The Schwartz Law Firm is pleased to share recent coverage of attorney Matthew Schwartz in Financial Advisor magazine regarding ongoing litigation involving Florida insurance agent and financial advisor Michael Watkins.
The September 3, 2026 article, Two Attorneys, Two Stories: Inside The Fight Over An Advisor’s Missing Millions, examines allegations raised in multiple lawsuits involving former clients of Watkins and presents perspectives from attorneys representing both sides of the dispute.
Matthew Schwartz Represents Nine Plaintiffs
Matthew Schwartz represents nine of the 13 plaintiffs referenced in the Financial Advisor article.
The lawsuits allege that Watkins directed clients to invest funds through what was presented as a Fidelity bond fund. According to the complaints discussed in the article, plaintiffs allege that substantial amounts of their retirement and investment funds were instead directed to an account associated with a company controlled by Watkins.
Schwartz described the alleged conduct as particularly concerning because many of the individuals involved were retired or elderly clients who had entrusted Watkins with significant portions of their savings.
The article also presents the position of Watkins’s attorney, who disputes allegations of fraud and offers a different account of the circumstances surrounding the investments and subsequent movement of funds.
Millions in Judgments and Pending Claims
According to Schwartz’s comments reported by Financial Advisor, civil courts have already entered approximately $3.9 million in judgments against Watkins. Three additional pending cases seek a combined approximately $1.1 million, bringing the total amount involved to more than $5 million.
The litigation remains ongoing, with disputes surrounding the handling and recovery of funds.
Read the Full Financial Advisor Article
For the complete reporting, including comments from Matthew Schwartz and the opposing attorney, read Two Attorneys, Two Stories: Inside The Fight Over An Advisor’s Missing Millions in Financial Advisor magazine.
Read the full article on Financial Advisor →
The Schwartz Law Firm represents investors in disputes involving investment losses, financial misconduct, and related securities matters. If you believe you have suffered investment losses due to misconduct or misrepresentation, contact our firm to discuss your situation.
Matthew Schwartz
Matthew Schwartz represents clients harmed by lawyers, accountants, insurance professionals, real estate agents, brokers, financial advisors, and other trusted professionals. He handles Florida litigation and nationwide FINRA arbitration. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® and named to the Best Law Firms® list.
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