Overview
Assets Under Management: $107 million
High-Net-Worth Clients: 37
Average Client Assets: $3 million
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Investment Advisor Selection
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (BHA ADV PART 2A AMENDMENT V.09.25.25)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $1,000,000 | 1.50% |
| $1,000,001 | $10,000,000 | 1.00% |
| $10,000,001 | and above | 0.75% |
Minimum Annual Fee: $35,000
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $35,000 | 3.50% |
| $5 million | $55,000 | 1.10% |
| $10 million | $105,000 | 1.05% |
| $50 million | $405,000 | 0.81% |
| $100 million | $780,000 | 0.78% |
Clients
Number of High-Net-Worth Clients: 37
Percentage of Firm Assets Belonging to High-Net-Worth Clients: 98.84
Average High-Net-Worth Client Assets: $3 million
Total Client Accounts: 39
Discretionary Accounts: 39
Regulatory Filings
CRD Number: 170114
Last Filing Date: 2025-02-10 00:00:00
Website: https://blairhalladvisors.com
Form ADV Documents
Primary Brochure: BHA ADV PART 2A AMENDMENT V.09.25.25 (2025-09-25)
View Document Text
Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
September 25, 2025
117 18th Ave East
Seattle, WA 98112
www.BlairHallAdvisors.com
Firm Contact:
Thomas Gerson
Chief Compliance Officer
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Blair Hall
Advisors, LLC. If clients have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at
(206) 397-0325 (or (212) 401-6924) or email info@blairhalladvisors.com. The information in this
brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission or by any State Securities Authority. Additional information about our firm is also
available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching CRD #170114.
Please note that the use of the term “registered investment adviser” and description of our firm
and/or our associates as “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Clients are
encouraged to review this Brochure and Brochure Supplements for our firm’s associates who advise
clients for more information on the qualifications of our firm and our employees.
Item 2: Material Changes
Annual Update
The Material Changes section of this brochure will be updated annually or when material changes
occur since the previous release of the Firm Brochure.
Material Changes since the Last Update
Blair Hall Advisors, LLC is required to notify clients of any material changes since the last annual
update of the Firm Brochure (“Brochure”).
Since the Firm’s last annual amendment filed on February 10, 2025, it has added a provision for Non-
Exclusive Minimum Fees for new clients who do not maintain a minimum of 90% of their assets under
management with the Firm to address the additional cost and complexity of providing service to
those clients under those circumstances. The Firm has also changed the timeframe for reviews of
accounts with balances below $250,000 for new clients. More information on these changes is
available below in Items 4, 5, 7, and 13.
Full Brochure Available
Whenever you would like to receive a complete copy of our Firm Brochure, please contact us by
telephone at: (206) 397-0325 (or (212) 401-6924) or email info@blairhalladvisors.com.
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
Item 3: Table of Contents
Contents
Item 1: Cover Page .................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2: Material Changes ......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4: Advisory Business ....................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5: Fees & Compensation ................................................................................................................. 8
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management ..................................................... 13
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements ........................................................................... 13
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss .............................................. 13
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ......................................................................................................... 16
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations ............................................................ 16
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in ........................................................................ 16
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ............................................................................................................... 17
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans ............................................................................... 20
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation ............................................................................. 20
Item 15: Custody ...................................................................................................................................... 20
Item 16: Investment Discretion............................................................................................................ 21
Item 17: Voting Client Securities .......................................................................................................... 21
Item 18: Financial Information ............................................................................................................ 21
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
Item 4: Advisory Business
Our firm provides individuals and other types of clients with a wide array of investment advisory
services. Our firm is a Delaware limited liability company established in 2013 and registered as an
investment adviser since August 2014. Our firm is owned primarily by Thomas Gerson, with Shelly
Gerson (who is not a financial advisor) owning a minority interest.
The purpose of this Brochure is to disclose the conflicts of interest associated with the investment
transactions, compensation and any other matters related to investment decisions made by our firm
or its representatives. As a fiduciary, it is our duty to always act in the client’s best interest. This is
accomplished in part by knowing our client. Our firm has established a service-oriented advisory
practice with open lines of communication for many different types of clients to help meet their
financial goals while remaining sensitive to risk tolerance and time horizons. Working with clients to
understand their investment objectives while educating them about our process, facilitates the kind
of working relationship we value.
Types of Advisory Services Offered
The Firm has Legacy Clients who receive services no longer on offer by the Firm.
