speculative securities without a reasonable basis, given the customer’s financial condition and investment objectives.

Prior to working as a stockbroker at Next Financial Group, Inc., Vincent Farrugia was registered as a financial advisor with Delta Equity Services, Corporation (a registered broker-dealer based in Alpharetta, Georgia) and Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC (a registered broker-dealer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

According to his FINRA Broker Report (CRD), FINRA’s investigation is not the first time Farrugia has been named in a claim related to securities fraud. Farrugia has also been named in at least one customer complaint. In that instance, the customer made allegations of churning and unsuitable trading (related to the purchase of penny stocks) and claimed damages of approximately $80,000.

If you have questions about investments you made with Vincent Joseph Farrugia, or if you believe that you have been the victim of a securities fraud, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. may be able to help. David A. Carter is a securities lawyer based in Boca Raton, Florida. He reviews securities fraud cases throughout the country and Georgia, including reviewing securities fraud cases in Atlanta, Marietta, Athens, Smyrna, Augusta, Macon, Columbus, Savannah, and Albany. For more information on the firm’s securities fraud practice, please visit http://www.carterpa.com. To contact the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A., please call 561-750-6999 or email us at contact@carterpa.com.

FINRA recently announced that Michael Lewis Axel, formerly of Tripp & Co., Inc. in New York City , has been barred from association with any FINRA member firm in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Axel consented to the described sanction and to findings that he misappropriated at least $624,000 from customers of his member firm. The findings further stated that, without the customer’s knowledge, authorization or consent, Axel initiated the issuance of checks from the customers’ accounts, obtaining the checks so that he could deliver them to the customers, and then forged the customers’ signatures and cashed the checks or deposited the checks into his personal bank account. Finally, the findings also stated that Axel effected unauthorized transactions in customers’ accounts without their knowledge, authorization, and consent.

Prior to working as a financial advisor for Tripp & Co., Inc., Michael Axel was a registered representative with Apple Financial Corporation (from 1985-1989) and Brodis Securities Incorporated (1983-1985).

If you have questions about investments you made with Michael Axel, or if you believe that you have been the victim of a securities fraud, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. may be able to help. David A. Carter is a securities lawyer based in Boca Raton, Florida. He reviews securities fraud cases throughout the country and Northeast, including reviewing securities fraud cases in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. For more information on the firm’s securities fraud practice, please visit http://www.carterpa.com. To contact the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A., please call 561-750-6999 or email us at contact@carterpa.com.

An investment syndicate is a temporary association of investors brought together for the purpose of pooling funds to invest in a larger investment. Investment syndicates offer individual investors more leverage to invest in larger businesses and wield more collective power. There are many investor syndicates to choose from, where individuals may invest anything between several thousand to several million of their own money with a syndicate who will then suggest investments based on their investor profile, attitude to risk and return expectations.

Previously available only to sophisticated investors and high net worth individuals, these investment syndicates are now open to a wider range of investors subject to a minimum investment. The terms of each investment vehicle vary – some are highly tax efficient, some are backed by an insurance bond guaranteeing you a minimum return of 10%, and others are secured against plots of land or property (either by a first or second mortgage).

Now that investment syndicates are more widely available, the concern is that financial advisors are now pooling their own clients to invest in syndicates, and often times, the financial advisor fails to disclose all of the material terms and possible risks of the syndicates to their clients. Investment syndicates remain complicated investment vehicles that should only be considered by sophisticated investors.

If you have questions about an investment you made in an investment syndicate, or if you believe that you are the victim of a securities fraud, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. may be able to help. David A. Carter is a securities lawyer based in Boca Raton, Florida. He reviews securities fraud cases throughout the country and Florida, including reviewing securities fraud cases in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Pensacola, Miami, Fort Myers, and Fort Lauderdale. For more information on the firm’s securities fraud practice, please visit http://www.carterpa.com. To contact the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A., please call 561-750-6999 or email us at contact@carterpa.com.

FINRA recently issued an Alert because of its concern that an increasing number of investors may be entering into financing arrangements with brokerage firms without fully appreciating the risks or implications of such arrangements.

Here are some of the basics of subordination agreements, and the risks of such agreements.

