Investors might have sustained losses through securities broker James Richard Sophia Jr. [CRD: 3222645, Shaker Heights, Ohio], based on disclosures on FINRA BrokerCheck. Evidently, Sophia worked for Vanderbilt Securities LLC from January 10, 2025, to March 19, 2025, and for Morgan Stanley from January 18, 2019, to January 28, 2025. Keep reading to find out more about Sophia’s disclosures and the circumstances surrounding his client disputes.
Evidently, on May 17, 2024, a Morgan Stanley Smith Barney client filed FINRA Arbitration No. 24-01097 about James Sophia. Evidently, the client claimed that Sophia executed an unsuitable trading strategy between 2019 and 2024. Because of this, the investor allegedly sustained damages amounting to $50,000.00. As a result, the client requested compensation from Morgan Stanley or Sophia. It appears that this arbitration is pending a resolution.
Specifically, a client of Merrill Lynch disputed James Sophia’s sales practices by bringing FINRA Arbitration No. 20-04007. Allegedly, Sophia made misrepresentations and unsuitable investment recommendations in 2008. It appears that Sophia caused the client to sustain damages linked to variable annuities. Therefore, Merrill Lynch opted to settle the matter on January 26, 2022, by paying compensation totaling $35,000.00.
Particularly, a client filed a complaint about James Sophia. Primarily, the client alleged that Sophia failed to follow instructions. Because of this, the client allegedly incurred damages connected to stocks. For this reason, on September 28, 2011, Merrill Lynch settled this matter by paying the client $8,484.90 in damages.
Additionally, a client of Merrill Lynch contested James Sophia’s sales practices, according to a complaint dated October 15, 2008. Allegedly, Sophia engaged in unauthorized trading relating to variable annuities. As a result, the client sought compensatory damages from Merrill Lynch or Sophia in this matter. This case was denied.
Do you need clarification on any investment losses relating to James Sophia? You should reach out to Soreide Law Group online or at (888) 760-6552 and talk with a securities attorney about a possible recovery. For years, Soreide Law Group has recovered losses for clients located throughout the country. Also, the firm works on a contingency fee basis and advances all costs. Sophia and brokerage firms Sophia worked for deny accusations made against them.
Soreide Law Group has filed a FINRA arbitration on behalf of our clients (Claimants) against: CONCORDE INVESTMENTS SERVICES, LLC, and BERTHEL, FISHER & COMPANY FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC (Respondents). The Claimants are in their late 70s, retired, and according to the lawsuit, were not looking to take any unnecessary risks with their retirement savings. The Claimants […]
THEODORE WILLIAM BYRER (THEODORE W BYRER, TED BYRER) was registered as a broker with MORGAN STANLEY of Indianapolis, Indiana, from 11/11/2013 - 04/20/2023. He was most recently registered with INTERNATIONAL ASSETS ADVISORY, INC of Westfield, Indiana, from 05/09/2023 - 09/17/2024. According to his BrokerCheck CRD report, dated 7/23/2026, THEODORE W BYRER was suspended for 14 […]
MARK LAWRENCE SULLIVAN (MARK SULLIVAN, MARK L SULLIVAN), formerly with UBS Wealth Management USA in New York City, was fined $10,000 and suspended for three months by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) over allegations that he traded in customers’ accounts without the proper approval. Sullivan was previously registered both as a broker and as an […]
Phone:
Fax: 1-954-760-6553
Email: info@securitieslawyer.com