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
Our Comprehensive Portfolio Management service encompasses asset management as well as
providing financial planning/financial consulting to clients. It is designed to assist clients in meeting
their financial goals using financial investments. We conduct at least one, but sometimes more than
one meeting (in person, if possible, otherwise via telephone conference) with clients to understand
their current financial situation, existing resources, financial goals, and tolerance for risk. Based on
what we learn, we will propose an investment approach to the client. We may propose an investment
portfolio, consisting of exchange traded funds, mutual funds, individual stocks or bonds, or other
securities. Upon the client’s agreement to the proposed investment plan, we work with the client to
establish or transfer investment accounts so that we can manage the client’s portfolio. Once the
relevant accounts are under our management, we review such accounts on a regular basis and at
least quarterly. We may periodically rebalance client accounts under our management. If the client
experiences any significant changes to his/her financial or personal circumstances, the client must
notify us so that we can consider such information in managing the client’s investments. We have no
obligation to consider those changes in financial or personal circumstances until we are made aware
of them. We will follow the guidelines on the approach to risk and to various asset classes as set forth
in an “investment policy statement,” if we have one in place; until then, or if none is put in place, we
will manage your investments using our good judgment and our firm’s documented understanding
of your situation, which includes the information gathered in our initial discovery process as
described above and during our annual meetings with you. (You will let us know if you wish to put
an investment policy in place; or if we feel it is needed for your situation, we may initiate an effort to
establish an investment policy.)
Investments may include alternative investments, such as hedge funds, funds of hedge funds, private
equity, funds of private equity or to the use of so-called “managed accounts” or “sub-advised”
accounts, wherein a third-party advisor may assist with a portion of a client’s investments. We are
accountable for ascertaining and monitoring the suitability of any such investments. Any third-party
costs involved in these investments would be the responsibility of the client, separate from our fee.
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
Such costs may or may not be deducted by the third-party directly from the investment itself,
depending on the investment’s composition and legal structure. It is possible we may need to collect
such third-party costs from a client on a pass-through basis, or that we may offer to do so as a service
to our client. In no event would such costs ever be “marked up” by us and become a source of financial
benefit for us.
We review accounts on at least a quarterly basis. The nature of these reviews is to learn whether the
client’s accounts are in line with their investment objectives, appropriately positioned based on our
understanding of market conditions, and investment policies, if applicable. Only our Partners,
Financial Advisors or Portfolio Managers will conduct reviews. We may review client accounts more
frequently than described above at our discretion or upon client request.
We do not provide written reports to clients, unless asked to do so or we feel that doing so will aid in
discussions concerning decisions that need to be made. Oral reports to clients take place on at least
an annual basis for clients who are responsive to our request for such a meeting or phone call.
We ask clients to provide information or documentation pertaining to income, investments, taxes,
insurance, estate plan, family obligations, or anything that would reasonably be deemed important
to their financial situation. We expect them to be forthcoming and proactively share such important
information with us. We also discuss with clients their investment objectives, needs and goals in an
effort to stay informed of any changes. We need diligent participation from clients to adequately
perform our services. We cannot verify any information obtained from you, your attorney,
accountant or other professionals, and we rely on any information they provide.
If a client requests and participates in the process, we will facilitate and provide formal (written)
financial modeling and/or planning (hereinafter, “modeling and planning” or just “planning”) as often
as once every two years if (i) your Assets with us are $5 million or more, (ii) we manage at least eighty
percent of your investment assets, and (iii) certain other conditions are met. Under these conditions,
the fee for the first twenty (20) hours of this planning shall be deferred until the end of the twelfth
month following provision of planning services and, if such payment does not become due by such
date, it shall be waived. Fees for effort exceeding twenty (20) hours are not deferred. If a client ceases
to remain a client for such twelve-month period, this deferred fee shall become due and shall not be
waived.
The topics that are generally addressed in written planning include:
Retirement Planning
Our retirement planning services typically include projections of your likelihood of achieving
your financial goals, typically focusing on financial independence as the primary objective.
For situations where projections show less than the desired results, we may make
recommendations, including those that may impact the original projections by adjusting
certain variables (e.g., working longer, saving more, spending less, taking more risk with
investments). If you are near retirement or already retired, advice may be given on
appropriate distribution strategies to minimize the likelihood of running out of money or
having to adversely alter spending during your retirement years.
Employee Benefits Optimization
We will review and analyze whether you, as an employee, are taking appropriate advantage
of your employee benefits and may recommend adjustments. If you are a business owner, we
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
will provide guidance on the various benefit programs that can be structured to meet both
business and personal retirement goals.
Cash Flow and Debt Management
We will review your income and expenses to determine your current surplus or deficit along
with advice on prioritizing how any surplus should be used or how to reduce expenses if they
exceed your income. Advice may also be provided on which debts to pay off first. We may also
recommend what we believe to be an appropriate cash reserve that should be considered for
emergencies and other financial goals, along with a review of accounts (such as money
market funds) for such reserves, plus strategies to save desired amounts.
College Savings
Includes projecting the amount that will be needed to achieve college or other post-secondary
education funding goals, along with advice on ways for you to save the desired amount.
Recommendations as to savings strategies are included, and, if needed, we will review your
financial picture as it relates to eligibility for financial aid or the best way to contribute to
grandchildren (if appropriate). (Disclosure: our expertise in financial aid is limited; the rules
are constantly changing, and most of our clients are not eligible so we do not stay current on
all possible financial aid details.)
Financial Goals
We will help clients identify financial goals and develop a plan to help maximize the
possibility of reaching them. We will identify what you plan to accomplish, what resources
you will need to make it happen, how much time you will need to reach the goal, and how
much you should budget for your goal.