What is a Subordination Agreement?

A subordination agreement is a contract between an investor and a brokerage firm where the investor lends either money or securities or both to the brokerage firm. There are two types of subordination agreements.

Subordinated Loan Agreement ( SLA ). An SLA is used when an investor lends cash to a firm. The SLA discloses the terms of the loan, including the amount of the loan, the interest rate, and the date the loan will be repaid.

Secured Demand Note Agreement (SDN). An SDN is a promissory note in which an investor agrees to give cash to the firm on demand (i.e., without prior notice) during the term of the note. The investor also must provide cash or securities as collateral for the SDN. If the investor uses securities as collateral, these securities must be deposited with the firm and registered in the firm’s name. The investor cannot sell or otherwise use them unless he/she substitutes securities of equal value for the deposited securities. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules require that the firm discount the market value of the securities that the investor provides as collateral. The discount can vary and can be as high as 30% if the investor uses common stock as collateral.

What are the Risks?

Before entering into a subordination agreement, the investor should understand the following risks:
· No Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) protection. Subordination agreements are not subject to SIPC protection. Thus, if the broker defaults on a subordination agreement, the investor can lose his/her entire investment, including any cash, securities, or accounts that they lend or pledge as collateral.

· No private insurance protection. Subordination agreements are generally not covered by any private insurance policy held by the firm. Thus, if the brokerage firm fails to pay the loan, the investor can lose all of his/her investment.

· No priority in payment over other lenders. Subordination agreements cause the investor to be subordinate to other parties if the firm goes out of business. In other words, the investor would be paid after other parties are paid, assuming the firm has any assets remaining after it satisfies its debts to other parties.

· No restrictions on the use of the funds or securities. The firm can use the funds or securities the investor lends under a subordination agreement almost entirely without restriction. The investor should not rely on side agreements with a firm that purport to limit the use of the loan proceeds. These agreements are inconsistent with the subordination agreement and may not be enforceable.

· The firm can force the sale of securities the investor pledges as collateral. If the securities pledged as collateral decline in value so that their discounted value is less than the face amount of the SDN, the investor must deposit additional securities with the firm to keep the SDN at the proper collateral level. If the investor does not give the firm additional collateral, the firm may sell some or all of the investor’s securities. In addition, if the firm makes a demand for cash under an SDN, and the investor does not provide the firm with cash, the firm may sell some or all of the investor’s securities.

Also, while FINRA does review subordination agreements, this does not mean that FINRA has passed judgment on the soundness of these investments. Its review does not include an opinion regarding the viability or suitability of the investment for you or the credit worthiness of the brokerage firm.

What Should An Investor Do If He/She Wants to Invest?

Before entering into a subordination agreement, an investor should get the information he/she needs to make a wise investment choice.
· Understand the investment. Before entering into a subordination agreement, you should carefully read the subordination agreement, the lender’s attestation, and the Subordination Agreement Investor Disclosure Document.

· Check out the brokerage firm before you invest. You can get information from the following sources:
o FINRA. Check with FINRA BrokerCheck to learn whether the firm is licensed, the types of businesses it operates, and whether there are any disciplinary actions against the firm.

o The SEC. Obtain a copy of the firm’s report on Form X-17A-5. Form X-17A-5 is the audited financial report that every registered broker or dealer must file annually with the SEC. To obtain a copy of a firm’s X-17A-5, please contact the SEC’s Office of Public Reference as follows:
Office of Public Reference
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20549
Phone (202) 551-8090
Email: publicinfo@sec.gov

· The Better Business Bureau. Check with the Better Business Bureau to find any complaints against the company.
Finally, as with any investment, don’t allow yourself to be pressured into a quick decision. Consider discussing the investment with an accountant, attorney, or investment professional that you know and trust. It is also important to make sure the investment fits with your financial goals, your tolerance for risk, and makes sense given your income and expenses.

If you have questions about subordination agreements, or if you believe that you are the victim of a securities fraud, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. may be able to help. David A. Carter is a securities lawyer based in Boca Raton, Florida. He reviews securities fraud cases throughout the country and Florida, including reviewing securities fraud cases in Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce, Orlando, and Stuart. For more information on the firm’s securities fraud practice, please visit http://www.carterpa.com. To contact the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A., please call 561-750-6999 or email us at contact@carterpa.com.

