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James Doherty is the Subject of a Six-Figure Suitability Dispute

By: kurtablogs Author
December 18, 2025 at 11:39am

James Doherty (CRD #: 859862), a broker registered with Morgan Stanley, is the subject of an investor dispute. This disclosure appears on his BrokerCheck record, accessed on December 18, 2025. Keep reading if you have questions regarding his alleged conduct.

Investor Allegations

On July 24, 2025, an attorney for executors of a deceased investor’s estate alleged that an options trading strategy for the client. The investor is seeking $916,218.

Unsuitable Options Trading

FINRA Rule 2111 requires brokers to evaluate whether an investment fits their investor’s risk tolerance. Options trading strategies are often unsuitable because they are speculative and therefore likely to lose money. Depending on what type of options contract the investor buys, the investor is placing a bet that the price of a stock will either increase or decrease.

Background Information

James Doherty has passed the following exams:

  • Series 65 Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination 
  • Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination 
  • SIE – Securities Industry Essentials Examination 
  • Series 7 General Securities Representative Examination

He is a registered broker in 42 states and is a registered investment adviser in Illinois, Indiana, and Texas.

James Doherty has registered with the following firms:

  • Morgan Stanley (CRD #: 149777)
  • CitiGroup Global Markets (CRD #: 7059)
  • UBS Financial Services (CRD #: 8174)
  • Painewebber Incorporated (CRD #: 8174)
  • Prudential Bache Securities (CRD #: 7471)
  • Oppenheimber & Co. (CRD #: 630)
  • Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith (CRD #: 7691)

Kurta Law Can Help

If you worked with James Doherty and you have concerns about your investments, please contact us today at 877-600-0098 or info@kurtalawfirm.com for a free consultation.

For over 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated on behalf of investors who want to recover their investment losses from brokers and brokerage firms. Kurta Law is a nationally recognized law firm that exclusively represents investors against brokers and brokerage firms on a contingency basis. This means that the firm only earns a fee if our securities attorneys recover money on your behalf. 

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