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 Utah, securities litigation is governed by both federal laws and state statutes. 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 marketplace. These laws allow investors to file lawsuits if they have been misled by false or incomplete information when buying or selling securities. At the state level, the Utah Uniform Securities Act provides additional regulations and enforcement mechanisms to protect investors and maintain fair dealing in the state's securities market. Securities litigation in Utah often involves class action lawsuits, where a group of plaintiffs collectively bring a case against a company or individual for securities fraud. These cases typically allege that the defendants made false statements or failed to disclose important information, leading to financial losses for the investors. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in such cases aim to recover damages for the losses incurred by the class members.