Michael Barrows, Innovation Partners Broker, Suspended by FINRA
Michael Barrows (CRD# 2933260), a broker registered with Innovation Partners, failed to comply with an arbitration award, according to a regulatory action suspending him. MDF Law is investigating the Charlotte, North Carolina-based financial professional for similar conduct. We encourage former clients with concerns about their accounts to reach out for a free consultation.
This post contains additional details about Mr. Barrows’ history as a broker. The information below is sourced from a January 30, 2025 review of his BrokerCheck profile, a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority record.
Sanction Stemmed from Arbitration Award
On November 15, 2024, FINRA disclosed a sanction against Mr. Barrows. As a disclosure on his BrokerCheck profile reflects, the sanction stems from findings that he failed to comply with an arbitration award or to respond to a FINRA request regarding the status of his compliance. As a result of this alleged failure, FINRA suspended him from registering with any broker-dealer firm in all capacities. His suspension commenced on November 15, 2024 and lifted on November 18, 2024.
Past Dispute Led to $1 Million Award
On August 2, 2022, an investor filed a dispute involving Mr. Barrows. This claim detailed allegations of “unfair, unlawful, and fraudulent business practices” stemming from bond investments. It also alleged that he violated state and federal securities laws, committed fraud, breached his fiduciary duty, and engaged in both negligence and gross negligence. As his BrokerCheck profile reflects, the dispute evolved into an arbitration proceeding before a FINRA panel, which ordered him to pay damages of $1,035,360.36 to the claimant.
Michael Barrows Denies Allegations
Mr. Barrows issued a “Broker Comment” regarding the above-described claim, according to his BrokerCheck profile. In this statement, he asserted that his “wealthy” former client was convinced by a lawyer to “go after” him, and that he was “clearly the wrong party” in the dispute. “The client stated on the record that I did nothing wrong,” the comment reads. “I have filed a Motion to Vacate the award in this matter based upon alleged misclassification of one of the arbitrators, which resulted in an unfair decision.”
FIRNA: Broker Based in Irvine, California
Mr. Barrows started working as a broker in 1997, according to his BrokerCheck profile. That year, he joined SunAmerica Securities in Phoenix, Arizona. Over the following years, he went on to work with a number of firms, including National Planning Corporation, Kingswood Capital, and M Stevens Securities. He joined his current member firm, Innovation Partners, in July 2024, and is still based at its Irvine, California office. Boasting 24 years of experience as a broker, he has completed five industry exams, including the Series 7 and the Series 6.
Investors May Be Able to Recover Losses
If you lost money working with Michael Barrows, you may be eligible to file a FINRA arbitration claim to pursue a recovery. For a free, confidential consultation with an experienced broker fraud attorney, contact MDF Law today. We take cases on a contingency basis, meaning clients only pay a fee they successfully recover losses: no hourly fees. Call 800-767-8040 for a free consultation today.