Forman Law Firm's practice is dedicated to representing investors that have lost money in any type of investment. I also am frequently hired by financial professionals in employment disputes with their firms and/or when they are involved in enforcement and disciplinary issues with the regulators.
I formed the Forman Law Firm in 2002 after serving 12 years as Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of stockbrokerage firms in Dallas and Austin Texas beginning in 1991. Having spent the last 12 years dealing with almost every aspect of the retail brokerage business, I recognized that Main Street investors were not always being dealt with fairly or openly by Wall Street and I became somewhat disenchanted with the industry. Having served on several committees and boards at what is now known as FINRA, the regulatory authority that governs the stockbroker community, I saw first-hand how the regulatory industry and arbitration system was run, and quite frankly, I wanted out.
After selling my firm various securities attorneys frequently hired me as an expert witness for both investors and brokerage firms in various arbitration cases and state and federal court lawsuits, and I learned a great deal how securities industry arbitrations were handled across the nation from the perspective of others. Having been a mediator since the early 90s, I was also often asked to mediate cases for the parties involved in these disputes, and mediated some 200 different cases throughout the United States and helped the parties resolve virtually all of those cases. I really enjoyed serving as a mediator in these securities disputes, but I didn’t want to spend every day on an airplane just so I could mediate a securities fraud case. So, in 2004 I changed the focus of the Forman Law Firm from mediation and expert witness work to representing investors that have been victims of investment fraud or broker misconduct, and I haven’t looked back. My law practice has been very successful and rewarding and we really enjoy helping aggrieved investors.
Having grown up in East Texas and having spent a majority of my career in Austin, Texas, I take a lot of pride in helping our clients recover when they have been victims of investment fraud. Because FINRA arbitration is not governed specifically by any states' laws, we are frequently hired by clients around the country. Also, FINRA's arbitrations take place in Texas in Dallas and Houston, and with offices in Tyler and Austin (by appt) we are ideally located to represents clients from any region of Texas. Of course, repreesnting clients from many different cities, we frequently go visit the other cities we know and love in Texas. I have a terrific wife, two sons, a great hunting dog, at least three cats and we really enjoy Austin and my old stomping grounds at Lake Tyler. When not demanding recoveries from Wall Street or working for select financial professionals, I spend as much time possible fishing, hunting and traveling. I am passionate about my law pracitic, I enjoy helping my clients, and life is good.
Practice areas
A primary focus of my practice is in securities and commodities arbitration, representing investors against their stockbrokers, advisers and insurers in securities fraud and financial malpractice cases. In addition to our investor practice, we also represent brokers and advisers in employment disputes and certain disciplinary or regulatory matters.
30 years
In addition to our securities and investment fraud practice, our firm also represents many national and regional law firms and litigants as local counsel in Smith County and the Eastern District of Texas.
33 years
Living in East Texas and having offices in Dallas and Austin, we see a number of cases dealing with investment fraud in connection with oil and gas drilling programs.
16 years
I have been mediating cases since 1992, and spent several years mediation mostly securities fraud cases across the county (over 200), settling almost all of the disputes. Now due to the nature of my practice I do not mediate many securities fraud cases, but still mediate as often as possible.
Languages spoken
English
Forman Law Firm, P. C.
2301 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.
Building H
Austin, TX, 78746
Forman Law Firm, P. C.
609 S. Fannin Ave.
Tyler, TX, 75701
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
TX | Eligible To Practice In Texas | 1987 | 12/05/2020 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Forman Law Firm, P. C. | 2004 - Present |
Registered Representative | Choice Investments, Inc. | 2002 - 2004 |
Founder and Agent | First Avantus Insurance Agency, Inc. | 1998 - 2002 |
CEO | First Avantus Securities, Inc. | 1996 - 2002 |
CEO | First Financial Investment Securities, Inc. | 1996 - 2002 |
Manager | Privet Row, Inc. (Hedge Fund) | 1996 - 2002 |
---|---|---|
President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer | Dallas Research & Trading, Inc. | 1991 - 1994 |
Associate | Godwin, Carlton & Maxwell | 1987 - 1991 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Public Arbitration Investors Association | Member/Speaker | 2002 - Present |
The College of the State Bar of Texas | Member | 2010 - 2011 |
NASD Advisory Council | Member | 2002 - 2003 |
National Association of Securities Dealers, District Committee | Chairman (2002), Vice Chairman (2001), Member (2001-2003) | 2001 - 2003 |
NASD Small Firm Advisory Board | Member | 2001 - 2003 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Dallas Bar Association | Supervision In The Brokerage Industry: The Devil Is In The Details | 2004 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law | N/A | 1987 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Sun City Investment Club | Common Types of Stockbroker Fraud | 2014 |
PIABA Annual Meeting | Telling A Story in Arbitration | 2012 |
Forman Law Firm Investment Fraud Series, presented to FBI | Fraud Enforcement | 2012 |
Forman Law Firm Investment Fraud Series | Stockbroker Fraud | 2007 |
Smith County Bar Presentation CLE | Investors' Claims In NASD Arbitration | 2005 |
Dallas Bar Association CLE Luncheon | Supervision In The Brokerage Industry: The Devil Is In The Details | 2004 |
---|---|---|
Houston Bar Association CLE | Supervision In The Brokerage Industry: The Devil Is In The Details | 2003 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Suitability | Resolved fully! |
Churning and Unauthorized Trading | Successfully resolved in mediation. |
Advice To Retire Early | Resolved through mediation. |
Ponzi Scheme | Successfully resolved! |
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Jeffrey Abrams, Securities and investment fraud Attorney on Oct 20, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Bryan in mediating and settling securities cases. He is a bright lawyer with sound judgment. Bryan is thoughtful and deliberate in negotiation. He represents his clients well. It is my pleasure to recommend him.
Allen Gardner, Securities and investment fraud Attorney on Oct 18, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. He is the finest securities and investment fraud lawyer I know. I have worked on the same side and on opposite sides. You will not find a better lawyer.
David Clouston, Securities and investment fraud Attorney on Oct 18, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Bryan is a very skilled and intelligent lawyer. I have worked both with and against him on matters. He is a huge advantage to his clients.
Ben Barron, Securities and investment fraud Attorney on Oct 4, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have had the honor of working with Bryan on several cases over the past 25 years. Bryan represents his clients with unmatched zeal and determination. His case preparation is thorough, his strategies are fully developed, and his execution of each case plan is consistently brilliant. As if these attributes are not enough, perhaps his greatest virtue is client communication. Bryan keeps his clients informed of the progress of their case and answers all questions clearly and quickly. I recommend Bryan Forman above all others in his field. He is simply a great attorney.
Tyler Czapla, Securities and investment fraud Attorney on Oct 3, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Brian's knowledge of arbitration practice and procedure and the broker world make him the top securities and investment fraud attorney in the area.
Thomas Barron, Securities and investment fraud Attorney on Sep 29, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Bryan quite literally my entire life. We went from pre-k to law school together. He is dedicated, hard-working, and possesses a keen sense of duty to his clients.
Stephen Carmody, Securities and investment fraud Attorney on Sep 28, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer also for Litigation and Employment and Labor law.
Corbet Bryant, Securities and investment fraud Attorney on Sep 28, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Bryan for many years. He is very knowledgeable in the area of securities law and the securities industry. He is adept at representing clients in arbitrations and at the courthouse. I have also observed him do fine work for his clients in numerous mediations in which I was the mediator. Corbet Bryant
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