Insurance
Review of existing policies to ensure proper coverage for life, health, disability, long-term
care, liability, home and automobile.
Investment Analysis
This may involve developing an asset allocation strategy to meet a client’s financial goals and
risk tolerance, providing information on investment vehicles and strategies, reviewing
employee stock options, as well as assisting you in establishing your own investment account
at a selected broker/dealer or custodian. The strategies and types of investments we may
recommend are further discussed in Item 8 of our ADV 2A disclosure document.
Risk Management
A risk management review includes an analysis of your exposure to major risks that could
have a significant adverse impact on your financial picture, such as premature death,
disability, property and casualty losses, or the need for long-term care planning. Advice may
be provided on ways to minimize such risks and about weighing the costs of purchasing
insurance versus the benefits of doing so and, likewise, the potential cost of not purchasing
insurance (“self-insuring”).
Tax Planning Strategies
Advice may include ways to minimize current and future income taxes as a part of your
overall financial planning picture. For example, we may make recommendations on which
type of account(s) or specific investments should be owned based in part on their “tax
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
efficiency,” with consideration that there is always a possibility of future changes to federal,
state or local tax laws and rates that may impact your situation.
In the interests of best serving clients and keeping planning complexity “moderate” instead of greater
(i.e., to avoid or minimize incremental cost to clients), we may prioritize the topics of greatest
importance to a client’s situation rather than addressing every topic in every plan. Twenty hours, the
amount of planning the fee for which can become eligible for deferral as described in more detail
below, may not be sufficient to complete a worthwhile plan for every client. Nonetheless, we will
proceed to completion unless clients initiate a request for a phased approach at the start of planning.
It should be noted that pausing at phases can add time and cost overall. We complete plans once
clients have responded to all our initial information requests unless a client instructs us to stop, or
our relationship terminates, part way through. Unless otherwise arranged, we will aim to keep all
plans at “moderate” complexity relative to clients’ situations. “Moderate” is defined at our discretion.
We rely on planning software, and our planning may be susceptible to possible issues with data entry,
software bugs, errors in our use of the software and all typical types of errors involved in using
software, generally, even though we will make workmanlike efforts to avoid such errors. Planning a
client’s finances years in advance is an uncertain process, and you understand that our planning
results should be relied upon only as one point of view in your overall financial decision-making.
If a client’s Assets with us are at least $3 million but less than $5 million, we will provide the above
financial planning service up to once every three years. Informal discussions about a client’s financial
plans and goals are always an included service, at all asset levels, at all times. In all instances, planning
will be charged in full based on our hourly rate if a client ceases to be a client within twelve months
of any planning activity, whether partial effort or completed, payable within 30 days or debited
against any pro-rata refund due, or a combination. The start of any planning will be subject to
resource availability. We may perform formal planning for clients more frequently than discussed
above if requested and as resources are available, but without the benefit of any deferred and
potentially waived costs.
Supplemental charges may apply for written planning for assets held away, real estate investment
assets, added complexity, and as otherwise detailed in client agreements. Depending on resource
availability, planning at a greater frequency may be available for an additional fee. Client agreements
govern details.
We reserve the right to waive minimum account sizes and minimum fees and to offer fee discounts
in our sole discretion and to negotiate the provision of more limited services in those scenarios.
Tailoring of Advisory Services
Each client has the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held
in the portfolio. Restrictions on investments in certain securities or types of securities may not be
possible due to the level of difficulty this would entail in managing the account.
Participation in Wrap Fee Programs
Our firm does not offer or sponsor a wrap fee program.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
As of December 31, 2024, our firm had $106,907,590 in assets under discretionary management.
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
Compensation for Our Advisory Services
The Firm has Legacy Clients who receive services under agreements with fees no longer on offer by
the Firm.
Comprehensive Portfolio Management, Percentage of Assets Charged:
Unless otherwise agreed on with you, on an annualized basis, our firm’s fees for our Comprehensive
Portfolio Management service are as follows:
Annual Fee As % of Assets
Annual Percentage of Assets Charge
1.50%
1.00%
0.75%
Assets Under Management
Up to $1,000,000.00
Additional Amounts from:
$1,000,000.01 to $10,000,000.00
Additional Amounts:
Above $10,000,000.00
Our firm’s fees are billed on a pro-rata annualized basis quarterly in advance based on the value of a
client’s account on the last day of the previous quarter as determined by an independent qualified
custodian. For the first period of time that an account exists, which is almost always a fraction of a
calendar quarter, that time period will be billed retroactively rather than in advance, using the
account value from when an account is first fully funded, or using the account value from the end of
the quarter in which the account is fully funded, at our discretion, and prorated based upon the
number of days in that first period of time. The start date is determined as follows:
i.
ii.
If an account is established as part of our initial working relationship, the date the client
enters into a Master Services Agreement with us is used as the start date or a later date,
at our discretion.
