Kirsten Gillen: $1.7mm Complaint Against Northwestern Advisor

Minneapolis, Minnesota financial advisor Kirsten Gillen (CRD# 5981051) allegedly failed to act in her customers’ best interest, according to a recent investor complaint. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that she is registered as a broker with Northwestern Mutual Investment Services.

Ms. Gillen’s BrokerCheck report discloses one investor complaint. Filed in August 2026, it alleges that as a representative of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, she did not act in the customer’s best interest in connection with “retirement planning throughout their financial planning relationship,” leading to “significant financial harm.” The pending complaint alleges damages of $1,690,410.

For reference, Rule 15l-1(a)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 states that advisors like Ms. Gillen must recommend only investments and strategies that are in their retail clients’ best interests. Also known as Regulation Best Interest, the Rule stipulates further that broker-dealer firms, as well as their representatives, must “act in the best interest of the retail customer at the time the recommendation is made, without placing the financial or other interest of the broker, dealer, or natural person who is an associated person of a broker or dealer making the recommendation ahead of the interest of the retail customer.” Representatives who fail to act in customers’ best interests may be held liable for damages in the event of losses.

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Kirsten Gillen holds 12 years of securities industry experience. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she has been registered as a broker with Northwestern Mutual Investment Services since 2014. Her credentials include the passage of three securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7; and the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63. She holds 24 state licenses. (Information current as of September 19, 2026.)

Carlson Law represents investors throughout the United States in claims against financial advisors and investment firms. If you or a loved one have suffered investment losses, please call us at 888-976-6111 or complete our contact form for a free and confidential consultation.