With the slowly recovering economy and the aftershocks of 2008’s financial crisis still felt nationwide, many people are reluctant to invest their money. Theft or embezzlement of investment funds is a reality that many Americans face, and it can have financial and emotional repercussions on victims for years to come.
If you’re facing embezzlement of your investment funds, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. A skilled investment lawyer can help you take the necessary steps to report the embezzlement and regain financial security.
Handling Investment Fund Embezzlement With an Investment Lawyer
Selecting an Investment Lawyer
Before you pursue your claim through legal channels, you need to find an investment lawyer to guide you through the process. Look for an investment lawyer with a solid reputation and history of successful investment fund embezzlement cases in your area. Your investment lawyer should be passionate about pursuing justice for you.
Determining Whether You Have a Claim
Before you can pursue legal action against a broker or financial advisor who embezzled your investment funds, your investment lawyer must determine if you have a viable claim. Loss of money is not enough proof — you need to show proof that your advisor or broker breached contract or fiduciary duty, made improper or speculative investment sales, completed unauthorized trading, or committed fraud or embezzlement. Your investment lawyer has the legal knowledge and power to investigate if these improper activities took place, supplying the basis of your claim.
If the embezzlement was committed by a Registered Investment Advisor, your investment lawyer will also determine if they are a legitimate, licensed advisor who is legally allowed to provide investment services in the first place. This will further help establish your claim.
The Next Steps
Once your claim is legitimized, your investment lawyer will handle the legal process of reporting the embezzlement and prosecuting the financial advisor or broker who committed theft. Your investment lawyer will be familiar with embezzlement cases and precedents so that they can successfully guide you through civil and criminal proceedings.
Get an Experienced Wisconsin Investment Lawyer
If you have experienced investment fund embezzlement in Wisconsin, you need an accomplished investment lawyer who can effectively handle your claim. The team at Gutglass, Erickson, Bonville & Larson Law will diligently work to recover your funds and prosecute those who wronged you. We proudly serve the greater Milkwaukee area. If you need an investment lawyer, contact us today for a consultation.
