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Securities and regulatory compliance attorney

Securities Compliance Challenges?
We Navigate the Regulatory Maze.

SEC, FINRA, and state securities regulators demand rigorous compliance. Our attorneys help firms, advisers, and issuers meet their obligations and defend against enforcement actions.

Serving New York, New Jersey, Connecticut & Federal Matters Nationwide

24+

Years Experience

Multi-State

Jurisdiction

100%

Confidential

B2B

Business-Focused

Securities Compliance Services

How We Protect Your Firm

SEC Compliance Programs

Design, implement, and maintain compliance programs that satisfy SEC examination priorities and enforcement expectations.

FINRA Regulatory Defense

Defend against FINRA investigations, enforcement actions, arbitration claims, and licensing proceedings.

Broker-Dealer Registration

Navigate SEC and state registration requirements, membership applications, and ongoing reporting obligations for broker-dealers.

Investment Adviser Compliance

Build and audit compliance programs for RIAs, including Form ADV filings, custody rules, and fiduciary obligations.

Regulation D Offerings

Structure private placements under Rules 504, 506(b), and 506(c) with compliant offering documents and blue-sky filings.

Securities Litigation Defense

Defend firms, officers, and directors against SEC civil actions, shareholder suits, and class-action securities fraud claims.

Insider Trading Compliance

Develop trading policies, restricted-person lists, pre-clearance procedures, and 10b5-1 plan frameworks.

Form ADV & Disclosure Review

Prepare and review Form ADV Parts 1, 2A, 2B, and Form CRS to ensure accurate and compliant disclosures.

The Stakes Are Real

Why Securities Compliance Matters

SEC and FINRA enforcement has intensified. The cost of non-compliance now far exceeds the cost of getting it right.

760+

Enforcement Actions

SEC enforcement actions filed annually, resulting in billions in penalties and disgorgement orders.

$4.6B

Penalties Imposed

Record SEC monetary remedies in a single fiscal year, including civil penalties and disgorgement.

1,400+

FINRA Actions

FINRA disciplinary actions each year, including fines, suspensions, and permanent industry bars.

Figures reflect recent SEC and FINRA annual enforcement reports.

Getting Started

Three Steps to Regulatory Confidence

1

Call or Click

Reach us at (516) 750-0595 or submit an inquiry through our secure contact form. All communications are confidential.

2

Free Securities Compliance Review

We assess your firm's regulatory exposure, identify compliance gaps, and outline a clear strategy -- no obligation, no jargon.

3

We Protect Your Firm

From compliance program design to enforcement defense, we handle the regulatory burden so your team can focus on business.

Why Tenenbaum Law

Securities Counsel That Understands Your Business

Regulatory compliance is not a checkbox exercise. It requires counsel who understands both the letter of SEC and FINRA rules and the practical realities of running a financial services firm. With 24 years of practice, we bring that dual perspective to every engagement.

Multi-Jurisdictional Reach

Licensed in New York with experience handling federal SEC matters, FINRA proceedings, and multi-state securities compliance across the tri-state area.

Securities Industry Knowledge

Deep familiarity with broker-dealer operations, investment adviser workflows, and the compliance infrastructure regulators expect to see.

Enforcement Defense Experience

When regulators come knocking, you need counsel who has been through the process. We defend firms against SEC investigations, FINRA disciplinary proceedings, and state enforcement actions.

Strict Confidentiality

Regulatory matters demand discretion. Every consultation and engagement is protected by attorney-client privilege.

"Jason's team helped us build a compliance program that passed our first SEC examination with zero deficiency findings. Their understanding of how broker-dealers actually operate made all the difference."
M

Managing Director

Tri-State Broker-Dealer

Legal Landscape

Securities Regulatory Framework We Navigate

The securities regulatory environment spans federal statutes, SRO rules, and state enforcement powers. We advise on all of them.

Securities Act of 1933

Registration requirements for public offerings, prospectus rules, and exemptions including Regulation A/A+ mini-IPOs.

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Periodic reporting obligations, proxy rules, insider trading prohibitions under Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5.

Investment Advisers Act of 1940

Registration, fiduciary duties, advertising rules, custody requirements, and compliance program mandates for RIAs.

FINRA Rules & Arbitration

Supervisory obligations, suitability/Reg BI, communications rules, and the mandatory arbitration framework for industry disputes.

Regulation D (Private Placements)

Rules 504, 506(b), and 506(c) exemptions for private securities offerings, accredited investor verification, and Form D filings.

Regulation A/A+ (Mini-IPOs)

Tier 1 and Tier 2 offering frameworks allowing smaller issuers to raise capital from the public with scaled disclosure requirements.

NY Martin Act

New York's uniquely powerful state securities fraud statute that does not require proof of intent or reliance.

Dodd-Frank Whistleblower Provisions

SEC whistleblower bounty program, anti-retaliation protections, and implications for internal compliance programs.

