Securities litigation refers to lawsuits filed by persons or entities who bought or sold publicly-traded securities (tradable financial assets such as stocks and bonds). These lawsuits are often filed as class actions, with one or a few plaintiffs purporting to represent all persons and entities who bought or sold a company’s stocks, bonds, or other securities during a certain time period (class period). Securities lawsuits are typically based on violations of the securities laws, and allege misleading statements or omissions of material facts.

In Florida, securities litigation is primarily governed by federal laws, such as the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which provide the basis for legal action when there are allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct in the sale or trading of securities. Plaintiffs in Florida may file lawsuits if they believe they have been harmed by violations of these laws, often in the form of class actions to represent a larger group of affected investors. Additionally, Florida has its own securities laws, known as the Florida Securities and Investor Protection Act (Chapter 517, Florida Statutes), which also regulate the sale and offering of securities within the state and provide remedies for investors harmed by securities fraud. These state laws complement federal regulations and provide an additional layer of protection for investors. Securities litigation in Florida may involve coordination between state and federal courts, depending on the specific laws alleged to have been violated and the scope of the securities transactions in question.