If an account is established to be under our management subsequent to the starting
period of our working relationship, the start date for that account is the date that the
paperwork is signed that notifies the custodian of our authority. If such an account is not
with our custodian, we shall use the date that you granted us authority in any written
means, which may be by email, or a later date, at our discretion.
Please note that clients may not assign accounts to our authority before an agreement is executed. If
a client inadvertently does assign accounts to us too soon, fees shall not begin before a contract is
executed.
Our firm’s fees will be automatically deducted from client’s managed account(s) held by custodians
with whom we have a direct relationship. Direct billing will only be available for accounts that are
held by custodians that do not permit deductions. For avoidance of doubt, margin balances are
disregarded.
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
If at any point we manage accounts where direct billing is necessary, invoices will be sent via email
only (subject to an email opt-out provision, detailed in client agreements). Amounts not paid within
30 days will be subject to 1.5% per month interest from date of invoice. We may amend these late
payment terms with thirty days’ notice, with notification via email or otherwise.
Except as provided in the following sentence, client accounts are also subject to a minimum quarterly
fee of $8,750, which is equivalent to our standard percentage fee applied to an account of $3,000,000.
Client accounts that start with or move to having a partner-level resource (e.g., our Managing Partner,
Thomas Gerson) as their primary advisor are, instead, subject to a higher minimum quarterly fee of
$13,750, which is equivalent to our standard percentage fee applied to an account of $5,000,000,
where such minimum is not automatically reduced if subsequently a non-partner-level resource is
able to serve as primary advisor. The definition of “primary advisor” is at our discretion.
When comprehensive portfolio management clients request, and we agree, we will facilitate and
provide formal (written) financial modeling and/or planning. For this financial modeling/planning,
the fee for the first twenty (20) hours of this service will be deferred until the end of the twelfth
month following provision of planning services and, if such payment does not become due by such
date, it shall be waived. Fees for services exceeding twenty (20) hours are not deferred and are
charged at the hourly rate in effect at that time service is provided for the individual providing the
service. If a client ceases to remain a client for such twelve-month period, any deferred fee shall
become due and is not waived and will be charged in full, based on our hourly rate in force at the time
and the time we spent on the client’s planning, whether completed or not, payable within 30 days or
debited against any pro-rata refund due, or a combination.
For complex situations, such as international clients, we may not have a maximum percentage fee
and instead will have a negotiated fee. We may also increase your minimum fee in the future,
pursuant to our regular process for changing fees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we may, at our
discretion, agree to a lower fee for some of our clients, and we and our international or other clients
with complex circumstances may agree to a greater fee.
Account deposits of more than $100,000 can increase the complexity of our work and will result in
an incremental fee, at our rates above, for the immediate fractional quarter rather than waiting to
impact fees until the start of the next quarter. Any such incremental fee shall be based on the deposit
amount for that initial fractional quarter. Any such incremental fee will be due immediately at the
beginning of the next quarter, when fees are generally paid in advance. In this fashion fees are still
only collected once a quarter.
Various additional fees may apply for financial planning. For the avoidance of doubt, planning is only
available to clients of our Comprehensive Portfolio Management Service.
When financial plans include planning for assets of any type not under our management (investment
portfolio, pension plans, art, investment real estate, or anything else besides your primary home), all
planning hours more than the initial twelve (12) hours are immediately billable at our applicable
hourly rates. Further, the initial twelve (12) hours may become billable in the event of termination.
If investment portfolio assets not under our management are more than 25% of the amount of assets
that are under our management, then we will also bill for the initial twelve (12) hours (i.e., in the case
where we are managing less than 80% of a client’s investment assets, all planning activity is billable,
with none of it “deferred” or complimentary).
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
For all financial planning work, there will be a per hour handling charge for scanning, organizing, and
shredding of any hard copy materials sent to us to aid in planning at our applicable “clerical” rate;
materials sent to us electronically will have no such charge; hard copy materials will be destroyed
rather than returned.
Additional fees may also apply for complex planning, or for planning multiple scenarios.
For any additional formal written planning (for example, not “on schedule” for a client’s asset level
with us), there are several constraints: such planning is (a) subject to resource availability, (b) subject
to a minimum project size of fifteen hours (15) hours; and (c) payment for minimum project size will
be due before work begins.
Up to $9,000 of any planning fees may be deducted directly from your accounts if feasible, and
additionally we may carry up to another $9,000 forward for one additional quarter, to be directly
deducted from your account. These fees may be negotiable at the discretion of the firm.
We reserve the right to decline to perform “complex” planning. If outside attorneys or accountants
(or unusual experts) are required to be involved, those costs are to be paid be clients at cost, and in
most cases paid directly by clients; attorneys and accountants (or unusual experts) will only be
engaged with client approval. In the course of financial planning, we may provide recommendations
that can or should be implemented through third parties.
As part of our firm’s overall billing process, clients understand the following:
An independent custodian sends statements at least quarterly to clients showing the market values
for each security included in the Assets and all disbursements in client accounts including the amount
of the advisory fees paid to us. Clients provide authorization permitting us to be directly paid in
accordance with these terms, including deducting our advisory fees from the account held with the
custodian.
