FINRA Regional Office Reorganization – Effective December 8, 2025 FINRA just announced that there is going to be an organizational change at DRS. Effective December 8, 2025, DRS is consolidating from four regions to three: East (New York), Central (Chicago), and West (Los Angeles). The statement claims that the streamlined […]
Tag: Securities Defense Attorney
Insider Trading Lawyer & Compliance Defense
Insider Trading Lawyer for SEC & FINRA Investigations – Protect your reputation, your license, and your future. If you or your firm is facing questions about insider trading, early counsel is critical. Regulatory agencies—including the SEC, FINRA, and the Department of Justice—prioritize insider trading enforcement and aggressively pursue civil and […]
Should Brokers and Firms Share a Lawyer?
By Mark J. Astarita, Esq. A repeating question on my website comes from brokers who are named in an arbitration proceeding by a customer, and whose firm offers to provide an attorney to represent both the broker and the firm. The question is always, do I need my own attorney? […]
SEC Continues Efforts to Assist Market Participants During Implementation of Treasury Clearing Rules
The SEC has increased its support for broker-dealers and other market participants navigating the transition to mandatory central clearing of U.S. Treasury securities. The Commission launched a dedicated “one-stop” webpage providing up-to-date information, staff statements, regulatory materials and answers to frequently asked questions. (SEC) Background to the Treasury Clearing Rule […]
Time to Update the SEC’s Wells Process
We have written about the SEC’s Wells process in the past. A Wells Notice is a notice from a regulator that it intends to bring enforcement proceeding against the recipient, and offering the opportunity to argue against those charges. In my article Responding to a Wells Notice, I examined the […]
Insider Trading Settlement in Blue Apron Stock
The SEC has announced the settlement of an insider trading investigation with David J. Minson in the securities of Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. based on material nonpublic information that Minson misappropriated from an immediate family member, a senior executive at Blue Apron(the “Blue Apron Executive”). According to the settlement document, […]
SEC Names Judge Margaret Ryan as Director of the Division of Enforcement
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Judge Margaret “Meg” Ryan has been named Director of the Division of Enforcement, effective Sept. 2, 2025. Acting Director of Enforcement Sam Waldon will return to his previous role as Chief Counsel for the Division. From the Press Release: “I am thrilled […]
SEC Charges Investment Adviser and Firm for Fraud and Breaching Fiduciary Duties
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed charges against David Yow Shang Chiueh, an investment adviser based in East Hanover, New Jersey, along with his firm, Upright Financial Corp. The charges stem from multiple violations, including excessive investment concentration and fraudulent activities that led to significant financial losses for […]
SEC Charges Investment Adviser and Two Officers for Misuse of Fund and Portfolio Company Assets
SEC Takes Action Against Investment Adviser and Executives Over Misappropriation of Assets Washington, D.C., March 7, 2025 – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced settled charges against registered investment adviser Momentum Advisors LLC, along with its former managing partner Allan J. Boomer and former chief operating officer Tiffany […]
How SEC Investigations Work: Process, Defense Strategies & Legal Guidance
Introduction -Why an SEC Investigation Demands Strategic Counsel SEC Investigations, and ultimately SEC enforcement proceedings, can be disruptive and devastating events for individuals and corporations. Understanding how SEC investigations work, and hiring an experienced securities defense attorney is crucial. Understanding what to expect during the SEC investigation will also help […]
