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 Idaho, securities litigation is governed by both federal and state laws. Federal laws such as the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 primarily regulate the conduct of securities transactions and disclosures to protect investors from fraud and ensure transparency in the securities markets. These laws allow investors to file lawsuits if they suffer losses due to misleading statements or omissions of material facts by companies in which they have invested. Class action lawsuits are a common form of litigation in this area, allowing a group of plaintiffs to sue on behalf of all affected investors. Idaho also has its own securities laws, known as the Idaho Uniform Securities Act, which provides additional regulations and remedies for investors in the state. This act is designed to complement federal laws and offers a framework for the registration and oversight of securities offerings, brokers, and investment advisers within Idaho. Plaintiffs in Idaho can file securities litigation claims in state or federal court, depending on the specifics of the case and the jurisdictional requirements.