Compensation Disputes

Aidikoff, Uhl & Bakhtiari represents senior executives, managers, investment bankers, registered representatives and registered investment advisors in employment related compensation disputes over salary, incentive compensation or other benefits.

Securities industry professionals most often receive their income in the form of annual bonuses or incentive compensation. Often year-end bonuses comprise the vast majority of an employee’s total annual compensation. Most brokerage firms and investment banks pay out bonuses in the first few months of the year following the calendar year in which the bonus was earned. When an employee leaves the firm or is terminated prior to receiving their year-end bonus this can often lead to a dispute over what compensation if any is due.

Firms sometimes attempt to withhold bonuses telling employees that they didn’t qualify because of later created hurdles, that they have been paid enough or that their bonus is somehow subject to an offset. These unjustified excuses can often lead to viable claims for unpaid compensation.

Registered Representatives with substantial books of business often take on partners, sometimes views diverge and disputes concerning compensation, compensation splits or the ownership of the book of business take place. Sometimes despite good intentions, senior management or other executives support one partner.

Most employment disputes in the securities industry are arbitrated before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Aidikoff, Uhl & Bakhtiari has extensive experience resolving disputes in this forum around the country.