Alaska

Herskovits PLLC exclusively represents individuals in the financial services industry. Our practice areas include securities litigation and arbitration, securities industry regulatory defense, broker-dealer advisory services, securities industry employment litigation, and commercial litigation. We are a small firm, but our size allows us to provide unprecedented client service at affordable and predictable rates. Our office is located in New York City, but we can at times provide legal counsel to individuals in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Sitka, and other areas in Alaska, subject to admission pro hac vice.  We are licensed to practice law in New York only and this webpage is for general informational purposes only.

Although the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) administers and enforces the securities laws at the federal level, each state has also enacted its own securities laws, known as "Blue Sky" laws. In Alaska, this law is known as the Alaska Securities Act ("Act"). The Division of Banking and Securities administers and enforces the Act, and it is also charged with the responsibilities of registering securities, licensing investment advisors and broker-dealers, and investigating alleged violations of the securities laws.

A recent Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration proceeding demonstrates the large awards possible in securities disputes. Thus, it is prudent to obtain the assistance of an experienced securities attorney to handle these matters. In this proceeding, a FINRA arbitration panel in Anchorage found Respondents Burch & Company, Inc. and John Frederick Jeffers jointly and severally liable for $350,000 in compensatory damages. [In the Matter of the FINRA Arbitration Between Frank Griswold, Claimant, v. Burch & Company, William Clifford Congdon, III, and John Frederick Jeffers, Respondents (FINRA Arbitration 10-02477, August 25, 2011)].

Mr. Frederick asserted numerous causes of action in connection with a tenant-in-common share of Beamer Place Apartments, including negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and breach of contract. Interestingly, the panel did not access damages against Respondent William Clifford Congdon, III because in January 2011, he filed for bankruptcy under the United States Bankruptcy Code. Consequently, as soon as a petition for bankruptcy was filed, all claims against him were stayed. Fortunately for Claimant, there were two other respondents to collect damages from.

If you are involved in a state or federal securities matter, you should seek the assistance of an experienced securities attorney. At Herskovits PLLC, we have the knowledge and experience to handle your case. We represent broker-dealers, registered representatives, and other industry participants in a wide range of securities disputes in court and in FINRA arbitrations.

We are a small firm, but our size is one of our best assets, and it allows us to avoid the conflicts of interest faced by larger firms and represent clients with numerous claims. Although we are located in New York, we can provide legal assistance to clients across the country. If you would like to find out more about our services, please contact us at (212) 897-5410. You may also fill out our contact form, and we will promptly respond to your inquiry.