Connecticut Jury Instruction — 4.4.3 Rule 10(b— - 5(c) Fraudulent Practice or Course of Dealing Stockbroker Churning — Violation of Blue Sky Law and Breach of Fiduciary Duty In Connecticut, the concept of stockbroker churning references an unethical and fraudulent practice carried out by financial professionals entrusted with managing clients' investments. Connecticut Jury Instruction — 4.4.3 Rule 10(b— - 5(c) focuses on this specific fraudulent practice, along with its implications in violating both the Blue Sky Law and breaching fiduciary duties. Stockbroker churning occurs when a financial advisor excessively trades securities in a client's account to generate excessive commissions or fees for themselves. This practice is considered fraudulent as it places the advisor's financial interests above those of their clients, violating their fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the client. Additionally, churning also infringes upon the Blue Sky Law, which protects investors from fraudulent investment practices. Under this jury instruction, the plaintiffs need to prove several elements to establish stockbroker churning, violation of Blue Sky Law, and breach of fiduciary duty. These elements may include: 1. The existence of a stockbroker-client relationship: The plaintiff should demonstrate that there was a valid and established professional relationship between the stockbroker and the client, wherein the stockbroker was responsible for managing the client's investments. 2. Excessive trading: The plaintiff must show that the stockbroker engaged in excessive trading within the client's account. Excessive trading implies trading frequency beyond what is reasonably necessary for the client's investment goals and objectives. 3. Improper intent or motive: The plaintiff needs to prove that the stockbroker engaged in excessive trading with the intention of generating excessive commissions or fees for themselves, rather than serving the client's best interests. 4. Quantifiable financial harm: The plaintiff should provide evidence of quantifiable financial harm caused by the excessive trading. This could include excessive commission charges, fees, or losses incurred due to frequent trading. Violation of the Blue Sky Law occurs when the stockbroker engages in manipulative or deceptive practices related to the securities being traded, making false statements or omitting material facts to induce the client's investment. The Blue Sky Law aims to safeguard investors by regulating the issuance and sale of securities within a particular state. Breach of fiduciary duty refers to the stockbroker's failure to act in the client's best interests, violating their legal and ethical obligation to prioritize the client's financial well-being. This breach occurs when the stockbroker places their own financial gain ahead of the client's objectives, as exemplified by excessive trading without a reasonable basis. It is important to note that these jury instructions may vary depending on the specifics of the case and the applicable laws. Legal professionals and experts should be consulted for accurate and up-to-date guidance in relation to stockbroker churning, the violation of Blue Sky Law, and breach of fiduciary duty in Connecticut.