FINRA recently announced that Thailia Alisa Tucker, a former financial advisor for Wachovia Securities, LLC in Miami , Florida , has been barred from association with any FINRA member in any capacity. Without admitting or denying the findings, Tucker consented to the described sanction and to the entry of findings that she misappropriated approximately $847,188.87 from customers’ account at her member firm and used the funds for her own use and benefit. The findings further stated that to facilitate her improper use and misappropriation of customer funds, Tucker caused international customers’ accounts to be removed from an abandoned status, caused the addresses for the accounts to be changed to addresses that she controlled, effected unauthorized sales of securities in the customers’ accounts, forged Letters of Authorization (LOAs) and Wire Transfer Agreements (WTAs) to transfer funds out of the customers’ accounts, and approved and processed the fraudulent LOAs and WTAs. Tucker’s actions caused her firm to maintain inaccurate books and records. Finally, the findings stated that, to make cash available, Tucker sold securities in several accounts with the customers’ knowledge or authorization, then transferred the proceeds to herself through relatives by wire or check.

In addition to working as a financial advisor for Wachovia Securities, Thailia Tucker was also a registered representative for Global Strategic Investments, LLC, First Union Brokerage Services, Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated.

If you have questions about investments you made with Thailia Tucker, or if you believe that you are the victim of a misappropriation or other conversion by your financial advisor, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. may be able to help. David A. Carter is a securities lawyer based in Boca Raton, Florida. He reviews securities fraud cases throughout the country and Florida, including reviewing securities fraud cases in Miami, Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Key Largo, Aventura, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, and Deerfield Beach. For more information on the firm’s securities fraud practice, please visit http://www.carterpa.com. To contact the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A., please call 561-750-6999 or email us at contact@carterpa.com.

FINRA recently announced that David Alan Tucker, a financial advisor for Brookstone Securities, Inc. in Port Orange, Florida, has been fined $5,000 and suspended from association with any FINRA member in any capacity for 20 days. The suspension was in effect from December 21, 2009 through January 9, 2010.

Without admitting or denying the findings, Tucker consented to the described sanctions and to the entry of findings that he engaged in radio broadcasts during which he made statements which were misleading and omitted material information, failed to provide a balanced presentation, and/or were exaggerated, unwarranted and promissory. The findings further stated that Tucker placed a print advertisement in a local newspaper that failed to provide a sound basis for certain claims. Finally, the findings stated that Tucker engaged in the public radio broadcasts and placed the print advertisement without a firm registered principal’s approval.

Prior to working at Brookstone Securities, Inc., David Alan Tucker was a registered representative for Proequities, Inc. a FINRA registered broker-dealer based in South Daytona, Florida. According to Tucker’s FINRA Broker Report (CRD), Tucker was terminated from Proequities for violating firm policy regarding advertising. Tucker’s CRD also indicates that he has been named in at least 1 customer dispute related to possible securities fraud/securities violations.

If you have any questions about investments you made with David Alan Tucker, or if you believe that you have been the victim of a securities fraud, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. may be able to help. David A. Carter is a South Florida securities fraud lawyer based in Boca Raton, Florida. He reviews securities fraud cases throughout the country and Florida, including securities fraud cases in Vero Beach, Melbourne, Daytona Beach, Palm Bay, Sebastian, Cocoa Beach, and Orlando. To contact us, please call us at 561-750-6999 or send an email to contact@carterpa.com. For more information on the firm, please visit http://www.carterpa.com.

The Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. recently prevailed in a bankruptcy case of first impression. The issue before the Court was whether the Trustee retains the power to amend a Debtor’s Trust following the death of the Debtor. The case cite and relevant information regarding the case are as follows:

United States Bankruptcy Court,
S.D. Florida,
Broward Division.
InreWilhelminaDUMFORD, Debtor.
No. 09-17414-BKC-RBR.

Nov. 17, 2009.

David A. Carter, Esq., Boca Raton, FL, for Debtor.

ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO STRIKE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF AMENDMENT TO THE WILHELMINA D. DUMFORD TRUST

RAYMOND B. RAY, Bankruptcy Judge.

* THIS MATTER came before the Court for hearing on August 13, 2009, upon the Motion to Strike Trustee’s Notice of Amendment to the Wilhelmina D. Dumford Trust (the “Motion to Strike”) [D.E. 32], filed by the Debtor. The Court will grant the Motion to Strike.

Background and Procedural History

The facts of this case are undisputed. In or about 1996, the Debtor purchased a condominium in Pembroke Pines, Florida (the “Condo”), which she claimed as her homestead. On or about March 28, 2001, the Debtor executed the Wilhelmina D. Dumford Revocable Living Trust (the “Trust”) FN1 and the last Will and Testament of Wilhelmina D. Dumford. Schedule A of the Trust lists the Condo in a description of Trust property. Article Three of the Trust provides the Debtor with the power to revoke or amend the Trust “while [the Debtor is] living and competent.” Pursuant to Article Four of the Trust, the Debtor granted herself a life estate interest in the Condo.

FN1. A copy of the Trust is attached as Exhibit A to the Motion to Strike.

The Debtor filed a voluntary petition under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code on April 22, 2009 (the “Petition”). On May 31, 2009, the Debtor died testate at the age of 88. On June 15, 2009, Chapter 7 Trustee Marika Tolz (the “Trustee”) filed the Notice of Filing Amendment to the Trust (the “Notice”) [D.E. 29]. The Notice states that the Trustee had amended the Trust so as to make the bankruptcy estate its sole beneficiary. The Debtor filed the Motion to Strike on June 30, 2009, and the Trustee filed a response thereto on August 10, 2009 [D.E. 38]. The parties filed a joint stipulation of facts on September 22, 2009 [D.E. 40]. Interested party Jean Dumford filed a further response to the Notice on November 10, 2009 [D.E. 55].

Conclusions of Law

The issue before the Court is whether the Trustee retains the power to amend the Trust following the death of the Debtor.

Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 541(a), the commencement of a bankruptcy case creates an estate. This estate includes “all legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case,” subject to certain exceptions. 11 U.S.C. § 541(a)(1) (2009). Upon the filing of the Petition, the power of the Debtor to revoke or amend the Trust thus became property of the estate. See Askanase v. Livingwell, Inc., 45 F.3d 103, 106 (5th Cir.1995) (“What comes to the bankruptcy estate is not only the property in which debtor has an interest, but also, the powers the debtor can exercise for its own benefit over property regardless of the title debtor may be acting under.”) (citation omitted).

Notwithstanding its broad scope, § 541(a)(1) limits property of the estate to those interests that the Debtor possesses at the commencement of the case. See Inhttp://www.westlaw.com/Find/Default.wl?rs=dfa1.0&vr=2.0&DB=164&FindType=Y&ReferencePositionType=S&SerialNum=2017321016&ReferencePosition=617re Engman, 395 B.R. 610, 617 (W.D.Mich.2008) (“…’property of the estate’ is limited only to what the debtor himself had owned in that property.”). The property interest of the Debtor that allowed her to revoke or amend the Trust was not absolute; it was contingent upon the Debtor being “living and competent.” The bankruptcy estate inherited that interest subject to the same limitations, and the Trustee cannot now amend the Trust after the Debtor has deceased.

*2 The Trustee has cited several cases in support of the proposition that powers which a debtor can exercise for its own benefit over property may become property of the estate and subject to the control of a bankruptcy trustee. See Askanase, 45 F.3d at 106;Cutter v. Seror ( Inhttp://www.westlaw.com/Find/Default.wl?rs=dfa1.0&vr=2.0&DB=164&FindType=Y&SerialNum=2017665534re Cutter), 398 B.R. 6 (9th Cir. Bankr.App. Panel 2008); West v. Parker (http://www.westlaw.com/Find/Default.wl?rs=dfa1.0&vr=2.0&DB=164&FindType=Y&SerialNum=2006723475Inhttp://www.westlaw.com/Find/Default.wl?rs=dfa1.0&vr=2.0&DB=164&FindType=Y&SerialNum=2006723475re Watson), 325 B.R. 380 (Bankr.S.D.Tex.2005); Osherow v. Porras ( Inhttp://www.westlaw.com/Find/Default.wl?rs=dfa1.0&vr=2.0&DB=164&FindType=Y&SerialNum=1998182978re Porras), 224 B.R. 367 (Bankr.W.D.Tex.1998) [D.E. 38 at pp. 2-7]. The Court does not disagree with that proposition.

