Lawrence Merl Involved in a New Six-Figure Investor Dispute

Lawrence Merl (CRD #: 2443190), a broker registered with David Lerner Associates, is facing a new investor dispute, according to his BrokerCheck record, accessed on March 3, 2022. Details of the disputes are provided below.

On November 15, 2021, an investor alleged that Lawrence Merl recommended unsuitable investments and omitted information. The investor is seeking $100,000; the dispute is pending.

On October 14, 2020, an investor alleged that Lawrence Merl recommended unsuitable investments and misrepresented securities in connection with Energy 11. The dispute settled for $750,000.

What is an Unsuitable Investment?

FINRA Rule 2111 requires brokers to evaluate whether an investment fits their investor’s financial goals. Brokers must examine the investor’s profile, which contains information about the following investor characteristics:

• Age
• Financial goals
• Risk tolerance
• Time horizon (i.e., how long the investor plans to hold the investment)
• Investing experience
• Tax status

Brokers who do not account for these factors may be held liable for investor losses. Unsuitable investment recommendations are one of the most common causes for FINRA arbitration claims.

Background Information

Lawrence Merl has passed the following exams:

• 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 14 states.

Lawrence Merl has only registered with David Lerner Associates (CRD #: 5397).

Kurta Law Can Help

If you have worked with Lawrence Merl and have concerns about your investments, don’t hesitate to contact us today at 877-600-0098 or info@kurtalawfirm.com for a free consultation. 

For nearly 20 years, Kurta Law has advocated on behalf of investors who have lost money following broker fraud or misconduct. Kurta Law is a nationally recognized law firm and exclusively represents investors on a contingency basis. This means that the firm only earns a fee if our securities attorneys recover money on your behalf. Our attorneys will work tirelessly to restore your lost funds and get your financial future back on track.