Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Securities Fraud & Investment Loss Attorneys
Chicago is one of the nation's financial capitals — home to the CME Group, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and hundreds of brokerage offices. When brokers and advisors in that ecosystem harm investors, The Frankowski Firm pursues accountability through FINRA arbitration.
Serving Illinois Investors
Recovering Investment Losses for Chicago Investors
Chicago's dense concentration of financial institutions — from Northern Trust and William Blair to regional offices of every major wire house — creates significant opportunities for broker misconduct. Structured products, alternative investments, and complex derivatives are frequently recommended to retail investors who don't fully understand what they're buying.
Richard Frankowski represents Chicago-area investors in FINRA arbitration proceedings, the formal process most investors must use to pursue claims against brokers and brokerage firms. He co-authored The Practitioner's Guide to Securities Arbitration and has filed claims against some of the largest firms in the industry.
If your broker misrepresented an investment, churned your account, or placed you in a product that was clearly unsuitable for your financial situation, you may be entitled to recover your losses. Call us for a free, confidential evaluation.
Richard Frankowski is licensed in Alabama, Florida, and Texas. He represents investors from all states — including Illinois — in FINRA arbitration proceedings.
Why FINRA Arbitration?
When you opened a brokerage account you almost certainly signed a pre-dispute arbitration agreement. That means your claims against the firm must go through FINRA arbitration — not Illinois state court. FINRA arbitration is a formal legal proceeding with discovery, hearings, and binding awards. Knowing how to navigate it is everything.
Contingency Fee — No Upfront Cost
We handle all investment fraud cases on a contingency fee. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Most investors who contact us have already lost significant money — the last thing they need is a large retainer fee.
Six-Year Window — Act Now
FINRA has a six-year eligibility rule running from the date of the event giving rise to your claim. Illinois statutes of limitations may impose shorter deadlines. Do not wait to call us.
What We Handle
Securities & Investment Fraud Practice Areas
Broker Fraud & Misconduct
Unauthorized trading, churning, misrepresentation, and unsuitable recommendations by brokers at wire houses, regional firms, and independent advisors.
FINRA Arbitration
Most investor disputes go through FINRA arbitration. Richard Frankowski co-authored the leading practitioner guide on the process and has handled hundreds of FINRA cases.
Investment Fraud
Fraudulent investment schemes, promissory note fraud, unregistered securities, and deliberate misrepresentation of investment products.
Ponzi Schemes
Recovery for victims of Ponzi and pyramid schemes. We identify every avenue of recovery, including claims against feeder funds and selling brokers.
Elder Financial Fraud
Seniors are disproportionately targeted by unscrupulous brokers and financial advisors. We aggressively pursue recovery for elderly investors and their families.
SEC Whistleblower Claims
If you have inside information about securities fraud, you may be entitled to a significant award. We guide whistleblowers through the SEC submission process.
Common Questions
Chicago Investment Fraud — Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Chicago investor file a FINRA arbitration claim against a large firm like Baird or BMO?
Yes. FINRA arbitration applies to disputes with any FINRA-member firm, including Robert W. Baird, BMO Harris Financial Advisors, Nuveen, Northern Trust Securities, and every major wire house with Chicago offices. Richard Frankowski has filed claims against some of the largest brokerage firms in the country.
My financial advisor at a Chicago firm put me in structured products I didn't understand and lost significant value. Do I have a claim?
Structured products — including structured notes, principal-protected notes, and leveraged ETFs — are among the most commonly misrepresented investment products. If your advisor failed to adequately explain the risks, or if the product was unsuitable for your investment profile, you may have a strong FINRA arbitration claim.
Does Illinois law give me any additional rights as an investor?
Illinois has its own securities laws — the Illinois Securities Law of 1953 — which can provide additional remedies in some cases alongside federal securities laws and FINRA rules. Richard Frankowski evaluates all potential avenues of recovery for each client.
How does FINRA arbitration work for a Chicago investor?
You file a Statement of Claim with FINRA. The respondent broker-dealer has 45 days to answer. Parties then select arbitrators, engage in discovery, and proceed to a hearing. Hearings can be conducted in Chicago or remotely. Awards are typically issued within 30 days of the final hearing.
What does it cost to hire The Frankowski Firm?
Nothing upfront. We handle all investment fraud and securities arbitration cases on a contingency fee — no attorney fees unless we recover money for you. Your consultation is always free.
Free Consultation
Did a Chicago Broker Cost You Money?
No fees until we win. Call today for a free, confidential evaluation of your investment fraud claim.
888-741-7503