---
title: "What Does a Securities Arbitration Attorney Cost in 2026? Fees and Pricing Explained"
url: https://aalize.com/what-does-a-securities-arbitration-attorney-cost-in-2026-fees-and-pricing-explained/
description: "A brokerage statement showing losses is one thing. A lawyer's bill for recovering them is another worry entirely."
published: 2026-11-05
updated: 2026-11-05
---

# What Does a Securities Arbitration Attorney Cost in 2026? Fees and Pricing Explained

Published 2026-11-05

A brokerage statement showing losses is one thing. A lawyer's bill for recovering them is another worry entirely.

Before you call anyone about a bad investment, you want to know what the fight costs and who pays if it fails.

This article breaks down securities arbitration attorney pricing in 2026: contingency, hourly and hybrid fee structures, plus the FINRA filing fees and hearing costs investors absorb. You will also see how Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, prices investor cases, so you can decide whether pursuing a claim makes financial sense.

## What Is Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com & Thibaut, P.A., Operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com?

Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, is a national securities and investment fraud law firm that represents individual investors in disputes against brokers and financial advisors. The firm was founded by **two former Wall Street defense lawyers, Jason S. Haselkorn and Matthew N. Thibaut**, who now work on the investor side of the table.

That background matters when you are weighing legal fees. The partners spent years defending brokerage firms, so they understand how those firms build a defense and where the weaknesses tend to sit. **Clients are represented by lawyers who once sat on the other side** of these disputes.

The practice is boutique by design. Haselkorn & Thibaut handles securities arbitration and investment litigation nationwide, with a focus on recovering losses tied to broker misconduct, unsuitable recommendations, and fraud. The firm reports **95+ years of combined securities law experience** and involvement in over $520 million of securities cases.

Cases move through FINRA arbitration, AAA arbitration, JAMS arbitration, and state and federal court litigation. The firm also maintains offices in five states: Florida (main office, Juno Beach), New York, Arizona, Texas, and North Carolina, while representing investors in all 50 states.

One practical point for anyone comparing cost structures: **the partners are personally involved in every case**. Clients work directly with Jason S. Haselkorn and Matthew N. Thibaut rather than being handed off to junior associates, which keeps decision-making close to the people who know the file.

The firm's focus is narrow on purpose. It represents investors, families, trusts, and estates, not brokerage firms, and that single-sided focus shapes how matters are staffed and priced. Haselkorn & Thibaut reports a 98% success rate in investor claims and FINRA arbitrations, and holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating (top 2% peer-reviewed) along with 5.0-star client reviews. Each case is unique, and results vary based on the specific facts, evidence, and damages involved.

## What Does a Securities Arbitration Attorney Cost in 2026? The Short Answer

The cost of a securities arbitration attorney in 2026 depends largely on the fee structure: most investor-side firms work on contingency, while some charge hourly or use hybrid arrangements.

Each **pricing model** shifts risk and timing in a different way. A contingency fee ties attorney compensation to the recovery, hourly billing pays for time regardless of outcome, and hybrid structures blend the two.

Many investor advocates, including Haselkorn & Thibaut, generally handle investor cases on a contingency basis, though the firm notes other arrangements can apply depending on the matter. The sections below explain how each **cost structure** works.

### No Recovery, No Fee: How Contingency Pricing Works for Investors

Under a contingency fee arrangement, the investor pays no attorney fees unless money is recovered, and the fee is typically a percentage of the recovery.

The percentage is set in a written **retainer agreement** before work begins. It often falls somewhere around 33% to 40%, though the figure varies by firm and can change as a case moves from negotiation toward a final hearing. Investors should read that clause closely and ask how the percentage applies at each stage.

Case costs are a separate question from attorney fees. **Filing fees**, administrative fees charged through FINRA dispute resolution, discovery costs, and expert witness fees may be billed to the client or advanced by the firm and repaid from any recovery. Ask which approach applies before signing.

