Investor Lawyers Blog

Selling Away Lawyers

Published on: July 15, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Former Customer of Ex-Merrill Lynch Broker Greg Whelan Alleged Selling Away Losses. Our Selling Away Lawyers Are Investigating

Selling away can lead to serious investor losses. At Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas (investorlawyers.com), our Selling Away Lawyers are speaking to former customers of financial advisor Gregory DePaul Whelan who have experienced portfolio losses that they suspect may involve investments that were never approved by his then-brokerage firm Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith.

Greg Whelan, who is now a Kovack Securities registered representative, resigned from Merrill Lynch last year following allegations of selling away and conflicts of interest. His CRD notes that at least one customer dispute alleging selling away, unsuitability, and misrepresentations that was filed concluded with a $3.5M settlement. Whelan denies wrongdoing.

Bond Loss Lawyers

Published on: July 15, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Are You an Easterly ROCMuni High Income Municipal Bond Fund Investor Who Suffered Serious Losses? Our Trusted Bond Loss Lawyers Want To Talk To You

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Bond Loss Lawyers (investorlawyers.com) is investigating portfolio losses involving Easterly ROCMuni High Income Municipal Bond Fund (RMJAX, RMHIX

and RMHVX). This municipal junk bond fund, which has lost many millions of dollars, was sold to investors by brokerage firms, including Janney Montgomery Scott, Osaic, and Stifel Nicholas, among many others.

REIT Investment Recovery Law Firm

Published on: July 15, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

For Peakstone Realty Trust REIT Investors, There Is Still Time To File A Claim For Your Losses. Our REIT Investment Recovery Law Firm Continues To Investigate Broker-Dealers Over Allegedly Unsuitable Sales

If you are an investor who sustained losses in Peakstone Realty Trust (NYSE:PKST) (formerly Griffin Realty Trust) Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas REIT Investment Recovery Law Firm (investorlawyers.com) can help you determine whether you have grounds for pursuing damages. We are investigating whether broker-dealers unsuitably marketed and sold this real estate investment trust (REIT) to their customers.

This now publicly registered REIT joined the New York Stock Exchange in 2023. Not long after, it saw a huge drop in its net asset value, followed by a reverse stock split. However, even before Peakstone Realty Trust REIT changed its name, it was already the subject of investor complaints when it was known as Griffin Realty Trust.

Broker Fraud Attorneys

Published on: July 15, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

69 Investor Lawsuits Filed By Former Customers of Ex-BOK Financial Securities Broker Gihan Fernando. Our Broker Fraud Attorneys Continue To Investigate Further Loss Claims

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Broker Fraud Attorneys (investorlawyers.com) is offering free, no-obligation case consultations to customers who have suffered serious portfolio losses while working with former Bok Financial Securities stockbroker Gihan Anil Fernando. The Texas financial advisor is now a registered representative with Cetera Investment Services.

Fernando, who has worked 23 years in the industry, is also known as Gihan Raphael Fernando or Raphael Fernando. According to his CRD, at least 69 customer complaints have been filed by his former customers who sought to recoup their losses.

Broker Fraud Lawyers

Published on: July 15, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Texas Couple Sues Rockefeller Financial Over Virage (VRF) and Other Alternative Investment Losses. Our Broker Fraud Lawyers Are Representing These Retirees, Who Are Seeking Up To $1M in Damages.

If you are an investor who suffered losses in Virage (VRF), LP, Shepherd Smith Edward, and Kantas Broker Fraud Lawyers (investorlawyers.com) want to talk to you. We recently filed a FINRA lawsuit on behalf of two Texas seniors who are suing Rockefeller Financial for losses they sustained in this limited partnership, as well as in structured notes and other privately traded products that were completely unsuitable for them and not in their best interests. Now, our clients are requesting up to $1M in damages.

