Recognized in the Industry
Badge - AV Preeminent 2020
Badge - Best Attorneys of America
Super Lawyers
Badge - Badge - Avvo Rating 10.0 Top Attorney
Martindale-Hubbell Client Reviewed
Expertise - Best Employment Lawyers in New York City
Avvo Reviews
NYC Bar Association

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

From Jenice's interview for the Masters of the Courtroom series on ReelLawyers.com.
View Transcript

A breach of fiduciary duty occurs when your broker does not use a high degree of care in overseeing your investment portfolio. The fiduciary duty is created by the trust you put in your broker once the broker/client relationship is formed. Other types of fiduciary relationships include attorney/client and trustee/beneficiary. Due to the nature of your special relationship, your broker has the fiduciary obligation to put your best interests first, as their client. If you notice that your broker disregarded your financial goals or put their interests first, your broker may have breached their fiduciary duty. A New York securities breach of fiduciary duty law firm like Malecki Law can review your registered investment advisor’s or broker’s conduct around your portfolio at no cost.

There are multiple fiduciary duties owed to you. A fiduciary has a duty of loyalty to a customer and must act in the client’s best interest, putting the client’s interest ahead of his or her own interest. Therefore, your broker must not engage in self-dealing. Further, a fiduciary has the duty to disclose any relevant information to your investments and overall portfolio.

Your broker can breach their fiduciary duty by engaging in misconduct related to your investments, including securities fraud or unauthorized trading. If your broker recommended unsuitable investments to you, they may have also breached their fiduciary duty owed to you. A New York securities breach of fiduciary duty attorney at Malecki Law can review your situation in a free consultation. An example of a breach of fiduciary duty is recommending junk bonds as safe, or an annuity in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

Your broker is allowed to use investment analysis tools to help make decisions. For example, your broker may utilize a tool that assists in retirement planning. This tool would likely take various factors into account, for example, your expected retirement age and your current 401(k) or IRA account values. However, such investment analysis tools are subject to requirements your broker must comply with, including descriptions of the tool’s criteria and explanations as to how your results may change. Therefore, your broker cannot make predictions regarding your investments. If your broker expressed guarantees regarding your investments, your broker likely breached their fiduciary duty. A securities breach of fiduciary duty lawyer in New York at Malecki Law can review your portfolio at no cost.

The Distinction Between Stockbrokers and Investment Advisors

Stockbrokers are agents of broker-dealers and investment advisor representatives (IARs) are agents of registered investment advisors (RIAs). Both brokers and IARs might be referred to as “financial advisors,” although it is important to note that brokers can be held to a different standard than IARs. Brokers are registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA); thus, they are subject to FINRA’s “Suitability” rule. If it seems as though your financial advisor did not act in your best interest, he/she potentially breached his/her fiduciary duty owed to you. A New York securities breach of fiduciary duty law firm like Malecki Law will assess your potential case with the experience it takes to understand your case. The Suitability rule requires brokers to only recommend investments that are suitable for their clients. Whereas IARs are either registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or their state regulator; thus, they are subject to the respective regulators’ rules.

Investment Advisers Act of 1940

Registered investment advisors (RIAs) fall under the regulatory umbrella of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The act established and imposed a fiduciary duty on financial advisors. Fiduciary obligations that land under the fiduciary duty typically include full and fair disclosures regarding any potential conflicts of interest and informed consent given by clients. The bottom line is that advisors should and must act in the best interest of their clients, rather than their own. Generally, advisors with at least $100 million in assets under management (AUM), must register with the SEC. Meanwhile, advisors that manage under $100 million AUM, usually must register with their respective state regulator, for example, the NJ Bureau of Securities.

The SEC recently adopted a new standard for financial advisors, known as Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI). This new rule places a uniform standard on brokers and IARs that give investment recommendations or advice to retail customers, like yourself. Reg BI requires financial advisors to “act in the best interest of the retail customer at the time the recommendation is made, without placing the financial or other interest…ahead of the interests of the retail customer.”