Haselkorn & Thibaut reports that investor cases are generally handled on a contingency basis, where the fee is a percentage of the recovery and the client pays nothing unless money is recovered. The firm also states that no payment is required to start, and it offers a free, confidential case evaluation by phone, in person, or virtually.

This structure matters most for **investment fraud claims** and suitability or churning allegations, where the arbitration claim value may be modest relative to the work involved. Even so, no outcome is promised: the firm notes that each case is unique and results vary based on the specific facts, evidence, and damages.

### Fee Arrangements That May Apply: Hourly, Hybrid and Alternative Structures

Some securities arbitration attorneys charge by the hour, use a hybrid model with a reduced contingency plus hourly fees, or require a retainer that is drawn down as work is performed.

Hourly rates for securities attorneys in 2026 commonly range from about $300 to $800 or more, depending on experience and location. Under this model, **legal billing** tracks time spent on discovery, motion practice, and hearing preparation, so the total depends heavily on case complexity and hearing length.

Hybrid structures lower the contingency percentage but add hourly charges for defined tasks. Flat fees may cover narrow services such as an initial case evaluation or a FINRA expungement request. A retainer agreement may also require an upfront deposit that is drawn down as work proceeds.

Investors should request a written fee schedule and compare structures side by side. The right choice depends on the size of the claim, the expected length of the case, and how much of the risk the client prefers to carry. No single model is inherently better.

Haselkorn & Thibaut notes that fee arrangements can include hourly, contingency, hybrid, or alternative structures depending on the case, while in most investor cases there is no fee unless the firm recovers funds. The firm reports a 98% success rate in investor claims and FINRA arbitrations, and it states that results vary by case with no outcome promised.

## What Drives the Cost of a Securities Arbitration Case

The total cost of a securities arbitration case is influenced by factors such as the amount of the claim, the complexity of the legal issues, the length of the hearing, and the need for expert witnesses.

Those drivers work together. A larger **arbitration claim value** usually means more at stake and more work. **Case complexity** rises with the number of trades, accounts, and legal theories involved.

Discovery scope, hearing length, and expert fees round out the picture. The sections below break down each one so families can budget with clear eyes.

### FINRA Filing Fees, Hearing Costs and Other Expenses to Expect

Investors in FINRA arbitration can expect to pay filing fees that scale with the claim amount, along with hearing session fees, discovery costs, and potentially expert witness fees.

According to FINRA's published fee schedule, a claim of up to $25,000 carries a **$50 filing fee**. Claims between $25,001 and $100,000 carry a **$600 filing fee**, and larger claims pay more, with $1,200 cited for claims up to $500,000. Fee amounts are set by FINRA and can change, so verify the current schedule before filing.

Hearing session fees typically run about **$300 per session**, and many cases need several sessions. Discovery adds more: depositions, document production, and related work all carry costs.

Expert witness fees often fall in the **$5,000 to $20,000 range or higher**, depending on the subject matter and the hours required. These are case costs, separate from attorney fees, and some firms advance them and recover them from any award.

Keep a simple checklist of what to confirm in writing:

- Which costs the firm advances and which you pay directly
- Whether cost reimbursement comes out of any recovery
- How hearing sessions and expert hours are tracked

### Why Contingency Fees Align the Attorney's Interests With Yours

A contingency fee structure aligns the attorney's financial interest with the client's because the attorney only gets paid if the client recovers money.

Compare that with hourly billing, where every additional hour generates revenue. That does not mean hourly attorneys act badly, but the incentive structure is different. Under a **contingency fee**, efficiency serves both sides, and the retainer agreement should spell out the percentage and when it applies.

Contingency arrangements also lower the barrier to entry. Investors who could not fund a long hourly case upfront can still pursue investment fraud claims, including suitability claims, churning allegations, breach of fiduciary duty, unauthorized trading, and negligence claims.

There are tradeoffs. Firms screen contingency cases more carefully and may decline weaker claims, so a declined case is not proof of a bad claim. Clients should still review case costs as the matter moves through FINRA dispute resolution.

Read the retainer agreement closely. Confirm the percentage, how expenses are handled, and what happens if the case ends without a recovery. Ask questions until the cost structure is clear, and remember that results vary by case.