We may modify any aspect of our fees effective at any time one year or more after a client enters into
a Master Services Agreement with us, with thirty days’ notice, with notification via email or
otherwise.
Comprehensive Portfolio Management, Financial Planning Hourly Rates:
Our hourly rate for financial planning is in the chart below in the column labeled “Planning” for all
planning staff or contractors; wealth managers; other skilled titles that may arise in our business,
except for our Managing Partner, for whom it is up to double. This rate applies to the preponderance
of tasks.
Our hourly rate for clerical-only staff is in the chart below in the column labeled “Clerical.” The main
tasks that this rate would apply to would be the scanning and basic handling of any incoming paper
documents.
We may track efforts in 15-minute increments, rounding up, or we may use smaller increments, at
our discretion.
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
Calendar Year
Clerical Rate
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
Hourly Rates
Planning Rate
(up to double this amount
for Managing Partner)
$401
$417
$440
$465
$495
$525
$180
$200
$200
$220
$220
$240
We reserve the right to charge less than the above rates if we wish.
Appointment cancelation policy
Clients who cancel or reschedule an appointment with less than two full business days of notice for
an appointment more than once in any rolling twelve-month period may be charged one-and-a-half
hours of time for all resources of the Company who were scheduled for involvement in that
appointment, whether it is a remote meeting or an in-person meeting. This cost will be added to the
next quarterly fee. The twelve-month period does not reset until there have been twelve consecutive
months without this policy being violated. An example for clarity on “two full business days” would
be that a Tuesday 2pm appointment would need to be canceled before 2pm on Friday. The Company
staff are highly utilized and are not responsible for reminding Clients of their appointments. Hourly
rates are listed elsewhere in this Agreement. Such a charge will be listed on a Client's billing
statement if a billing statement is required per Client's regulatory jurisdiction.
Exclusivity Expectations and Non- Exclusive Minimum Fees
BHA’s exclusivity standard exists to ensure clear accountability and fully coordinated advice. When
BHA is not serving as the exclusive advisor, it adds complexity and cost to our efforts, as we must
strive to account for outside activity that could be at cross-purposes to our efforts. While we make
an effort to remain aware of such circumstances, we cannot guarantee our effectiveness in doing so.
We expect that BHA will manage at least 90% (ninety percent) of clients’ total investment assets that
are reasonably transferable to our management, including taxable brokerage accounts, IRAs,
inherited IRAs, trust accounts, and similar accounts. For purposes of this standard, we do not count
as “investment assets” accounts like (a) current employer retirement plans that cannot be
transferred, (b) former employer retirement plans unless clients request (or we perhaps recommend
and you independently agree), (c) 529 accounts, or (d) checking accounts and other short-term-need
bank accounts. (Accounts that are within an annuity wrapper will be disclosed to us to evaluate and
to discuss with you but are also not automatically included as investment assets that we expect to
manage.)
This exclusivity standard applies to all investment assets held at the time of this agreement as well
as any new investment assets you acquire hereafter, including through inheritance, trust distribution,
business or property sale, or other means.
Clients agree to notify us within 60 days if such a change in their investment assets occurs.
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
The purpose of the 10% (ten percent) amount that is not subject to this exclusivity standard is that,
in our experience, it is important to some clients to continue doing a limited amount of personal
stock-picking or angel investing.
If, at any time, clients do not maintain this 90% threshold, their fee shifts to a 1.75% annual asset-
based fee and a $13,750 quarterly minimum, whichever is higher at the start of any given quarter.
This percentage and quarterly minimum are known as our Non-Exclusive Minimum Fees, which
clients also are free to select if they wish to operate on a non-exclusive basis with us.
All investment assets we do not manage must remain self-directed (i.e., not managed by any third-
party investment advisor or discretionary manager). For avoidance of doubt, a client who has
another third-party advisor or discretionary manager for this 10% (ten percent) would be subject to
our Non-Exclusive Minimum Fees.
Other Types of Fees & Expenses
Clients will incur transaction fees for trades executed by the custodian via individual transaction
charges. These transaction fees are separate from our firm’s advisory fees and will be disclosed by
the custodian. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) does not currently charge transaction fees for
U.S. listed equities and exchange traded funds. Clients may also pay holdings charges imposed by the
chosen custodian for certain investments, charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index fund, or
exchange traded fund, which shall be disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (i.e., fund management fees,
initial or deferred sales charges, mutual fund sales loads, 12b-1 fees, surrender charges, variable
annuity fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, and other fund expenses), mark-ups and mark-
downs, spreads paid to market makers, fees for trades executed away from custodian, wire transfer
fees and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. Our firm does not
receive a portion of these fees.
Termination & Refunds
Either party may terminate our Agreement in writing at any time. Upon receipt of notice of
termination, our firm will process a pro-rata refund of the unearned portion of the advisory fees
charged in advance at the beginning of the quarter. We retain the right to provide up to thirty days’
notice of termination if we believe it would be mutually beneficial. If our work together continues in
such an up-to-thirty-day notice period, a pro-rata refund is issued instead at the end of our time
working together and adjusted accordingly.