The issue here, however, is not whether the Debtor’s interest in the Trust became property of the bankruptcy estate-it did. The issue is the extent of that interest. “In interpreting the terms of a trust, ‘resort is had in the first place to the instrument, if any, under which the trust is created. As to any matter expressly covered by the instrument, the provi-sions of the instrument, if unambiguous, determine the terms of the trust.’ ” Askanase, 45 F.3d at 106 (quoting IIA Scott on Trusts § 164.1 at 253 4th ed.1987). The terms of the Trust are clear: the Debtor could revoke or amend the trust so long as she was living and competent. Those preconditions can no longer be satisfied, and it is therefore

ORDERED that the Motion to Strike [D.E. 32] is GRANTED. The Notice [D.E. 29] is STRICKEN.

Bkrtcy.S.D.Fla.,2009.
In re Dumford
Slip Copy, 2009 WL 3861487 (Bkrtcy.S.D.Fla.)

If you have questions regarding your rights as a Debtor, or if you are considering bankruptcy, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. may be able to help. David A. Carter is a bankruptcy at-torney based in Boca Raton, Florida. He handles bankruptcy cases throughout South Florida, including handling bankruptcy cases on behalf of debtors in Delray Beach, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Sunrise, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, and Pompano Beach. If you have questions regarding the Firm’s bankruptcy practice, please visit our bankruptcy page at http://www.carterpa.com/bankruptcy. To contact the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A., please call 561-750-6999 or email us at contact@carterpa.com.

FINRA recently announced that Alan Frank Pacella (CRD#1689031) (a VFinance Investments, Inc financial advisor in Boca Raton, Florida ) has been censured and fined $10,000. Without admitting or denying the allegations, Pacella consented to the described sanctions and to the entry of findings that he participated in the sale of unregistered securities. The findings stated that Pacella, before entering sales orders, relied on his member firm’s compliance department to review whether the shares were freely tradable. The findings also stated that the compliance department conducted its tradability review in the ordinary course of business and incorrectly approved the securities for public resale, even though the shares were restricted. The findings also included that Pacella had or should have had the company’s Articles of Incorporation and press release, thereby allowing him to determine that the securities were not registered for public sale and not subject to an exemption.

According to Alan Pacella’s CRD, prior to working as a financial advisor at VFinance Investments, Inc., Pacella was registered as a financial advisor with SMH Capital, Inc., Capital Growth Financial, LLC, and PMK Securities & Research, Inc.

If you have any questions about investments you made with Alan Pacella, or if you believe that you have been the victim of a securities fraud, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. may be able to help. David A. Carter is a South Florida securities fraud attorney based in Boca Raton, Florida. He reviews securities fraud cases throughout the country and Florida, including securities fraud cases in Deerfield Beach, Plantation, Parkland, Lighthouse Point, Highland Beach, Pompano Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. To contact us, please call us at 561-750-6999 or send an email to contact@carterpa.com. For more information on the firm, please visit http://www.carterpa.com.

On January 4, 2009, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) announced the settlement of the matter instituted against William Keith Phillips on July 20, 2009. Pursuant to the settlement, the Commission issued an Order Making Findings and Imposing Remedial Sanctions and a Cease-and-Desist Order pursuant to Sections 203(f) and 203(k) of the Investment Advisers Act and Section 15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against William Keith Phillips. On July 20, 2009, the SEC instituted and settled proceedings against Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Rel. 34-60342.
The Order finds that from 2000 through 2006, Phillips worked as a financial adviser at Morgan Stanley, which provided investment advisory services to clients through its Consulting Services Group. During the relevant time period, Morgan Stanley’s disclosure materials described the advisory services it provided which included assisting clients in identifying money managers to manage clients’ assets. Morgan Stanley disclosed the detailed due diligence process it followed to select and approve money managers for participation in the firm’s managed account program. According to its disclosure materials, Morgan Stanley financial advisers selected money managers from this approved list of managers to recommend to clients based on the client’s investment profile and objectives.