## How Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com & Thibaut, P.A., Operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com Prices Investor Cases

Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, generally handles investor cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no attorney fees unless money is recovered. The firm reports that no payment is required to start, and it offers a free, confidential case evaluation.

That structure matters in securities arbitration, where **FINRA arbitration costs** and attorney time can add up before any hearing takes place. A contingency pricing model ties the firm's compensation to the outcome rather than the hours logged.

The firm notes that fee arrangements can also include hourly, contingency, hybrid or alternative arrangements depending on the case. In most investor cases, though, there is no fee unless the firm recovers funds.

Every case is different. Results vary based on the specific facts, evidence and damages, so past results do not predict the outcome of another matter. The details below explain what the free evaluation covers and how the firm's structure affects the way a case is handled.

### Free, Confidential Case Evaluation and No Payment to Start

Haselkorn & Thibaut offers a free, confidential case evaluation to assess whether an investor has a viable claim, and clients pay nothing to start. The consultation can take place by phone, in person or virtually, which helps families who live far from the firm's offices.

During that review, the firm looks at the investor's situation, account documents and potential claims. This is the point where questions about **suitability claims**, churning allegations, unauthorized trading or breach of fiduciary duty can be sorted into a workable theory of the case.

A few practical points about the evaluation:

- It carries no cost and no obligation to proceed.
- No payment is required to begin representation.
- The firm advances case costs in many instances, which can include filing fees, administrative fees and other **discovery costs**.
- A free evaluation does not mean the firm will accept the case.

If the firm does take the matter, a written retainer agreement sets out the contingency fee percentage and how costs are handled. Read it closely before signing, and ask about anything unclear. Investors should also keep the six-year FINRA filing deadline in mind, since delay can affect a claim.

### Direct Partner Involvement From Consultation Through Resolution

At Haselkorn & Thibaut, clients work directly with the firm's two partners, Jason S. Haselkorn and Matthew N. Thibaut, from the initial consultation through the resolution of the case. The boutique structure means matters are not passed down to junior associates or case managers.

That arrangement has practical value in arbitration. Consistent strategy from one person who knows the file can reduce wasted motion, and direct communication means questions get answered by the lawyer making the decisions. Accountability sits with the partners rather than being spread across a team.

Both partners are former Wall Street defense lawyers. They defended large financial institutions before representing individual investors, so they understand how broker-dealers and their counsel approach **FINRA dispute resolution**. That perspective can shape how a claim is framed and where **case complexity** is likely to surface.

Jason Haselkorn also served as General Counsel for a regional broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment advisory firm. Together the partners bring more than 95 years of combined securities law experience, and the firm reports involvement in over $520 million of securities cases.

Hands-on partner work can affect case efficiency and cost, since fewer layers usually mean less duplication. The firm reports that most FINRA arbitration and investment litigation matters conclude within about 12 to 14 months from filing, though timing varies by case.

## Trust Signals: Experience, Track Record and Client Reviews

When evaluating a securities arbitration attorney, investors should look for verifiable experience, professional recognition, and client feedback. Fees matter, but the more important question is what that fee buys in judgment and preparation. A lower **hourly rate** or a slightly better contingency fee split means little if the lawyer has never argued a suitability claim before a FINRA panel.

Start with time in the field. Securities arbitration is a specialized practice, and the learning curve is steep. Ask how long the attorney has handled investor claims and how many cases they have taken through to an award or settlement.

Haselkorn & Thibaut reports 95+ years of combined securities law experience between its partners. Jason S. Haselkorn brings over 30 years of practice, and Matthew N. Thibaut has more than 25 years in securities litigation and arbitration. The firm also states it has been involved in over **$520 million of securities cases**, which gives a sense of the claim sizes it routinely handles.

Background cuts both ways. Both partners are former Wall Street defense attorneys who once represented large financial institutions. That experience can matter when a brokerage firm's counsel pushes back during discovery or at hearing.

