Home » Knowledge Center

Legal Risk Management Tips

Introduction to Security Token Offerings: What You Need to Know

With the financial sector constantly evolving, it is important to stay abreast of new investment vehicles.
Even if you’re not yet ready to embrace these offerings, your clients will likely have questions as these offerings gain popularity. Among the newest type of offerings that we anticipate gaining market traction in the long term are Security Token Offerings (“STOs”).
Read More

Top SEC Enforcement Actions of 2024 and What Investment Advisers and Broker-Dealers Can Learn from Them

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) continued to play a vital role in ensuring firms’ compliance with securities regulations in its mission to protect investors and promote transparency. In 2024, enforcement actions resulted in a record-breaking $8.2 billion in financial remedies. Interestingly, the number of enforcement actions dropped by 26% compared to 2023, as the SEC adopted a new strategy of high-impact actions and promoting self-reporting.

Areas that received the most scrutiny this year included emerging technology and alternative currency, off-channel communications, and cybersecurity.

This month’s Risk Management Tip focuses on five key SEC enforcement actions and violations of 2024, and how investment advisers, broker-dealers, and others can use these lessons to enhance their compliance programs and avoid costly mistakes.… Read More

Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Other Protections for Investors

Structuring a business strategically plays a major role in optimizing benefits and in protecting the business from potential issues.  Another important facet of strategically structuring a business is to plan for the unexpected and put in place safety nets and contingency plans in the event of a business threat. This is the core principle of risk mitigation. What happens if a business owner is unable or unwilling to pay off a personal debt? Can creditors come after their business assets? It depends.… Read More

Strategic Defense Approach to SEC or FINRA Enforcement Actions

There are several approaches a firm can take if they are faced with an investigation or potential enforcement action for failing to meet regulatory requirements. A firm’s approach to allegations or enforcement actions will depend heavily on their existing compliance culture, their history of documentation and recordkeeping, and their ability to demonstrate their commitment to compliance. … Read More

Industry Publications

Regulatory Focus On Off-Channel Communications: What You Need to Know for Your Compliance Program

Director of Operations and Counsel Kathryn Konzen, Esq. explores the vulnerabilities to cyberattacks in the financial sector in the article titled “Cybersecurity: Regulatory Compliance, Attacks, and Risk Mitigation,” published in GRC Outlook. The article offers insight into why the sector remains a target for cybercriminals and how to mitigate cyber risks.… Read More

Recent Blog Posts

Suing a Client, Vendor Or Third-Party For Breach of Contract- Business Disputes: Mitigate, Mediate, and Safeguard

A business owner is faced with potential disruptions to business operations when another party has failed to meet their contractual obligations, thus, breaching their contract. Whether it’s the failure to deliver goods on time, incomplete services, or unfulfilled financial obligations, the consequences can be severe, ranging from financial loss to reputational damage.… Read More

What to Do If You Have Been Sued for Breach of Contract – Business Disputes: Mitigate, Mediate and Safeguard

In this blog post titled, “What to do if you have been Sued for Breach of Contract,” Litigation attorney, Ms. Mehta offers key steps to take that can help resolve a dispute amicably or at least limit the damage to the business. All businesses run a risk of dispute at some point, from partner and shareholder disagreements to complaints and litigious action from external sources. No matter what the source or reason, disputes remain a source of stress, a drain on resources and a distraction if not a derailment from business goals.… Read More

Key Compliance Considerations for Third-Party Vendor Oversight

FINRA and the SEC focus on protecting clients’ interests by covering all potential risk areas that could harm investors.

One pivotal area for financial firms to consider is their due diligence efforts related to third-party service providers. Third-party service providers are an extension of your firm. Regardless of whether the vendor is deemed critical or non-critical (Read more on this here), if not properly vetted and continuously supervised, weak controls by your vendor can expose your firm, and by extension, your clients to a range of risks.
Read More

Events

Media Mentions

Need Help Navigating Complex Legal Matters for Your Business?

Our experienced team takes a confident, calm, and responsive approach to each client’s situation, strategizing together internally and as an extension of your team to ensure that all the right bases are covered and the proper steps are taken to reach your business objectives.