Securities Compliance FAQ

Questions Firms Ask Us

What triggers an SEC investigation of a firm?
SEC investigations can be triggered by whistleblower tips, suspicious trading patterns, examination findings, customer complaints, or referrals from FINRA and other regulators. The Division of Enforcement reviews thousands of tips annually. If your firm receives a subpoena, document preservation notice, or request for information, contact a securities compliance attorney immediately to protect your rights and develop a response strategy.
How do I know if my firm needs to register as an investment adviser?
Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, any person or firm that provides investment advice about securities for compensation generally must register with the SEC or the appropriate state regulator. Exemptions exist for certain advisers with fewer than 15 clients, advisers to venture capital or private funds under $150 million AUM, and foreign private advisers. Determining whether an exemption applies requires careful legal analysis of your business model.
What is a Regulation D offering and when is it appropriate?
Regulation D provides exemptions from SEC registration for private securities offerings. Rule 506(b) allows unlimited capital raises from up to 35 non-accredited investors and unlimited accredited investors without general solicitation. Rule 506(c) permits general solicitation but restricts sales to verified accredited investors. These exemptions require strict compliance with offering limitations, Form D filings, and state blue-sky notice filings.
What penalties does the SEC impose for compliance failures?
SEC penalties range from censure and cease-and-desist orders to disgorgement of profits, civil monetary penalties up to $1,065,000 per violation for individuals and $2,130,000 for entities, industry bars, and referral for criminal prosecution. Under Dodd-Frank, the SEC can also impose penalties in administrative proceedings without going to federal court.
Does our firm need a written compliance program?
Yes. SEC Rule 206(4)-7 requires every registered investment adviser to adopt and implement written compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Advisers Act. Broker-dealers face parallel requirements under FINRA Rules 3110 and 3120. Failure to maintain adequate written supervisory procedures is one of the most common deficiency findings in SEC and FINRA examinations.
What should we do if we receive a FINRA arbitration claim?
Respond promptly -- FINRA imposes strict answer deadlines, typically 45 days from service. Engage securities counsel immediately to review the statement of claim, preserve relevant documents, and develop a defense strategy. FINRA arbitration differs significantly from court litigation in its discovery rules, hearing procedures, and limited appeal rights. Early and experienced representation is critical to protecting your firm.
How does the NY Martin Act affect securities compliance?
The Martin Act gives the New York Attorney General uniquely broad authority to investigate and prosecute securities fraud without proving intent or reliance. It covers fraud in the issuance, exchange, purchase, sale, and promotion of securities within or from New York. Firms operating in New York face dual exposure to both federal SEC enforcement and state Martin Act actions, requiring compliance programs that address both frameworks.
What is a 10b5-1 trading plan and does our firm need one?
A 10b5-1 plan is a pre-arranged trading arrangement that provides an affirmative defense to insider trading liability under SEC Rule 10b-5. Recent SEC amendments require cooling-off periods, certifications, and limitations on overlapping plans. Any firm whose insiders trade in company securities should implement 10b5-1 plan policies as part of a comprehensive insider trading compliance program.
Jason Tenenbaum, Personal Injury Attorney serving Long Island, Nassau County and Suffolk County

About the Author

Jason Tenenbaum

Jason Tenenbaum is a personal injury attorney serving Long Island, Nassau & Suffolk Counties, and New York City. Admitted to practice in NY, NJ, FL, TX, GA, MI, and Federal courts, Jason is one of the few attorneys who writes his own appeals and tries his own cases. Since 2002, he has authored over 2,353 articles on no-fault insurance law, personal injury, and employment law — a resource other attorneys rely on to stay current on New York appellate decisions.

Education
Syracuse University College of Law
Experience
24+ Years
Articles
2,353+ Published
Licensed In
7 States + Federal

Protect Your Firm Before It's Too Late

SEC Investigations Don't Wait. Your Compliance Program Shouldn't Either.

Regulatory exposure compounds over time. Every day without a defensible compliance program is a day your firm operates at risk. Let us close the gaps before regulators find them.

All consultations are confidential. Available for firms in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut & federal matters nationwide.

About Our Legal Practice

The Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. has been representing injured individuals and workers throughout Long Island and New York City since 2002. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum founded the firm, which is headquartered at 326 Walt Whitman Road, Suite C, Huntington Station, New York 11746. Together, the firm's six attorneys bring over 112 combined years of legal experience to personal injury, employment discrimination, no-fault insurance, and workers' compensation cases. The team speaks English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Russian.

Attorney Tenenbaum has written more than 1,000 appellate briefs, handled over 100,000 no-fault insurance cases, and recovered over $100 million in verdicts and settlements. He is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Michigan state courts, as well as multiple federal courts. His 2,353+ published legal articles analyzing New York case law make him one of the most prolific legal commentators in the state. In fact, attorneys, judges, and insurance professionals across all four Appellate Division departments rely on his analysis.

The firm operates on a contingency fee basis for personal injury and employment discrimination cases — you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Every consultation is free and confidential. Our practice areas include car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, premises liability, medical malpractice, and product liability. We also handle dog bites, construction accidents, wrongful death, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, workplace harassment, wage and hour violations, no-fault insurance disputes, and workers' compensation claims. Call (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation.

Injured? Don't Wait.

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No fees unless we win — available 24/7 for emergencies.

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