Haselkorn & Thibaut Opens Investigation Into Thomas Justice and Emerson Equity Following Million-Dollar Investor Complaint
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Haselkorn & Thibaut, a national investment fraud law firm with over 50 years of experience, has opened an investigation into San Mateo financial advisor Thomas Justice (CRD# 2786145) and his current firm Emerson Equity. This investigation follows recent investor complaints alleging unsuitable investment recommendations resulting in significant financial losses.
Understanding the Recent Complaints Against Thomas Justice
If you’ve invested with Thomas Justice at Emerson Equity or during his time at previous firms, you’ll want to pay close attention to these developments. According to FINRA BrokerCheck records, Mr. Justice faces two significant investor complaints that raise important questions about investment suitability and fiduciary responsibilities.
The most concerning allegation involves a pending May 2025 complaint seeking at least $1 million in damages. This complaint alleges that Thomas Justice, while representing Emerson Equity, recommended an unsuitable real estate investment and breached his fiduciary duty to his client.
Additionally, a 2018 complaint resulted in an $80,000 settlement related to allegedly unsuitable non-traded REIT investments during his tenure at Conover Securities Corporation.
Red Flags Investors Should Consider
When evaluating your relationship with any financial advisor, including Thomas Justice, watch for these warning signs:
| Red Flag | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Multiple Customer Complaints | Pattern of disputes may indicate recurring issues with investment recommendations |
| Over-Concentration Claims | Your portfolio may lack proper diversification, increasing risk |
| High-Dollar Damages Alleged | Significant losses claimed by other investors warrant careful review |
| Alternative Investment Focus | Non-traded REITs and real estate investments carry unique risks |
What Over-Concentration Means for Your Portfolio
The 2018 complaint against Thomas Justice specifically mentioned over-concentration in non-traded REITs. This is particularly concerning because over-concentration occurs when too much of your investment portfolio is allocated to a single asset class, sector, or investment type. Think of it as putting too many eggs in one basket.
FINRA recommends investors protect themselves by:
- Diversifying across different asset classes
- Regularly rebalancing portfolios
- Understanding the underlying investments in funds
- Monitoring investment liquidity
When advisors fail to follow these principles, investors face unnecessary risk that can lead to devastating losses, especially during market downturns.
Thomas Justice’s Professional Background at Emerson Equity
With 29 years in the securities industry, Thomas Justice has worked with multiple firms before joining Emerson Equity in 2020. His registration history includes:
- Current: Emerson Equity (since 2020)
- Previous firms: Conover Securities Corporation, Conover Capital Management, Pacific West Securities, Private Consulting Group, NFP Securities
- Licenses held: Series 66, 65, 63, 7, 6, and SIE
- States licensed: Utah and Washington
Why These Complaints Matter to Current Emerson Equity Clients
If you’re currently working with Thomas Justice at Emerson Equity or invested with him at previous firms, these complaints deserve your attention. The allegations suggest a pattern spanning different firms and investment types, from non-traded REITs to real estate investments.
Consider reviewing your account for:
- Concentration levels in any single investment or asset class
- Suitability of recommendations based on your risk tolerance
- Performance compared to appropriate benchmarks
- Fees and commissions associated with recommended investments
Protecting Your Investment Rights
Investors who have suffered losses need to understand their rights. FINRA arbitration provides a forum for investors to recover losses caused by unsuitable recommendations, over-concentration, or breach of fiduciary duty. However, strict time limits apply, making prompt action essential.
Haselkorn & Thibaut brings unique advantages to investors:
- 98% success rate in recovering client losses
- No recovery, no fee arrangement
- Over 50 years of combined experience
- Millions recovered for clients nationwide
Take Action to Protect Your Financial Future
Don’t wait for losses to mount. If you’ve invested with Thomas Justice at Emerson Equity or any of his previous firms, particularly in real estate investments or non-traded REITs, you deserve answers about whether your investments were suitable for your financial situation.
The pending $1 million complaint and previous $80,000 settlement demonstrate that investors are taking action to protect their rights. You can too.
Haselkorn & Thibaut offers free consultations to help you understand your options. Our experienced team will review your situation, explain your rights, and help you determine the best path forward—all at no cost to you.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
Call Haselkorn & Thibaut at 1-888-628-5590
Remember: No Recovery, No Fee
Time limits apply to investment fraud claims. Contact Haselkorn & Thibaut today at 1-888-628-5590 to discuss your investments with Thomas Justice and Emerson Equity. Our national investment fraud lawyers are ready to help you recover your losses and protect your financial future.
