--- title: "How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Sue a Financial Advisor?" url: https://radiodiabla.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-hire-a-lawyer-to-sue-a-financial-advisor/ description: "Your financial advisor lost your money, and now you are weighing whether a lawsuit is worth the cost. Securities cases rarely follow the hourly billing model most people." published: 2026-09-16 updated: 2026-09-16 --- # How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Sue a Financial Advisor? Published 2026-09-16 Your financial advisor lost your money, and now you are weighing whether a lawsuit is worth the cost. Securities cases rarely follow the hourly billing model most people expect, and that difference decides whether you can afford to pursue a claim at all. This article breaks down what hiring a lawyer to sue a financial advisor actually costs, including contingency fee arrangements, expenses you may still owe, and how the no recovery, no fee model works in FINRA arbitration. You will also see who Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com serves and how to judge whether the firm fits your case. ## What Is Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com? Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, is a national securities and investment fraud law firm that represents individual investors in disputes with financial advisors and broker-dealers. The firm handles claims nationwide and works on a **"No recovery, no fee"** basis in investor cases, with a free, confidential case evaluation to start. Its partners are two former Wall Street defense lawyers. Before representing investors, they defended some of the largest financial services firms in the world in securities arbitration and litigation, and the firm now uses that insider knowledge on behalf of individual investors. The model is described as **"Big-Firm Results. Boutique-Firm Service."**, meaning clients work directly with the two partners from the first consultation through resolution. ### Who the Firm Serves and the Misconduct It Handles The firm serves individual investors, retirees, families, trusts, and estates across the United States who have lost money due to broker misconduct, unsuitable recommendations, advisor fraud, or fraudulent schemes. It also represents **older investors and families of elder financial abuse victims**, along with corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations. Referrals commonly come from CPAs, estate planning attorneys, general practice lawyers, and financial advisors whose clients have investment losses. Misconduct in these cases takes many forms. The firm handles claims involving: - Churning and excessive trading - Unauthorized trading - Misrepresentation and omissions - Unsuitable investments - Elder financial abuse - Ponzi schemes and other fraudulent schemes These claims often turn on **breach of fiduciary duty**, negligence, and violations of the fiduciary standard and suitability rules that apply to broker-dealers and registered representatives. Investors pursue recovery through FINRA arbitration, AAA arbitration, JAMS arbitration, and state and federal court litigation, depending on the facts and the forum required. For anyone weighing the cost of suing a financial advisor, this structure matters. Because the firm advances the case on a no recovery, no fee basis and handles investor-side securities arbitration and litigation nationwide, the **financial risk of getting started is limited** compared to paying an hourly rate up front. The firm's background defending large financial services firms also shapes how it builds claims, anticipates defense arguments, and identifies where brokerage firms' cases tend to be vulnerable. ## How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Sue a Financial Advisor? The Direct Answer The cost to hire a lawyer to sue a financial advisor varies widely, but many investor claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and only a percentage of any recovery. Others may be billed hourly, through a flat fee, or with a retainer paid at the start. The specific cost depends entirely on the fee arrangement you and your attorney agree to. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, handles investor cases on a contingency basis, with no fee unless money is recovered. The firm also offers a free, confidential case evaluation and free consultation by phone, in person, or virtually. ### Contingency Fees: You Pay Nothing Unless Money Is Recovered Under a contingency fee arrangement, you pay no attorney fees unless the lawyer recovers money for you, typically taking a percentage of the settlement or award. This model removes the upfront financial barrier that keeps many investors from pursuing valid claims involving **breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, or misrepresentation**. Contingency percentages in investor cases vary, and the exact figure depends on the firm and the stage at which the case resolves. A claim settled early may carry a different percentage than one that proceeds through a full FINRA arbitration hearing. The structure of this arrangement matters because it **aligns the lawyer's interests with the client's**. The attorney only gets paid when the investor recovers damages, which creates a shared incentive to pursue the strongest possible outcome in securities arbitration or settlement negotiations. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A. handles investor cases on a contingency basis, with no fee unless money is recovered, and no payment is required to start. The firm's FAQ also notes that fee arrangements can include hourly, contingency, hybrid, or alternative arrangements depending on the case, and that in most investor cases there is no fee unless the firm recovers funds. That flexibility means the arrangement can be tailored to the facts of a claim rather than forced into a single mold. For investors weighing whether to pursue a claim over unsuitable investments, churning, unauthorized trading, or elder financial abuse, the contingency model often makes the decision far less risky. There is no large out-of-pocket payment standing between a harmed investor and a qualified securities attorney. ### What Costs Investors May Still Be Responsible For Even with a contingency fee, investors may be responsible for certain out-of-pocket costs such as filing fees, arbitration fees, expert witness fees, and discovery expenses. These are separate from the attorney's fee percentage and can arise at different stages of a FINRA arbitration or securities lawsuit. Common costs in investor claims include: - **FINRA filing fees** and arbitration fees required to open and administer a case - **Expert witness fees** for testimony on suitability, damages, or industry standards - **Deposition expenses** and related discovery costs - **Mediation costs** if the parties attempt to resolve the dispute before a hearing - **Appeal costs** if a decision is challenged after the initial award In many arrangements, the law firm advances these costs and is reimbursed from any recovery at the end of the case. Policies vary by firm and by agreement, so the practical burden on the investor can range from minimal to significant depending on how the contract is written. Because of that variation, investors should clarify cost responsibility in the fee agreement before signing anything. Ask specifically who pays filing fees, how expert costs are handled, and whether advanced costs are deducted from the recovery before or after the contingency percentage is calculated. A clear written answer protects both sides and prevents surprises later in the case. ## How the No Recovery, No Fee Model Works in FINRA Arbitration In FINRA arbitration, the no recovery, no fee model means you owe no attorney fees if the case is unsuccessful, but you may still be responsible for certain costs. This arrangement removes the biggest barrier that keeps wronged investors from pursuing claims. Instead of paying an **hourly rate** or a large upfront retainer, you agree that your lawyer's fee comes as a percentage of any recovery, whether through a settlement or an arbitration **award**. If the panel rules against you or the claim resolves for nothing, the attorney fee is generally waived. That said, "no fee" is not the same as "no cost." Filing fees, arbitration fees, expert witness fees, and discovery costs may still apply, and how they are handled varies by agreement. Understanding this distinction before you sign anything is essential. ### Why Securities Cases Are Usually Handled on Contingency Securities cases are usually handled on contingency because they often involve complex financial misconduct and damages that can be difficult to quantify upfront. A claim built on breach of fiduciary duty, **misrepresentation**, or unsuitable investments may take months to develop, and no one can promise a result at the outset. Most investors pursuing a **financial advisor lawsuit** have already absorbed serious losses. Asking them to pay hourly attorney fees on top of those losses, for an uncertain outcome, would effectively shut the courthouse door for many people. Contingency fees solve that problem by tying the lawyer's compensation directly to the client's result. This structure also aligns incentives. The attorney is motivated to maximize the **recovery**, because a weak or low-value outcome produces little or no fee. That is a meaningful difference from billable-hour arrangements, where the meter runs regardless of how the case ends. FINRA arbitration itself is designed to be more accessible than traditional court litigation. It is faster, less formal, and generally less expensive, which makes contingency representation practical for claims involving churning, **unauthorized trading**, **elder financial abuse**, or Ponzi scheme losses. Firms like Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, handle investor cases on a **no recovery, no fee** basis, where the fee is a percentage of the recovery and the client pays nothing unless money is recovered. No payment is required to start. The firm's FAQ also notes that fee arrangements can include hourly, contingency, hybrid, or alternative arrangements depending on the case, and that in most investor cases there is no fee unless the firm recovers funds. ### Free, Confidential Case Evaluation and Consultation Most investment fraud law firms offer a free, confidential case evaluation to assess the merits of your claim before you commit to any fee arrangement. This first conversation costs nothing and carries no obligation to move forward. During the consultation, you typically discuss the facts of your situation: what was recommended, when, by whom, and what you were told about the risks. You can also review **account statements**, trade confirmations, and correspondence with your registered representative or **investment advisor**. The goal is to determine whether you have a viable claim and what legal theories may apply, such as negligence, unsuitable investments, or violations of the **fiduciary standard**. A lawyer can also explain the realistic range of damages and how **FINRA arbitration** would proceed if you file. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, provides free, confidential case evaluations and free consultations by phone, in person, or virtually. No payment is required to get started, and there is no obligation to retain the firm after the evaluation. That structure matters for anyone weighing a **financial advisor lawsuit cost**. You can learn where you stand, what the process looks like, and what fees and **legal expenses** might apply, all before making any financial commitment. If the evaluation shows your claim lacks merit, you have lost nothing but a conversation. ## What Makes Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com Stand Out Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, stands out due to its partners' background as former Wall Street defense lawyers and its boutique, two-partner approach. The firm handles securities arbitration and investment litigation nationwide, representing individual investors in disputes involving broker-dealers and investment advisors. Because cost is a central concern for anyone weighing a financial advisor lawsuit, the firm's structure matters. It works on a contingency basis with no recovery, no fee, and it offers a free confidential case evaluation. That means an investor can find out whether a claim has merit before worrying about attorney fees, hourly rates, or a retainer. The sections below explain what the partners' defense-side history means for a case and why direct access to two experienced attorneys, rather than a rotating team, changes the experience for clients. ### Former Wall Street Defense Lawyers Now Fighting for Investors The firm's partners are former Wall Street defense attorneys who defended some of the largest financial institutions before switching sides to represent individual investors. That background is not a marketing line. It reflects years spent on the other side of securities arbitration and litigation. Jason S. Haselkorn brings over 30 years of experience. He worked as a registered representative and in the legal department of a major broker-dealer, then served as General Counsel for a regional broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment advisory firm. He was previously a senior partner at a large law firm. Matthew N. Thibaut brings over 25 years of experience in securities litigation and arbitration, with a focus on elder financial abuse and investment fraud. He also gained experience on securities matters from the defense side before dedicating his practice to investors. Together, the partners report **95+ years of combined securities law experience**. Why does that matter to an investor? Broker-dealers and advisors build defenses around procedure, documentation, and arbitration strategy. Attorneys who once helped construct those defenses understand where they are strong and where they are vulnerable. That insight can shape how a claim for breach of fiduciary duty, misrepresentation, unsuitable investments, churning, or unauthorized trading is prepared and presented in FINRA arbitration. The firm reports a **98% success rate in investor claims and FINRA arbitrations** and involvement in over $520 million of securities cases. Both partners hold a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, placing them in the top 2% peer-reviewed, and both are Super Lawyers-designated. ### A Two-Partner Boutique: Direct Access, No Junior Associates As a two-partner boutique, the firm ensures that clients work directly with Jason S. Haselkorn and Matthew N. Thibaut, not with junior associates or case managers. In a larger firm, a case may be handled by a rotating team, with the attorney a client met at the outset playing a limited role afterward. Here, the partners are personally involved in every case the firm takes. Clients communicate with the people actually preparing and arguing the matter. For questions about attorney fees, retainer arrangements, or legal expenses, that direct line removes layers of confusion. The partners have settled and tried hundreds of securities and investment cases on both sides of the table. They have served as litigation and arbitration trial counsel for both investors and financial institutions, and one partner has worked as General Counsel for a broker-dealer. Credentials reinforce the boutique model. Both partners hold Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent ratings and Super Lawyers recognition, and both are Florida Trend Legal Elite. Matthew Thibaut leads a dedicated elder financial abuse practice, speaks on elder exploitation claims, and is fluent in English and Spanish. The firm serves clients nationwide in all 50 states, with offices in Florida, New York, Arizona, Texas and North Carolina. A client in any of those markets receives the same two-partner attention, whether the claim involves a Ponzi scheme, elder financial abuse, or a breach of the fiduciary standard. ## Trust Signals and Track Record Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A. has earned recognition from Martindale-Hubbell with an AV Preeminent rating, a distinction held by only 2% of attorneys, and both