Professional recognition is a useful filter because it is earned from peers and courts, not self-published. Two ratings carry weight in this field:

- **Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent**, a peer review rating that places a lawyer in the top 2 percent of those reviewed
- **Super Lawyers**, which designates attorneys by practice area after peer nomination and independent research

Both Haselkorn & Thibaut partners hold the AV Preeminent rating, according to the firm. Matthew Thibaut is also Super Lawyers-designated in Securities. Both partners have been recognized in Florida Trend Legal Elite.

Past results are the most quoted trust signal and the easiest to misread. The firm reports a **98% success rate** in investor claims and FINRA arbitrations. That figure is the firm's own reporting, and it should be read alongside the firm's own caveat: each case is unique, and results vary based on specific facts, evidence, and damages. Past results do not guarantee any particular outcome in another case.

Concrete examples help more than a percentage. Representative matters the firm describes include a $1.28 million FINRA arbitration award against Fidelity for investors with structured note losses. Another case produced a recovery more than five times an earlier mediation offer after the partners took over from prior counsel.

Client reviews round out the picture. The firm cites **5.0-star client reviews**, with 57+ five-star reviews. One client, Leila, described how Matt made the process easy to understand and handled the paperwork and arbitration smoothly. Another, Rich, said Matt clearly explained the law and options and prepared him to feel comfortable testifying.

Do not take any of this at face value. Verify awards through Martindale-Hubbell and Super Lawyers directly, and read reviews on independent platforms rather than only on a firm's own site. Ask during a free consultation how a specific claim would be staffed and what the expected cost structure looks like for a matter of that size.

A firm that welcomes those questions, and answers them with specifics, is showing you the same trust signals it advertises. Haselkorn & Thibaut offers a free, confidential case evaluation by phone, in person, or virtually, which is a low-risk way to test that fit before any retainer agreement is signed.

## Who Should Use Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com & Thibaut, P.A., Operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com

Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, is best suited for individual investors, retirees, families, trusts, and estates that have lost money due to broker misconduct or advisor fraud. These are people who trusted a financial professional and now face a shortfall they did not expect.

The firm represents investors nationwide in FINRA arbitration and does not represent broker-dealers or financial institutions in these matters. That one-sided posture matters when you are deciding who to call, because **the firm sits on the investor side of the table** in every claim it takes.

Typical claims involve unsuitable recommendations, churning, unauthorized trading, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, or outright fraud. Not every loss fits these categories, which is why the firm offers a **free, confidential case evaluation** to determine whether a claim is viable.

A market decline is not misconduct. A concentrated position that was disclosed and agreed to is not necessarily a claim either. The evaluation exists to separate investment losses from actionable broker conduct, and to tell you plainly when there is no case.

Older investors and the families of elder financial abuse victims are a frequent fit, as are accounts held in trust or left to heirs. The firm also reports experience with corporations, pension plans, and charitable organizations that suffered investment losses.

Cost is often the reason people hesitate before calling. Investor cases are generally handled on a contingency basis, meaning **no payment is required to start** and the fee is a percentage of any recovery. Under that structure, the free evaluation carries no financial risk, and the six-year FINRA filing deadline is the more pressing clock to watch.

## Final Verdict: Is a Securities Arbitration Attorney Worth the Cost in 2026?

Whether a securities arbitration attorney is worth the cost in 2026 depends on the strength of your claim, the amount at stake, and your comfort with the arbitration process. For most investors with a meritorious investment fraud claim, the answer is yes, and the way fees are structured is a big reason why.

Under a contingency fee arrangement, the attorney's compensation is a percentage of what is recovered, and the client pays nothing unless money is recovered. That single feature removes most of the upfront financial risk that keeps harmed investors from ever filing. Haselkorn & Thibaut generally handles investor cases this way, and the firm states that no payment is required to start.

Case costs are the other side of the equation. Filing and administrative fees through FINRA dispute resolution, discovery costs, and expert witness fees can arise even in a contingency matter, so it is fair to ask how those are handled before you sign a retainer agreement. A clear cost structure, explained in plain terms, is a sign of a firm worth trusting.

