Jeffrey D. Hedlund

Broker-Dealer Arbitration

Jeff defends broker-dealers and registered representatives in FINRA securities arbitrations against claims of unsuitability, churning, unauthorized trading, selling away, inadequate supervision, and alleged violations of state and federal securities laws. He has worked on cases involving investments such as stocks, bonds, options, mutual funds, structured products, variable products, equity-indexed annuities, REITs, TICs and private placements.

Jeff also represents broker-dealers in industry disputes with their former representatives involving claims of wrongful termination, Form U-5 defamation and breach of promissory notes, trying many such cases to a final arbitration award.

Life Insurance Company Litigation

Jeff represents life insurance companies in class actions and other disputes arising from the sale of variable and fixed products, STOLI-related matters, disputes involving beneficiaries and premium finance companies, and commission charge-back disputes with agents.

Regulatory Enforcement Proceedings

Jeff represents public companies, investment advisory firms, broker-dealers and registered representatives during formal and informal investigations conducted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, FINRA, the Minnesota Department of Commerce and other state securities regulators. He has advised on investigations relating to:

• Insider trading
• Sales of mutual fund Class B shares
• Mutual fund market timing
• Sales of variable annuities
• Private securities transactions
• Use of senior professional designations
• Allocations of initial public offering shares
• Portability of investment performance records

Other Financial Services Litigation

Jeff resolves civil litigation for investment advisory firms and hedge funds, such as disputes with investors or other creditors with competing claims or between principals of such firms. He also represents underwriters and mutual fund companies in cases arising from municipal bond offerings.