If we or a client terminate our working relationship within 12 months of any formal planning,
planning will be charged in full, based on our hourly rate in force at the time and the time we spent
on the client’s planning, whether completed or not, payable within 30 days or debited against any
pro-rata refund due, or a combination.
When services are terminated, we will deliver any usable sections of any financial planning, analysis
or other work product that is complete. If work product is not in a reliable state (e.g., not validated
or lacking input or work), we may determine in our sole discretion not to deliver it to avoid
inappropriate reliance on it. If payment is due for such work, we will refrain from delivering until
paid in full.
Commissionable Securities Sales
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
Our firm and representatives do not sell securities for a commission in advisory accounts.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management
Our firm does not charge performance-based fees.
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
We have or may have the following types of clients:
•
Individuals and High Net Worth Individuals
• Trusts, Estates or Charitable Organizations
• Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and/or Other Business Types
Our requirements for opening and maintaining accounts or otherwise engaging us:
• We require an account balance of $5,000,000 for our Comprehensive Portfolio Management
for retired clients new to our firm. We require an account balance of $3,000,000 for
individuals and families in the accumulation stage. This minimum account balance is
negotiable at the discretion of our firm. A minimum fee will apply as outlined in Item 5 of this
brochure.
• Clients who do not maintain 90% or more of their investment assets, as outlined in Item 5 of
this brochure, are subject to the Firm’s Non-Exclusive Minimum Fees, also outlined in Item of
this brochure. .
• Usually we work as a client’s only advisory firm, in order to maximize our benefit to clients,
and any investment assets we do not manage must remain self-directed, as outlined in Item
5 of this brochure.
• We reserve the right to decline to work with any client for any reason.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
Generally, Blair Hall Advisors uses a variety of analytical methods to assist with its security,
investments, and markets analysis. Such methods employed by us may include:
1. Technical analysis for short-term market analysis. This type of analysis focuses on studying
trends in price movements, with the aim of ascertaining short-term price changes. Please see
“RISK OF LOSS” discussion, below.
2. Quantitative and fundamental analysis for long-term security and investment analysis. This
type of analysis focuses on studying the underlying value of securities compared to their
current market prices, with the aim of ascertaining disparities between current prices and
long-term value. Please see “RISK OF LOSS” discussion, below.
The main sources of information include Morningstar, Google Finance, fund prospectuses, various
online and written economic reports, financial newspapers, and other public and proprietary
research materials.
Investment Strategies We Use
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
The investment strategies we may pursue on behalf of clients may include long- and short-term
purchases, short-term trading, option writing or purchasing (including covered options, uncovered
options or spreading strategies), margin transactions, and other strategies depending on the
particular needs and objectives of the client. We may also pursue the use of so-called alternative
investments, such as hedge funds and private equity. Please see “RISK OF LOSS” discussion, just
below.
We generally invest client’s cash balances in money market funds, FDIC Insured Certificates of
Deposit, high-grade commercial paper or government backed debt instruments or a default cash
option of our custodian’s choosing. Ultimately, we try to achieve an appropriate return on our client’s
cash balances through relatively low risk and conservative investments. In most cases, at least a
small percentage cash balance will be maintained in a money market account or a default cash option
of our custodian’s choosing so that our firm may debit advisory fees for our services related to our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management service and because it facilitates smooth trading on clients’
behalf.
The SMAs used by our firm offer a way to combine academically informed investment approaches
and a level of personalization for our clients. Our firm can tailor select strategies to better fit our
client’s financial goals, preferences, and values, be it for environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
preferences, tax management strategy, individual stock and sector holdings, and more.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities or other investments involves a significant risk of loss which clients
should be prepared to bear. Blair Hall Advisors’ investment recommendations are subject to
various market, currency, economic, political and business risks, and such investment decisions
may not always be profitable. Clients should be aware that there may be a loss or depreciation to
the value of the client’s account. There can be no assurance that the client’s investment
objectives will be obtained and no inference to the contrary should be made. The risks involved
in the securities and investments recommended by Blair Hall Advisors may include, among
others:
•
• Stock (or bond) market risk, which is the chance that stock (or bond) prices overall will
decline. Stock (or bond) markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices
and periods of falling prices. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility
than fixed income securities.
Issuer risk, which is the risk that the value of a security may decline for reasons directly
related to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage, and reduced
demand for the issuer's goods or services.
• Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) risk, which is the risk of an investment in an ETF, including
the possible loss of principal. ETFs typically trade on a securities exchange and the prices
of their shares fluctuate throughout the day based on supply and demand, which may
not correlate to their net asset values. Although ETF shares will be listed on an exchange,
there can be no guarantee that an active trading market will develop or continue.
Owning an ETF generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities it is
designed to track. ETFs are also subject to secondary market trading risks. In addition,
an ETF may not replicate exactly the performance of the index it seeks to track for a
number of reasons, including transaction costs incurred by the ETF, the temporary
unavailability of certain securities in the secondary market, or discrepancies between
the ETF and the index with respect to weighting of securities or number of securities
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
held.
