Hawaii Securities Arbitration & Litigation Lawyers

The Hawaii securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP specializes in securities arbitration through Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) within the state of Hawaii and around the United States. Our Hawaii investment fraud attorneys represent investors in Honolulu, Hawaii Kai, Kalua, Lanikai, the North Shore, Kuai, the island of Hawai’I, and Maui.

For years our attorneys have represented individual Hawaiians investors in securities arbitrations. Our attorneys have worked and practiced in the state of Hawaii. In fact, Mr. Gana clerked for the Honorable Alan C. Kay, Federal District Court Judge in the District of Hawaii, lived in Waikiki, and met his wife in Hawaii.

Securities misconduct comes in many different forms and no two cases are the exactly same. Sometimes, brokers misrepresent the risks of securities. Sometimes, brokers buy and sell securities excessively for the purpose of generating commissions – this conduct is known as churning. Other times, financial advisers sell securities that are not suitable or appropriate for investors.

The Hawaii investment fraud attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP have extensive experience bringing claims across the spectrum in FINRA securities arbitration. Those claims include the sale of unsuitable investments, broker theft or conversion, the failure to supervise and unauthorized trading.

In general, many investors lose money and fail to understand the cause of their losses. Some have unanswered questions about their accounts and want answers. In addition, many investors are angered that their broker recommended risky investments and want to determine whether they have a legal claim.

It is important to remember Hawaiians are protected by legislative statutes, both state and federal, but also by industry rules that prohibit brokers from engaging in churning, unauthorized trading, fraud, the unsuitable sale of securities and other forms of securities misconduct. Below are useful links and resources covering some of the investor protections available in the State of Hawaii.

The Securities Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs regulates securities in Hawaii and is separated into three branches: Compliance; Enforcement; and Investor Education. Organizationally, these branches fall under the Business Registration Division, which is administered by the Securities Commissioner. The Securities Compliance Branch is responsible for the registration of securities, broker-dealers and their sales agents, investment advisers and their representatives doing business in Hawaii. The Securities Enforcement Branch receives and investigates complaints regarding potential violations of Hawaii securities laws and prosecutes securities fraud and other securities violations. Finally, the Investor Education Program provides free investor information & educational presentations and develops outreach projects for Hawaii’s people.

FINRA - regulates and overseas all broker-dealers in the United States. FINRA, in conjunction with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also creates and enforces the securities laws.

It is important to note that none of these regulatory organizations represent victims. To maximize the return for victims of securities fraud, you must retain a securities attorney.

The Oahu securities attorneys at Gana Weinstein LLP can help you determine if your investment losses were the result of normal market forces or misconduct by Wall Street. We apply a detailed forensic approach to understanding your investments and apply the appropriate law to advance your causes. Our initial step is case analysis. Once we fully understand your investments and your story, we draft a claim on your behalf. The process usually takes between 9-12 months from the day our securities attorneys are retained to the date of resolution of the matter.

A FINRA arbitration can be resolved in one of three ways. First, the case can go through a full evidentiary hearing and a panel can render a decision. Second, the case can settle through direct negotiation. Finally, the case can settle via mediation. A mediation is where the parties jointly agree to hire a third party neutral to try to resolve the case.

Gana Weinstein LLP represents investors in all islands across Hawaii from Kauai, Maui, Oahu and the Big Island. To learn more about securities topics please visit our Securities Arbitration & Litigation page.