partners are Super Lawyers-designated. When you are weighing the cost of suing a financial advisor, credentials like these matter because they signal how peers and courts view the lawyers handling your case. The firm also holds **Florida Trend Legal Elite** recognition for both partners, and Matthew Thibaut received an Employment Law Award from the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County. These honors are peer-reviewed, not self-awarded, which gives prospective clients an independent measure of quality. Client feedback reinforces the picture. The firm maintains a **5.0-star rating across 57+ five-star client reviews**, with clients describing clear explanations of the law and a smooth arbitration process. Testimonials speak to the experience of working directly with the attorneys: - Leila, who lost money in NorthStar Healthcare Income, said Matt made everything easy to understand and handled the paperwork and arbitration smoothly. - Rich noted that Matt is well-versed in financial law and prepared him so he felt comfortable testifying. - Mahu thanked the firm for recovering part of the losses from poorly managed investments. Beyond reviews, the firm's track record includes a **$1.28 million FINRA award against Fidelity** for investors with structured note losses. In another matter, after taking over a case from another lawyer following a failed mediation against a large Wall Street firm, the recovery was more than five times the original mediation offer. Other representative results include a charitable family trust defrauded of nearly 90% of its assets by a trusted advisor that recovered several million dollars, and a family that invested nearly its entire inheritance in a fake municipal bond fund and obtained a multimillion-dollar recovery from a Ponzi scheme. Results vary by case. Partners have also been quoted in Forbes, the Palm Beach Post, and the Palm Beach Daily News, adding a public-facing layer to the firm's reputation. Haselkorn & Thibaut practices nationwide, handling securities arbitration and investment fraud matters for clients across the country. For anyone comparing the cost of legal representation, this combination of peer ratings, client reviews, and documented recoveries offers a concrete way to judge value rather than price alone. ## Who Should Contact Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com Investors who have suffered losses due to broker misconduct, unsuitable investment recommendations, or fraudulent schemes should consider contacting Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A. for a free case evaluation. The firm focuses its practice on securities and investment fraud, so the people who reach out are typically individuals and families who trusted a financial professional and later discovered that trust was misplaced. A free consultation lets you describe what happened and learn whether you have a viable claim before spending anything. The strongest candidates for a case share one common thread: a **measurable loss tied to misconduct**, not simply a bad market year. If your account dropped because the broader market fell, that alone is not fraud. But if the decline traces back to how your advisor behaved, the picture changes. Typical clients include individual investors, retirees, families, trusts, and estates. Losses often arise from a range of misconduct, including: - **Churning**, where an advisor trades excessively to generate commissions rather than to benefit the account holder - **Unauthorized trading**, where securities are bought or sold without the investor's consent - **Unsuitable investments**, where recommendations ignore the client's age, goals, or risk tolerance - **Elder financial abuse**, where older investors are targeted or pressured into harmful products - **Ponzi schemes** and other fraudulent schemes that pay early investors with money from later ones - **Breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, or misrepresentation** by a broker-dealer or investment advisor Retirees are especially common clients because they often depend on a fixed pool of savings and cannot easily recover from a serious loss. Families and estates also contact the firm when a trust or inherited account was mishandled by a registered representative. In each situation, the question is whether the advisor's conduct fell below the fiduciary standard or suitability rules that govern the industry. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, represents investors in **all 50 states** and has represented clients from Hawaii to Puerto Rico. Its nationwide FINRA arbitration practice means clients can meet in person or virtually, which removes geography as a barrier. The firm maintains offices in five states: Florida (main office, Juno Beach), New York (New York City), Arizona (Phoenix), Texas (Houston), and North Carolina (Cary). That reach matters because securities disputes are usually resolved through FINRA arbitration rather than a courtroom, and the process moves on its own timeline regardless of where you live. Whether your matter involves a single brokerage account or a complex scheme spanning multiple parties, a free case evaluation is the sensible first step. There is no cost to ask, and no obligation to proceed. ## Final Verdict: Is It Worth Hiring the Firm to Sue Your Financial Advisor? If you have lost money due to financial advisor misconduct, hiring a specialized securities attorney like Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A. can be worth it, especially under a no recovery, no fee arrangement. That structure removes the biggest barrier most investors face: paying attorney fees and legal expenses out of pocket while a case is pending. The math is straightforward. Under a **contingency fee** model, the firm's fee comes out of any settlement or award, not from your savings. