Our firm is investigating Sequence Financial Specialists financial advisor William Michael Grady (CRD# 4585561) of Florence, South Carolina for potential investment-related misconduct involving a pending FINRA customer dispute tied to an alternative investment offering.
Financial Advisor’s Career History
William Michael Grady first appeared in the BrokerCheck registration history with Resource Horizons Group LLC in Marietta, Georgia, where he was registered from February 2007 through September 2009. Since September 3, 2009, he has been registered with Sequence Financial Specialists LLC, whose branch office is listed at 181 E. Evans Street, Suite C1, BTC-001, Florence, South Carolina 29506. The employment history section also shows that he has been a partner at Webster Rogers, LLP in Florence, South Carolina since June 1984.
William Michael Grady Fraud Allegations and Investor Complaints Explained
The current BrokerCheck report reflects one disclosed customer dispute. FINRA’s disclosure matrix shows one pending customer dispute and no final customer dispute disclosures. The disclosed matter arose while Grady was associated with Sequence Financial Specialists LLC and concerns an investment in an alternative investment described as a conservation easement and development offering. The product type is listed as Direct Investment-DPP & LP Interests.
Pending FINRA Arbitration Filed in 2026
According to the disclosure details, the arbitration was filed with FINRA on February 2, 2026, under docket number 2502386, and notice/process was served on February 5, 2026. The report states that the claimants requested undefined punitive damages based on their investment in the offering. Although the “Alleged Damages” field shows $0.00, the report separately explains that the claim seeks unspecified compensatory damages, pre-judgment interest, and attorney fees. The report further states that the matter evolved into arbitration and that Grady is a named party in the proceeding.
Firm Position as Reported in BrokerCheck
The BrokerCheck entry reports the firm’s position that the claim is without merit or basis. The filing states that the investors were sophisticated and knowledgeable, attested that they could withstand the loss of their investment, and independently voted for the conservation easement option rather than the development option offered by the sponsor. It also states that appraisals were obtained and reviewed in connection with each transaction. These are allegations and defenses reported in BrokerCheck, and the arbitration remains pending rather than finally resolved.
Disclosure Summary
- Disclosure Type: Customer Dispute
- Status: Pending arbitration
- Forum: FINRA
- Docket Number: 2502386
- Filing Date: February 2, 2026
- Date Complaint Received / Process Served: February 5, 2026
- Employing Firm at Time of Events: Sequence Financial Specialists LLC
- Product Type: Direct Investment-DPP & LP Interests
- Allegations: Claims arising from an alternative investment in a conservation easement and development offering, with requests for punitive damages and other unspecified monetary relief
- Disposition: No final disposition reported; arbitration pending; no settlement amount or individual contribution amount listed in the report
To obtain a copy of William Michael Grady’s FINRA BrokerCheck report, visit this link.
Robert Wayne Pearce Is Committed to Recovering Your Investment Losses
FINRA Rule 2111 and Alternative Investment Suitability
FINRA Rule 2111 requires a broker or financial advisor to have a reasonable basis to believe that a recommended investment or strategy is suitable for the customer based on that customer’s investment profile, including risk tolerance, liquidity needs, financial situation, and investment objectives. In a case involving Direct Investment-DPP & LP Interests tied to a conservation easement or development offering, this rule can become important because alternative investments are often complex, illiquid, and speculative. If an investor was placed into such an offering without a sound suitability analysis, that conduct may support a claim for unsuitable recommendations.
FINRA Rule 2090 and the Duty to Know the Customer
FINRA Rule 2090, the Know Your Customer rule, requires registered representatives to use reasonable diligence to understand the essential facts concerning a customer and the authority of each person acting on the account. In the context of the pending complaint against Grady, this rule matters because a broker recommending an alternative investment should understand whether the investors truly had the sophistication, loss-bearing ability, and investment objectives necessary for that product. Where an offering involves specialized tax or valuation issues, the duty to know the customer becomes even more important before any recommendation is made.
FINRA Rule 2010 and Standards of Commercial Honor
FINRA Rule 2010 requires brokers to observe high standards of commercial honor and just and equitable principles of trade. Even where a complaint is still pending, this rule is often cited when investors allege unfair sales practices, misleading presentations, or conduct inconsistent with ethical industry standards. In a dispute involving a conservation easement-related alternative investment, Rule 2010 may be relevant if the arbitration ultimately shows that the investment was sold in a manner that was unfair, misleading, or inconsistent with the broker’s duties to the customer.
Losing your savings to a dishonest broker or advisor can be devastating, but you do not have to face it alone. Robert Wayne Pearce and his team have spent over four decades helping investors who were misled or defrauded by Wall Street firms. The Law Offices of Robert Wayne Pearce, P.A. takes cases nationwide on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover your losses. Call (800) 732-2889 or email pearce@rwpearce.com today for a free and confidential consultation.