Compliance firm sues BD over alleged unpaid fees

Compliance firm sues BD over alleged unpaid fees
Lawsuits between third-party vendors and broker-dealers or RIAs are uncommon in the relatively small wealth management marketplace.
JAN 06, 2025

A compliance firm that works with broker-dealers and registered investment advisors, My RIA Lawyer, has sued a mid-sized broker-dealer, Concorde Investment Services, claiming that Concorde has failed to pay $182,172 for compliance and legal work.

Lawsuits between third-party vendors and broker-dealers or RIAs are uncommon in the relatively small wealth management marketplace; neither vendors or firms that house financial advisors and provide services for them desire to gain reputations for being litigious.

Based in suburban Atlanta, My RIA Lawyer, which is also known as the Shaver Law Group, sued Concorde Investment Services, which is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in November in state court, alleging breach of contract and seeking back legal fees for work it did for the broker-dealer in 2024.

On Friday, Concorde Investment Services, which has close to 150 independent reps in about 50 offices, filed a motion in US District Court in Atlanta, to move the lawsuit to federal court.

Concorde Asset Management, the RIA side of the franchise, manages $395 million of client assets, according to the firm’s Form ADV.

Danielle Delongchamp, CEO of Concorde Investment Services, did not return a call on Monday to comment about the legal dispute. Leila Shaver, founder of My RIA Lawyer, also did not return a call to comment.

The dispute appears to stem from a disagreement over how fees were to be paid for the compliance firm’s work.

According to the complaint filed in November, Concorde Investment Services hired My RIA Lawyer last May “for various regulatory and compliance services” for a subscription fee of $17,500 for a term of 24 months.

The initial agreement, according to My RIA Lawyer’s complaint, stipulated for the firm’s work to be converted to an hourly rate if the contract were to be terminated before the stated time period.

After five months, Concorde Investment Services terminated the agreement with My RIA Lawyer “despite being reminded of the hourly fee provision,” according to the lawsuit. 

From last May to September, Concorde paid My RIA Lawyer $87,500 in fees, according to the court documents. Once the contract ended, My RIA Lawyer converted the total charges to $269,672 and subtracted the amount paid. That let a remaining balance of $182,172, which Concorde “refused” to pay, according to court documents.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. in November censured and fined Concorde Investment Services $110,000 after an investigation revealed it failed to supervise advisors who recommended excessively risky alternative investments to half a dozen clients.

According to Finra, Concorde failed to ensure that recommendations involving limited partnership interests from GPB Capital Holdings were suitable for six of its clients.

Latest News

Advisor moves: LPL welcomes $750M Osaic team, Raymond James recruits Wells Fargo duo in New York
Advisor moves: LPL welcomes $750M Osaic team, Raymond James recruits Wells Fargo duo in New York

Elsewhere in Utah, Raymond James also welcomed another experienced advisor from D.A. Davidson.

UBS loses arbitration battle in fiduciary fight over foundation funds
UBS loses arbitration battle in fiduciary fight over foundation funds

A federal appeals court says UBS can’t force arbitration in a trustee lawsuit over alleged fiduciary breaches involving millions in charitable assets.

RIA moves: NorthRock adds $800M Parkside Advisors, NFP acquires Levine Group in Tennessee
RIA moves: NorthRock adds $800M Parkside Advisors, NFP acquires Levine Group in Tennessee

NorthRock Partners' second deal of 2025 expands its Bay Area presence with a planning practice for tech professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners.

Three easy ways to boost your firm’s impact this summer
Three easy ways to boost your firm’s impact this summer

Rather than big projects and ambitious revamps, a few small but consequential tweaks could make all the difference while still leaving time for well-deserved days off.

Hightower taps Osaic alum Scott Hadley as first chief advisory officer, expands C-suite
Hightower taps Osaic alum Scott Hadley as first chief advisory officer, expands C-suite

Hadley, whose time at Goldman included working with newly appointed CEO Larry Restieri, will lead the firm's efforts at advisor engagement, growth initiatives, and practice management support.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.