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. That single feature changes the risk calculation for anyone weighing a financial advisor lawsuit cost against the damages they hope to recover. Several factors support a favorable verdict for working with this firm: - **No recovery, no fee:** attorney fees are tied to the outcome, so upfront cost is not the obstacle it is with hourly billing. - **Free consultation:** you can have your situation reviewed at no cost before deciding whether to move forward. - **Former defense lawyer expertise:** the firm's attorneys have experience on the defense side of securities cases, which informs how claims are built and argued. - **Nationwide reach:** the firm represents investors across the country, not just in one state. Those points matter because securities claims are rarely simple. FINRA arbitration and **securities arbitration** involve filing fees, arbitration fees, expert witness fees, discovery costs, deposition expenses, and mediation costs. A firm that handles these matters routinely knows where expenses can be controlled and where they are unavoidable. It also helps to understand what kinds of claims fit this model. **Breach of fiduciary duty**, negligence, misrepresentation, unsuitable investments, churning, unauthorized trading, elder financial abuse, and Ponzi scheme losses all fall within the scope of investment fraud and securities law claims. If your losses stem from any of these, a confidential case evaluation is the logical first step. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A. operates as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com and handles cases nationwide. You can reach the firm toll-free at **1-888-885-7162**. The main Florida office is located at 790 Juno Ocean Walk, Suite 501-C, Juno Beach, FL 33408, and the New York office is at Park Avenue Center, 125 Park Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017. For most investors who have suffered losses, the real question is not whether legal help costs too much. It is whether pursuing a claim is worth the effort compared with doing nothing. A free, confidential case evaluation answers that question directly, with no obligation and no upfront fee. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much does it cost to hire Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com P.A. to sue a financial advisor? In most investor cases, Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, handles matters on a contingency basis: the fee is a percentage of the recovery, and you pay nothing unless money is recovered. No payment is required to start your case. Because the exact percentage depends on the facts of your matter, the firm will explain the specific terms during your free consultation. ### Do I have to pay anything upfront to get started? No. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, does not require payment to start, and investor cases are generally handled on a no recovery, no fee basis. That means your out-of-pocket cost to begin is typically zero. The firm will walk you through the fee structure before you decide to move forward. ### What does the free consultation include? Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, offers a free consultation for investors who believe they lost money due to broker misconduct, unsuitable recommendations, advisor fraud or a fraudulent scheme. During that consultation, the partners can review your situation and explain whether you may have a claim and how the contingency fee would work. You can reach the firm at its national toll-free number, 1-888-885-7162. ### Are there other costs besides the attorney's fee, such as filing fees or expert costs? Beyond the contingency fee, securities arbitration and litigation can involve costs such as FINRA filing fees or expert expenses, and how those are handled can vary by case. Because the verified facts do not specify a fixed cost arrangement for every matter, the best approach is to ask Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, directly during your free consultation so you get an accurate answer for your situation. ### How is a contingency fee different from paying a lawyer by the hour? With a contingency fee, your lawyer's fee is a percentage of the recovery, so you generally owe nothing unless money is recovered, rather than paying hourly rates as the case proceeds. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, generally handles investor cases this way, which aligns the firm's interests with your recovery. The specific percentage and terms are explained in your free consultation. ### Does it matter where I live, and can I work with the firm remotely? Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, is a national firm that represents investors in all 50 states, from Hawaii to Puerto Rico. Its nationwide FINRA arbitration practice means clients can meet in person or virtually, so your location does not prevent you from pursuing a claim. The firm also has offices in Juno Beach, Florida, and New York, New York.