Lance Stafford: Suitability Complaint Against Ex-Emerson Advisor

A recent investor complaint against Atlanta, Georgia financial advisor Lance Stafford (CRD# 2900449) alleges that his advice resulted in damages. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority records show that he is registered as a broker with Arkadios Capital and an investment advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors.

Mr. Stafford’s BrokerCheck report discloses one investor complaint. Filed in September 2025, it alleges that as a representative of Emerson Equity, he recommended unsuitable private placement investments. The pending complaint alleges damages of an unspecified amount.

In a statement included with the complaint’s disclosure, Mr. Stafford defends himself against the allegations. “The client engaged our services after considering recommendations from several other [Delaware Statutory Trust] focused advisory firms,” he writes. “We presented a diversified portfolio of DST offerings which allowed her to successfully complete a 1031 Exchange related to the sale of a highly appreciated property in Washington state. This transaction allowed her to defer substantial capital gains and income tax liabilities which otherwise would have been realized when she filed her 2022 income tax returns.”

According to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Lance Stafford holds 26 years of securities industry experience. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, he has been registered as a broker with Arkadios Capital and an investment advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors since 2023. His registration history includes Emerson Equity, Bridge Capital Associates, SignatureFD, Capital Bank and Trust Company, Zelman Partners, Keefe Bruyette & Woods, CIBC World Markets Corporation, and Lehman Brothers. His credentials include the passage of 10 securities industry qualifying exams: the Securities Industry Essentials Examination, or SIE; the General Securities Sales Supervisor – General Module Examination, or Series 10; the General Securities Sales Supervisor – Options Module Examination, or Series 9; the General Securities Principal Examination, or Series 24; the Direct Participation Programs Representative Examination, or Series 22TO; the Limited Representative-Private Securities Offerings, or Series 82TO; the Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination, or Series 65; the Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination, or Series 63; the National Commodity Futures Examination, or Series 3; and the General Securities Representative Examination, or Series 7. (Information current as of February 22, 2026.)

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