The SEC found that contrary to Morgan Stanley’s disclosures, William Keith Phillips recommended to certain advisory clients three money managers who were not approved for participation in Morgan Stanley’s advisory programs and had not been subject to the firm’s due diligence review. This fact was not disclosed to Phillips’ clients. The SEC further found that Phillips had undisclosed relationships with the unapproved money managers he recommended to his advisory clients and that he and Morgan Stanley received substantial brokerage commissions and/or fees from them. Thus, the SEC found that Phillips made misrepresentations about the firm’s money manager recommendation process to his clients and failed to ensure that the conflicts of interest inherent in his recommendations were disclosed to clients. Based on the above, the SEC found that Phillips willfully aided and abetted and caused Morgan Stanley’s violations of Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act.

Pursuant to the Order, the SEC ordered Phillips to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations and any future violations of Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act and suspended him from association with any investment adviser, broker, or dealer for four months, and ordered him to pay a civil monetary penalty in the amount of $80,000. Phillips consented to the issuance of the Order without admitting or denying any of the findings in the Order.

According to his FINRA Broker Report (CRD), William Keith Phillips is currently employed with Wiley Bros.-Aintree Capital, LLC. Prior to being employed by Wiles Bros.-Aintree Capital and Morgan Stanley, Phillips was a registered representative with Painewebber and Shearson Lehman. Phillips’ CRD also indicates that in addition to the SEC’s investigation, he has also been named in at least three customer disputes related to possible securities fraud.

If you have any questions about investments you made with William Keith Phillips, or if you believe that you have been the victim of a securities fraud, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. may be able to help. David A. Carter is a South Florida securities fraud lawyer based in Boca Raton, Florida. He reviews securities fraud cases throughout the country and Florida, including securities fraud cases in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Jupiter, Stuart, and Vero Beach. To contact us, please call us at 561-750-6999 or send an email to contact@carterpa.com. For more information on the firm, please visit http://www.carterpa.com.

The Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. is a South Florida securities fraud, securities arbitration, investor protection, and Chapter 7 bankruptcy law firm based in Boca Raton, Florida.

The Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. has its office in Boca Raton, Florida because of the obvious benefits of being located so close to FINRA Dispute Resolutions’ Southeast headquarters (FINRA’s Southeast office is located at Boca Center Tower 1, 5200 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33486- less than one mile from our office).

Having our office located so close to FINRA’s Southeast headquarters has its advantages, particularly since all cases filed in the southeast portion of the United States are administered out of FINRA’s Boca Raton, Florida Dispute Resolution office. In fact, any securities fraud cases filed with FINRA on behalf of a customer living in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. will likely be assigned to FINRA’s Southeast Region office and administered out of the Boca Raton, Florida office.

Although located in Boca Raton, Florida, the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. handles securities fraud cases throughout Florida and the country, including reviewing and handling securities fraud cases in Pensacola, St. George Island, Tallahassee, Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Mexico Beach, and Mobile, Alabama.

It should be noted, that in addition to Boca Raton, Florida, FINRA Dispute Resolution’s Southeast Region has hearing locations for investor claims/securities fraud cases in Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Birmingham, Alabama; Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Jackson, Mississippi; Jacksonville, Florida; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Miami, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana; Norfolk, Virginia; Orlando, Florida; Raleigh, North Carolina; Richmond, Virginia; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tampa, Florida; Washington, DC; and Wilmington, Delaware. Accordingly, just because a case filed in the Southeast portion of the country is administered by FINRA’s Boca Raton, Florida office, does not mean that a customer’s case will be heard in Boca Raton. Generally speaking, FINRA will select the hearing location closest to the investor’s residence. The Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. is set up to handle securities fraud cases at any of FINRA’s hearing locations.

To contact the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A., please call 561-750-6999, or email us at contact@carterpa.com. For more information about the Law Offices of David A. Carter, P.A. or securities fraud, you can also visit our website at http://www.carterpa.com.