• Non-diversification risk, which is the risk of focusing investments in a small number of
issuers, industries or foreign currencies, including being more susceptible to risks
associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more
diversified portfolio might be.
• Style risk, which is the risk that the use of a particular investing style (such as growth or
value investing) may fall out of favor or may not produce the best results over short or
longer time periods. Different investment styles tend to shift in and out of favor
depending upon market and economic conditions and investor sentiment. To the extent
that a Blair Hall Advisors portfolio favors a particular investment style, it may
underperform other portfolios that invest in similar asset classes but employ different
investment styles, or if the style it favors underperforms the overall market.
• Foreign (non-U.S.) investment risk, which is the risk that investing in foreign securities
may result in the portfolio experiencing more rapid and extreme changes in value than a
portfolio that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies. Investments in
emerging markets are generally more volatile than investments in developed foreign
markets.
•
• Short sale risk, which is the risk of entering into short sales, including the potential loss
of more money than the actual cost of the investment, and the risk that the third party
to the short sale may fail to honor its contract terms, resulting in a loss.
Interest rate risk, which is the chance that bond prices overall will decline because of
rising interest rates. Similarly, the income from bonds or other debt instruments may
decline because of falling interest rates.
• Credit risk, which is the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal
in a timely manner, or that negative perceptions of the issuer’s ability to make such
payments will cause the price of that bond to decline.
• Smaller company risk, which is the risk that the value of securities issued by a smaller
company may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably as compared to
more widely held securities. Investments in smaller companies are subject to greater
levels of credit, market and issuer risk.
• Options risk, which is the risk that options may be subject to greater fluctuations in value
than an investment in the underlying securities. Options and other derivatives may be
subject to counterparty risk and may also be illiquid and more difficult to value.
Purchasing and writing put and call options are highly specialized activities and entail
greater than ordinary investment risks.
• Margin trading risk, which is the risk of purchasing securities on margin. Margin trading
involves interest charges and risks, including but not limited to the potential to lose
more than deposited or the need to deposit additional collateral in a falling market and
the incurrence of margin interest debt. Margin borrowing adds risk to an investment
and is not suitable for all investors.
• Management risk, which is the risk that the investment techniques and risk analyses
applied by Blair Hall Advisors will produce the desired results and that legislative,
regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investment techniques available to us.
There is no guarantee that a client’s investment objectives will be achieved.
• Frequent trading can affect investment performance, particularly through increased
brokerage and other transaction costs and taxes.
Please note, all investing involves the risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
While markets and alternative investments may increase and your account(s) could enjoy
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
a gain, it is also possible that the inverse may occur, and your account(s) could suffer a
loss. It is important that you understand the risks associated with investing and are
appropriately diversified in your investments. Please feel free to ask us any questions you
may have.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events that are material to the evaluation of our advisory business
or the integrity of our management.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
A representative of our firm, Joao Correia, is registered with more than one Registered Investment
Advisor (“RIA”) firm. As such, a conflict of interest may arise because of his being an IAR for multiple
RIAs. To mitigate this conflict, Mr. Correia, as a fiduciary, will act in the client’s best interest.
Furthermore, any services that may be offered through the outside RIAs will remain separate from
our firm’s advisory services and are governed under a separate agreement.
Our firm is not registered, nor does it have an application pending to register, as a broker-dealer,
registered representative of a broker dealer, investment company or pooled investment vehicle,
other investment adviser or financial planner, futures commission merchant, commodity pool
operator, commodity trading advisor, banking or thrift institution, accountant or accounting firm,
lawyer or law firm, insurance company or agency, pension consultant, real estate broker or dealer or
a sponsor or syndicator of limited partnership, or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
Please see Item 4 for more information regarding our firm’s selection of third-party managers.
When in the client’s best interest, our firm will recommend select sub-advisory services. Prior to
recommending third-party managers, our firm will ensure that the third-party manager is properly
licensed or registered with the respective authorities.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in
Client Transactions & Personal Trading
We recognize that the personal investment transactions of members and employees of our firm demand
the application of a high code of ethics and require that all such transactions be carried out in a way that
does not endanger the interest of any client. At the same time, we believe that if investment goals are
similar for clients and for members and employees of our firm, it is logical and even desirable that there
be common ownership of some securities.
Therefore, to prevent conflicts of interest, we have in place a set of procedures (including a pre- clearing
procedure) with respect to transactions effected by our members, officers and employees for their
personal accounts. To monitor compliance with our personal trading policy, we have a quarterly
securities transaction reporting system for all our associates.
Furthermore, our firm has established a Code of Ethics which applies to all our associated persons. An
investment adviser is considered a fiduciary. As a fiduciary, it is an investment adviser’s responsibility
to provide fair and full disclosure of all material facts and to act solely in the best interest of each of our
clients at all times. We have a fiduciary duty to all clients.