Hourly arrangements can suit certain clients, particularly broker-dealers or respondents with predictable, document-heavy disputes. For individual investors pursuing suitability claims, churning allegations, breach of fiduciary duty, unauthorized trading, or negligence claims, contingency pricing usually aligns the attorney's interest with the client's recovery.

Weighing it all, the value of experienced claimant representation often outweighs the cost for a meritorious claim. Arbitration is a legal process with deadlines, pleading rules, and evidentiary standards, and the firm notes that FINRA claims generally must be filed within six years. Missing that window can end a claim before it starts.

Haselkorn & Thibaut brings 95+ years of combined securities law experience to this work, and the firm reports a 98% success rate in investor claims and FINRA arbitrations. It also reports involvement in over $520 million of securities cases. These figures are the firm's own and are not a promise about any individual matter. Each case is unique, and results vary based on specific facts, evidence, and damages.

The practical step is a free, confidential case evaluation. It costs nothing, requires no payment to start, and gives you a straight answer about whether you have a claim, what the fee arrangement would look like, and what case costs you might face. You can reach Investment Fraud Lawyers by phone, in person, or virtually.

- **National toll-free:** 1-888-885-7162
- **Florida (Main Office):** 790 Juno Ocean Walk, Suite 501-C, Juno Beach, FL 33408. Phone: (561) 556-2203
- **New York:** Park Avenue Center, 125 Park Avenue, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017

No outcome is guaranteed, and no attorney can promise a specific recovery or timeline. What a consultation can do is replace uncertainty with information, so you can decide with clear eyes whether to pursue your claim. Contact Haselkorn & Thibaut for a confidential consultation and a free review of your situation.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much does a securities arbitration attorney cost at Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com P.A.?

For most investor cases, Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, handles matters on a contingency basis: the fee is a percentage of the recovery, and you pay nothing unless money is recovered. No payment is required to start, and the firm offers a free, confidential case evaluation and consultation by phone, in person or virtually. The firm's FAQ also notes that fee arrangements can include hourly, contingency, hybrid or alternative structures depending on the case, though in most investor cases there is no fee unless the firm recovers funds.

### Do I have to pay anything up front to have my case reviewed?

No. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, provides a free, confidential case evaluation and free consultation, and no payment is required to start. You can reach the firm by phone, in person or virtually, and its nationwide FINRA arbitration practice means clients can meet in person or virtually wherever they are located.

### What does "no recovery, no fee" actually mean?

It means investor cases are generally handled on a contingency basis, where the attorney's fee is a percentage of the recovery and the client pays nothing unless money is recovered. Because fee arrangements can vary with the facts of a case, it's best to confirm the specific terms in writing during your free consultation with Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com.

### What factors can affect the cost of my securities arbitration case?

Costs can depend on the specific facts, evidence and damages involved, as well as the forum-FINRA arbitration is the most common, but the firm also handles AAA and JAMS arbitration and state and federal court litigation. The firm's site notes that each case is unique and results vary based on specific facts, evidence and damages. Discussing your situation in a free consultation is the most reliable way to understand the likely fee structure for your matter.

### How long does a securities arbitration case take, and does that affect what I pay?

According to the firm's FAQ, most FINRA arbitration and investment litigation matters conclude within about 12 to 14 months from filing, though every case is different. Keep in mind that FINRA claims generally must be filed within six years, so it's wise to have your situation reviewed promptly. Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, can explain the expected timeline and fee structure for your case during a free consultation.

### Why choose Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com P.A. for my investor claim?

Haselkorn & Thibaut, P.A., operating as InvestmentFraudLawyers.com, is a two-partner boutique practice where Jason S. Haselkorn and Matthew N. Thibaut are personally involved in every case, so clients work directly with the partners from the first consultation through resolution. Both partners are former Wall Street defense attorneys, and the firm reports 95+ years of combined securities law experience and a 98% success rate in investor claims and FINRA arbitrations. Past results do not guarantee any particular outcome, since each case is unique and results vary based on specific facts, evidence and damages.