You put your hard-earned money into the investment scheme recommended by someone you trusted. You did the legwork to vet your investment professional, learned as much as possible about the strategy, and trusted their expertise and reputation. Now, you need help finding an attorney.

You should find an attorney if you lose significant money due to blatant fraud, schemes, or other illegal and unjust methods. Finding a lawyer who has exceptional insight and experience in investor protection and advocacy is not simple. You risk losing more money if you hire a lawyer without enough experience in these legal matters.

Instead, turn to PIABA, a dedicated resource designed specifically for your plight—financial loss due to security fraud or mismanagement. PIABA is a resource and collective of skilled attorneys across the country who will advocate for investor protection.

Why Specialist Experience Matters When Finding an Attorney

Data shared by the Federal Trade Commission demonstrates the sheer abuse investors face. In 2024, consumers reported losing $5.7 billion in investment scams, a 24% increase over 2023. When this happens to you, finding an attorney who understands the complexity of these scams can be challenging. You need to find an attorney who:

• Understands the nature of investments
• Maintains a working knowledge of new schemes and fraud methods
• Has a clear understanding of securities law
• Has experience – not just knowledge – of FINRA arbitration

This specialized knowledge is essential because you, as the scammed investor, are at risk without it. Finding an attorney with years of experience representing victims like this is critical to your case’s outcome.

The PIABA Advantage

The Public Investors Advocate Bar Association (PIABA) was first formed in 1990 with a specific mission to represent investors in complex and ever-changing securities industry disputes. The organization has the unique ability to provide victims with the ability to find a lawyer, including securities fraud lawyers, who have experience and proven results in securities arbitration and litigation.

The mission is clear: to promote fairness in alternative dispute resolution, advocate specifically for investor protections, and help consumers find an attorney to handle complex legal issues.

Finding an attorney through PIABA offers several advantages to you in your fight against fraud and loss:

• Investor-focused: The attorneys in this bar association specifically commit themselves to investor support. Industry knowledge is a difference maker.
• Vetting: PIABA members are fully vetted. These attorneys have experience representing countless victims of securities fraud. Members are admitted based on hours worked with investors, not monetary value.
• Good standing: A full review of the legal assistance provided to demonstrate that the lawyer is in good standing is also essential. PIABA is a lawyer referral service that confidently supports investors who need to hire a lawyer with a proven background to handle their cases.

The services offered by PIABA are unique from other lawyer referral services. Finding an attorney for those facing these types of losses and negligence requires unique skills that a standard attorney referral service may be unable to offer.

Using the PIABA “Find an Attorney” Directory

Finding a trustworthy attorney requires some research. However, using the PIABA directory makes the process rather straightforward.

• Input the state you need legal help in since many financial security laws are state-specific, or search by zip code.
• If you want to hire a lawyer you already know but want to vet that professional, search their name in the tool instead.
• You see a list of attorneys represented and a description of who they are, the types of cases they handle, and the specific recognitions they offer.
• Finding an attorney with very specific needs or qualities is easy to do.
• Call them. Set up a consultation. Start getting answers.

Finding an attorney like this takes out the guesswork. You can see this attorney’s skill set and what they have helped others accomplish. There’s no sales language here. It’s hard facts vetted by PIABA that you can use to make a good decision when you need to find a lawyer and get legal assistance.

Taking the Next Step

What should you do now? Finding an attorney may seem like taking another leap of faith, perhaps one that is a bit worrisome for you. Yet, the PIABA network helps reduce those risks by providing lawyers and authentic details that allow you to compare professionals.

After using the Finding an Attorney tool, you can contact the attorney through the PIABA network. It’s then necessary to set up a consultation to give you time to understand better how well this legal professional can represent you. Prepare for your consultation by gathering all documents and details about what occurred.

Ask questions during your consultation to understand how well this attorney fits your needs. Discuss their experience in cases like your own and expectations moving forward. Ensure they make the time for you. You should feel good when you hire a lawyer to handle your case.

Making Finding an Attorney Easier for Investors

There is no justification for abuse of your investment. When you need help finding an attorney who will fight hard for the best possible outcome and advocate for fairness, use PIABA as a resource to help you. There is no cost, but all the data you need to make a good decision based on your situation is just moments away. Get started now.

PIABA, the Public Investors Advocate Bar Association, is your nationwide advocate for investor rights. As leading attorneys in securities arbitration and investment fraud, we help investors recover losses from broker misconduct and fight for investor justice. Explore our Investor Resources to learn more or use our directory to Find an Attorney dedicated to protecting your financial interests. Trust PIABA to be your voice in the securities industry. Join as a member today.