The older couple entrusted Rockefeller Financial with their life savings. In their FINRA arbitration case, they contend that then-Rockefeller Financial broker David Frankfort (also known as Samuel David Frankfort) promised to make sound recommendations that were not risky, per their request.

Chicago Unsuitability Law Firm

Published on: July 15, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

The Chicago Unsuitability Law Firm of Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas

When Brokers Fail To Make an Appropriate Investment Recommendation and the Investor Loses Money

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Chicago Unsuitability Law Firm (investorlawyers.com) is proud to represent Illinois investors against financial advisors and brokerage firms that made unsuitable investment recommendations. Contact our Chicago unsuitability securities law office if you are someone who would like to explore your legal options.

Broker Negligence Attorneys

Published on: July 15, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

iCapital VRF Investors in Texas May Be Adversely Impacted After MSRP Recovery/LifeWallet Losses. Our Houston Broker Negligence Attorneys Are Investigating Rockefeller Financial, Ex-Broker Samuel Frankfort, and Others That May Have Sold This Investment

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Broker Negligence Attorneys (investorlawyers.com) is investigating claims of losses involving iCapital VRF that may have impacted Texas investors, in particular those in the Houston area. Our Houston broker misconduct law firm is looking at Rockefeller Financial, including former financial advisor Samuel David Frankfort, and any other brokers that may have sold this investment to customers.

Rockefeller Financial is a subsidiary of Rockefeller Capital Management, which partnered with iCapital to give Rockefeller clients access to certain kinds of investment opportunities. Many of Rockefeller Financial’s customers are wealthy investors.

FINRA Arbitration Attorneys

Published on: July 15, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Our Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda) FINRA Arbitration Attorneys Are Representing This Chinese Retiree in Her Six-Figure Lawsuit

Once again, Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas FINRA Arbitration Attorneys (investorlawyers.com) are suing Cetera Investment Services on behalf of a Chinese investor who suffered losses in the offshore entity Northstar Financial Services (Bermuda). This claimant, an octogenarian, is pursuing up to $500K in damages for her losses.

She met her then-Cetera broker John Yin (also known as Hai Guang Yin, Haiguan Hai Yin) through East West Bank, where she and her family had accounts. This retiree thought placing the family’s assets in the US for safekeeping would be a wise decision, considering the fluctuations and risks common in her homeland.

High-Yield Fund Loss Attorneys

Published on: July 11, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Are You an Easterly ROCMuni High Income Municipal Bond Fund Investor Who Suffered Serious Losses? Our High-Yield Fund Loss Attorneys Want To Talk To You

Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas High-Yield Fund Loss Attorneys (investorlawyers.com) are investigating portfolio losses involving Easterly ROCMuni High Income Municipal Bond Fund (RMJAX, RHHIX , and RMHVX). This junk bond, which has lost many millions of dollars, was sold to investors by brokerage firms, including Janney Montgomery Scott.

In June 2025, this HY Muni Fund lost nearly 50% of its value in one day, somewhere between $50M and $100M. Its net assets, $232M at the end of March, by June 23 that had dropped to $25.1M. That happened after a fire sale initiated by Easterly ROCMuni High Income Municipal Bond Fund. Its year-to-date performance declined to -57.34%.

Stockbroker Negligence Law Firm

Published on: July 2, 2025 | by Shepherd Smith Edwards & Kantas, LLP

Have You Ever Been A Customer of Former Merrill Lynch Broker Greg Whelan? If You Suffered Portfolio Losses During That Time, Contact Our Stockbroker Negligence Law Firm

The Shepherd Smith Edwards and Kantas Stockbroker Negligence Law Firm (investorlawyers.com) is investigating claims of portfolio losses by current or former customers of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, broker Greg Whelan, who is now with Kovack Securities.

He was a Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith financial advisor from 2013 to 2025 but voluntarily resigned from that firm following allegations of selling away, conflict of interest, and more. According to Greg Whelan’s CRD, he has worked for 16 years in the industry.