Securities Fraud Defense Lawyers in Los Angeles

Are You in Need of a Securities Fraud Defense Attorney in Los Angeles?

Securities fraud investigations are high-stakes matters that can end careers and cost you your freedom. If you are under investigation, or if you have been charged with securities fraud, the time to act is now.

These cases often involve federal agencies like the SEC, FBI, or U.S. Attorney's Office, and the consequences can be devastating. At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, we represent traders, brokers, executives, hedge fund managers, analysts, and others facing securities fraud allegations.

Why Choose Us Over Other Los Angeles Securities Fraud Defense Lawyers

Our firm has successfully defended clients in some of the most serious and high-profile financial crime cases in the country. Here’s why so many people have come to trust our firm:

• Founded in 1994 with a legacy of high-impact criminal defense, our firm has handled complex financial crime cases at both the state and federal levels.
• Mark J. Werksman, a former Deputy District Attorney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney, brings nearly 40 years of insight into the tactics used by government prosecutors.
• Alan Jackson, former Assistant Head Deputy in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Major Crimes Division, has tried some of California's most closely watched cases.
• Kelly Quinn is a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law who brings precision, strategy, and a track record of results to high-stakes financial crime defense.
• Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest distinction in ethics and legal skill.
• Recognized by Super Lawyers based on peer reviews and independent research
• We have successfully persuaded federal prosecutors to drop investigations, preventing indictments before they ever happen.

When Your Career Is on the Line

Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP to learn more today: (213) 688-0460.

Reasons to Contact a Lawyer Right Away

Timing is critical in securities fraud cases. The earlier we can intervene, the better your chances of avoiding charges altogether. Here’s why you should contact a Los Angeles white-collar crime lawyer as soon as you suspect you are under investigation:

• Federal agencies move fast and often build their case before you even know you're being investigated.
• You could be unknowingly incriminating yourself by speaking to regulators or investigators without counsel.
• Early legal intervention can limit your exposure and sometimes result in charges never being filed.
• Your professional licenses and reputation may be at immediate risk.
• A strong response now can prevent severe consequences later.

What Are Securities?

Securities are financial instruments that represent ownership or creditor relationships with a company or government. Common examples include:

• Stocks
• Bonds
• Mutual funds
• Investment contracts
• Options and futures

The sale and trade of these financial products are regulated by federal laws, including the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Violations of these laws can result in civil penalties, criminal charges, or both.

What Is Securities Fraud?

Securities fraud occurs when someone deceives investors or manipulates financial markets in connection with the sale or purchase of securities. The government takes these charges seriously and aggressively prosecutes individuals and entities they believe have violated securities laws.

Insider Trading

Insider trading involves buying or selling securities based on non-public, material information about a company. While not all insider trading is illegal, trading based on confidential information that provides an unfair market advantage is strictly prohibited. Both tipper (who provides the information) and tippee (who uses it) may face prosecution.

Selling Unqualified Securities

Selling unqualified or unregistered securities without proper disclosures or compliance with regulatory requirements can result in charges under both state and federal law. These cases often arise in connection with startup fundraising, cryptocurrency offerings, or private placements that fall outside the scope of exemption rules.

Misleading Activities in the Sale or Purchase of Securities

Activities such as pump-and-dump schemes, false advertising of investment returns, or making exaggerated claims about a company’s performance can fall under the category of misleading activities. If the information influences an investor’s decision and is later found to be false, the seller may face criminal liability.

False Information in the Sale or Purchase of Securities

Providing false statements, failing to disclose risks, or hiding financial liabilities during the sale or offering of securities can be prosecuted as fraud. This can include falsified financial reports, misrepresented earnings, or incorrect asset valuations.

Advance Fee Schemes

These schemes involve promising investors a return or service after an upfront payment, which is never delivered. Often seen in telemarketing and online scams, advance fee fraud is aggressively investigated by federal agencies and may be charged alongside wire or mail fraud.

Noncompliance with Regulations or Agreements

Failure to comply with securities registration rules, broker-dealer licensing requirements, or investor agreements can lead to fraud investigations. In some cases, these violations are civil. However, when combined with intent to deceive, they may lead to criminal charges.

What Are the Penalties for Securities Fraud?

Penalties for securities fraud vary depending on the nature and scale of the offense, but often include:

• Federal prison time: Convictions can carry up to 20 years per count under certain statutes.
• Fines: Individual fines can reach millions of dollars.
• Restitution: Courts may order restitution to victims, including institutional investors.
• Probation or supervised release
• Loss of professional licenses
• Asset seizure and forfeiture

The government may also pursue charges for related offenses such as wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy, or money laundering.

Additional Consequences of a Conviction

Beyond prison and fines, a conviction can destroy your future:

• Permanent loss of FINRA or SEC licensure
• Ban from serving as an officer or director of a public company
• Reputational ruin in your industry and community
• Civil lawsuits from investors or shareholders
• Ineligibility for certain professional roles or clearances

In short, the damage can follow you long after your sentence ends.

Effective Legal Defense Strategies

A skilled attorney will tailor your defense to the unique facts of your case.

Lack of Intent

Securities fraud charges often require proof of willful or knowing misconduct. If the actions were accidental or lacked intent to deceive, that may serve as a powerful defense.

Good Faith Reliance

If you relied on the advice of legal counsel, financial advisors, or regulatory experts in good faith, this can undermine the government’s claim of intentional wrongdoing.

Insufficient Evidence

The burden of proof lies with the prosecution. If they cannot clearly demonstrate that you knowingly engaged in fraud, the charges may not hold up in court.