Attorney Advertisement. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Testimonials From Former Clients
★★★★★
I highly recommend Jenice and her team at Malecki Law. I had a challenging, and lengthly case. Jenice was professional, very knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. She managed to make the process far less stressful during a very difficult time. They care about their clients, and it definitely shows. Mario
★★★★★
Jenice is truly a miracle worker and one of the top securities lawyers. She handled a very difficult case for us, displaying her legal knowledge, intelligence, and savviness throughout the process. I cannot recommend her enough. The quality of work from her team rivals that of corporate law firms. She was always available, extremely professional, and made sure to know all the details of the case. We were very fortunate to have been referred to Jenice and highly recommend her for any securities related legal issues. Nathan A.
★★★★★
An excellent professional who represented us in trial regarding a bank fraud, an unexpected and difficult time. A professional that worked hard, persevering and who stood toe to toe against firms that had a team of excellent lawyers backing them up. Her unflinching determination really stands out, it makes you feel you have someone who really cares about trying to recover what you lost from the people that wronged you. Salomon Levi
★★★★★
It is difficult to thank you in words when gratitude comes from the heart, so I will try to link feelings with writing. It is essential for us to mention your excellence as a professional, your aptitude on legal fields, and your unavoidable persistence. All of these virtues that elevate the profession you exercise in such an admirable way, go hand in hand with your sense of ethics, your human warmth and the transparency in your actions. To sum up, thank you for being a listening ear and for having the right word while transmitting information about the legal process. Having you as our representative during such an adverse situation was a privilege and enough reason for our eternal gratitude. Angeles Aparain
★★★★★
To say that my securities litigation was complex would be a severe understatement. With multiple parties involved and spanning many years, trying to understand the issues was daunting to say the least. Jenice and her team broke down the transactions by segment and by party uncovering every hidden expense. In the end, I was more than happy and could not thank Jenice and her team enough. I would not hesitate to recommend Jenice to anyone. She is highly professional, incredibly knowledgeable, well connected to industry experts, has a tireless work ethic and is so pleasant and easy to communicate with. Five stars for sure! Andrew Loughrane
★★★★★
Jenice was also special in giving us all the personal attention we needed, plus the tireless support of her crack team, over the course of ~18 mos. She talked us through every step of the way, and was open to discussing specific negotiation tactics, not glossing over anything. Dave Bliss
★★★★★
I recently worked with Jenice to negotiate a business buyout, and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. From the start, Jenice was incredibly helpful and deeply invested in achieving the best possible outcome for me. Her expertise and dedication were evident in every step of the process. David
★★★★★
I can’t say enough about Jenice and her team- they set the standard. As an Army veteran, I deeply respect the values they reinforce while operating at a level of tenacity that is unmatched. They handled the entire process with empathy and kindness- yet were firm and honest regarding expectations and outcomes. Communication was clear and swift. Their breadth of knowledge and experience provided comfort during a stressful time and was impressive to watch unfold. I’m very happy with the outcome. Thank you Jenice and team for making giants seem extremely small. Sharron Todd
★★★★★
My experience with jenice was incredible. You want a lawyer who is advocate for you and fights for you with passion. She came along a time in my life that I needed an advocate who truly cared about me and my case. Highly recommend. Pat Brown
★★★★★
I had the privilege of working with Malecki Law, and I must say it was an outstanding experience. Jenice, Jacqueline, and Adam consistently demonstrated remarkable responsiveness, offering excellent advice that reflects their diligence and precision. Their bold and intelligent approach, combined with an excellent attitude, truly sets them apart. I highly recommend Malecki Law to anyone seeking top-notch legal assistance. Mohsen Chitsaz
★★★★★
Jenice Malecki, is one of the most helpful individuals Ive had the pleasure of speaking with. She is super knowledgeable. She helped me navigate the ever changing world of securities law. You will find her understanding of complex matters helpful and insightful. She is straightforward and candid. She makes your options easy to understand. I would recommend her without any hesitation. 10/5 stars! Enrique Tiburcio