Expert Legal Services for Employment Terminations

Employment Dispute Resolution

If you are facing a termination or have been wrongfully terminated by your employer, HLBS Law can help. We represent financial advisors facing retaliation, discrimination, breach of contract, or defamation from their employers, which can significantly impact their careers.

Whether you want to take your case to court or pursue arbitration or mediation, our experienced attorneys support you throughout the process. By protecting your rights and fighting your case, we help you clear your name, secure damages for what you’ve lost, and ensure you can continue your career in the financial industry.

Types of Terminations

Breach of Contract

Defamation

Discrimination

Retaliation

Tortious Interference With a Contract

Whistleblowing

Wrongful Termination

Securities Lawyer for Terminations

HLBS Law represents clients who have been terminated or are facing termination in the financial services industry. We investigate your case, determine if there were grounds for the termination, and support you throughout mediation, arbitration, or litigation.

Some forms of termination in the financial industry require public disclosure, which can affect your reputation and your ability to continue working in the financial sector. It’s not uncommon for firms to make baseless or false claims to terminate an employee, depending on the circumstances.

You don’t have to wait until you are terminated to seek legal counsel. If you believe you will be terminated or are under investigation, the time to hire an attorney is now. Contact HLBS Law to review your case and determine the best action.

We can help you restore your employment, get lost benefits and wages, get coverage for legal fees, and additional compensation, depending on your individual circumstances and goals.

Contact us to schedule a consultation

If you have been named in a dispute in FINRA arbitration or plan to pursue a claim

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Form U5

Form U5 is the standard form that an employer must file for any financial advisor leaving the firm for any reason within 30 days of the termination. Different wording can be used on this form, which can ultimately impact your career.

“Voluntary” is the best type of language, as this means the disclosure remains private, and no public disclosure is created with the Central Registration Depository (CRD). However, other types of language can result in public disclosure, including “permitted to resign,” “termination,” and “public disclosure of the U5”.

Changing a U5 form once it has been filed can be challenging, so it’s essential to secure legal counsel now to prevent this from happening.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have a claim for wrongful termination?

The only way to know for certain is to talk with a securities lawyer. However, some signs you may have a case include losing your job after questioning firm practices, being terminated in a way that violates your employee contract, or being fired after a client complaint.

Can I be terminated for having a client complaint against me?

Depending on the complaint, it is possible that a firm would terminate instead of going through the arbitration process. Some complaints are baseless, so if your firm terminates you in light of a complaint, it’s important to discuss your case with an experienced securities attorney to determine if you have been wrongfully terminated.

Why shouldn’t I simply seek other employment after being terminated?

A U5 termination is permanent on your record, and many employers are cautious about hiring someone with a U5 termination. As such, it can significantly impact your chances of employment and future opportunities in the financial industry. If there’s even a chance that you have been wrongfully terminated or that your U5 is false, it’s imperative to seek legal counsel to protect your reputation.

What Is an Employment Separation After Allegations (ESAA) Disclosure?

This is essentially the same as a U5 termination; it’s the term for the disclosure after your removal from the firm and is what people will see on BrokerCheck.