Constitutional Violations by Law Enforcement Officials

Improperly obtained evidence, such as warrantless searches or coerced statements, can be suppressed. A constitutional violation may result in dismissal of some or all charges.

Statute of Limitations

Federal securities fraud cases are subject to strict filing deadlines. If too much time has passed since the alleged conduct, the case may be time-barred.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Securities fraud cases are legally dense and procedurally complex. The right lawyer will:

• Engage with federal investigators and prosecutors early to shape the outcome before charges are filed.
• Challenge improperly obtained evidence and advocate for dismissal of unjust charges.
• Coordinate with forensic accountants and financial experts to analyze investment data and expose weaknesses in the government's case.
• Prepare your case for trial, not just settlement, to ensure leverage at every stage.
• Manage reputational fallout, helping clients maintain as much professional standing and privacy as possible.

At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, we have helped clients walk away from securities fraud investigations with no charges filed. We have also gone to trial when needed and won. Our attorneys are not afraid to challenge the government’s case at every turn.

Speak With an Experienced Los Angeles Securities Fraud Defense Lawyer Today

If you are under investigation or facing charges for securities fraud in Los Angeles, do not wait. The sooner you involve our team, the more options you may have.

Call Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP today at (213) 688-0460 or visit werksmanjackson.com to schedule a confidential consultation. Your future may depend on it.

Case Result

Federal Securities Fraud Investigation Closed With No Charges Filed

Mark Werksman represented a Los Angeles securities trader and hedge fund manager facing a federal investigation for alleged securities fraud. An indictment would have triggered the immediate loss of his licenses and threatened up to five years in federal prison.

By intervening early, presenting compelling mitigating evidence, and engaging directly with federal prosecutors, Werksman persuaded the U.S. Attorney’s Office to decline prosecution entirely. No indictment. No public charges.

This outcome not only protected the client’s liberty, but also preserved his career and reputation in the financial sector, showcasing the firm’s ability to quietly resolve serious allegations before they become a public issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I’m under investigation for securities fraud?

Do not speak to investigators or regulators without legal representation. Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP immediately at (213) 688-0460 so our attorneys can intervene early and protect your rights.

What qualifies as securities fraud?

Securities fraud includes deceptive practices in the sale or purchase of stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments, such as insider trading, misstatements of material facts, market manipulation, or selling unregistered securities.

Can I be charged with securities fraud even if I didn’t know I was doing anything wrong?

Yes, but intent matters. Prosecutors must prove that you knowingly and willfully participated in fraud. If you acted without intent to deceive, we may be able to challenge the case on that basis.

How is insider trading prosecuted?

Insider trading cases rely on proving that you used non-public, material information to trade securities. Both the person who leaks the information and the one who trades on it may face charges.

Who investigates securities fraud?

Securities fraud may be investigated by the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, or state regulatory bodies. These agencies often work together in high-stakes cases.

What are the penalties for securities fraud?

Penalties may include federal prison time (up to 20 years per count), heavy fines, restitution orders, asset forfeiture, and permanent loss of professional licenses. Early legal defense is critical to mitigating these outcomes.

Can I avoid charges if I act quickly?

In many cases, yes. If our firm is brought in during the investigative phase, we may be able to present mitigating evidence or legal arguments that lead prosecutors to decline filing charges.

What are some legal defenses to securities fraud?

Common defenses include lack of intent, good faith reliance on professional advice, insufficient evidence, constitutional violations, and expired statutes of limitation. We tailor your defense to the facts of your case.

Meet Our Attorneys

Mark J. Werksman

Mark J. Werksman is one of California’s most respected criminal defense attorneys, known for his strategic insight, relentless advocacy, and the ability to counter tactics used in high-stakes prosecutions. Mark brings a rare depth of knowledge from both sides of the courtroom. He began his career as a Deputy District Attorney and later served as an Assistant United States Attorney, giving him firsthand understanding of how prosecutors build their cases.

Mark defends clients in complex federal and state criminal matters, including white-collar offenses, securities fraud, healthcare fraud, sex crimes, violent felonies, and high-profile media cases. His ability to negotiate with federal authorities and, when necessary, go to trial with force and clarity, has led to dismissals, hung juries, and acquittals in some of California’s most challenging criminal cases.

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with a reputation for winning some of California’s most complex and high-profile criminal cases. As the former Assistant Head Deputy in the Major Crimes Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Alan led investigations and prosecutions involving murder, fraud, political corruption, and organized crime. Today, he brings that elite courtroom experience to defending clients facing life-altering criminal charges.

Known for his powerful presence in front of a jury, Alan is a master at cross-examination, evidentiary strategy, and shaping the narrative in high-pressure trials. He represents individuals in cases ranging from violent felonies and federal indictments to white-collar crimes and media-sensitive matters.

Kelly Quinn

Kelly Quinn is a seasoned appellate and criminal defense attorney who brings a sharp, analytical mindset to some of the most complex and high-risk legal challenges in California. As a Certified Specialist in Appellate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Kelly is widely respected for her ability to craft compelling legal arguments and spot constitutional violations that others miss.

Kelly represents clients at both the trial and appellate levels, often stepping into high-stakes cases where the outcome depends on strategic precision and in-depth knowledge of the law. Her work includes challenging wrongful convictions, overturning unjust rulings, and safeguarding clients’ rights in both state and federal courts. Known for her meticulous preparation, persuasive writing, and courtroom clarity, Kelly plays a critical role in the firm’s white-collar, federal, and post-conviction practice.

Additional Information

• SEC Investigations 101