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
Our fiduciary duty is considered the core underlying principle for our Code of Ethics which also includes
Insider Trading and Personal Securities Transactions Policies and Procedures. We require all our
supervised persons to conduct business with the highest level of ethical standards and to comply with
all federal and state securities laws at all times. Upon employment or affiliation and at least annually
thereafter, all supervised persons will sign an acknowledgement that they have read, understand, and
agree to comply with our Code of Ethics. Our firm and supervised persons must conduct business in an
honest, ethical, and fair manner and avoid all circumstances that might negatively affect or appear to
affect our duty of complete loyalty to all clients. This disclosure is provided to give all clients a summary
of our Code of Ethics. However, if a client or a potential client wishes to review our Code of Ethics in its
entirety, a copy will be provided promptly upon request.
Neither our firm nor a related person recommends to clients, or buys or sells for client accounts,
securities or other investments in which our firm or a related person has a material financial interest.
Related persons of our firm may buy or sell securities and other investments that are also recommended
to clients. To minimize this conflict of interest, our related persons will place client interests ahead of
their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics, a copy of which is available upon request.
Further, in accordance with standard “front running” guidelines, no related persons may enter an
order to purchase or sell any security prior to a transaction of the same security being implemented
for client’s accounts on the same day. Our firm’s CCO will review and may approve exceptions on a
case-by-case basis if it is determined that the trading activity does not violate our firm’s fiduciary
duty. Instances in which exemptions may be granted may include (but are not limited to):
• A related person executes a transaction before a client solicits a trade in the same security.
• A related person participates in a block trade alongside client accounts; or
• A related person without access to another investment advisor at our firm’s trading activity
executes a transaction in the same security as the investment advisor’s advisory client.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting a Brokerage Firm
We seek to recommend a custodian/broker-dealer that will hold your assets and execute
transactions on terms that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available
providers and their services. We consider a wide range of factors in selecting or recommending
broker-dealers, including, among others, these:
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of trading intentions
• Timeliness of execution
• Timeliness and accuracy of trade confirmations
• Liquidity of the securities traded
• Willingness to commit capital
• Ability to place trades in difficult market environments
• Research services provided
• Ability to provide investment ideas
• Execution facilitation services provided
• Record keeping services provided
• Custody services provided
• Frequency and correction of trading errors
• Ability to access a variety of market venues
• Expertise as it relates to specific securities
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
• Financial condition
• Business reputation
With this in consideration, our firm has arrangements with the Schwab Institutional division of
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) and Interactive Brokers, Inc. Both companies offer
independent investment advisers non-soft dollar services which include custody of securities, trade
execution, clearance and settlement of transactions.
Schwab and Interactive Brokers may make certain research and brokerage services available at no
additional cost to our firm. These services may be directly from independent research companies, as
selected by our firm (within specific parameters).
Research products and services provided by Schwab or Interactive Brokers may include: research
reports or other information about particular companies or industries; economic surveys, data and
analyses; financial publications; portfolio evaluation services; financial database software and
services; computerized news and pricing services; quotation equipment for use in running software
used in investment decision-making; and other products or services that provide lawful and
appropriate assistance by Schwab and Interactive Brokers to our firm in the performance of our
investment decision-making responsibilities.
We do not use client brokerage commissions to obtain research or other products or services. The
aforementioned research and brokerage services are used by our firm to manage accounts for which
we have investment discretion. Without this arrangement, our firm might be compelled to purchase
the same or similar services at our own expense.
We may have an incentive to continue to use or expand the use of Schwab’s and Interactive Brokers’
services. Our firm examined this potential conflict of interest when we chose to enter into the
relationship with Schwab and we have determined that the relationship is in the best interest of our
firm’s clients and satisfies our fiduciary obligations, including our duty to seek best execution.
Schwab and Interactive Brokers charge brokerage commissions and transaction fees for effecting
certain securities transactions (i.e., transaction fees are charged for certain no-load mutual funds,
commissions are charged for individual equity and debt securities transactions). Schwab enables us
to obtain many no-load mutual funds without transaction charges and other no-load funds at nominal
transaction charges. Schwab commission rates are generally discounted from customary retail
commission rates. However, the commission and transaction fees charged by Schwab may be higher
or lower than those charged by other custodians and broker-dealers.
Our clients may pay a commission to Schwab or Interactive Brokers that is higher than another
qualified broker dealer might charge to effect the same transaction where we determine in good faith
that the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
received. In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but
whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full
range of a broker-dealer’s services, including the value of research provided, execution capability,
commission rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although we will seek competitive rates, to the
benefit of all clients, we may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific
client account transactions.
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
We do not receive soft dollars generated by the securities transactions of our clients. The term "soft
dollars" refers to funds which are generated by client trades “commission rebates or credits” being
used by our firm to purchase products or services (such as research and enhanced brokerage
services) from or through Schwab or Interactive Brokers to execute securities transactions. The non-
soft dollar investment research products and services that may be obtained by our firm will generally
be used to service all of our clients. A brokerage commission paid by a specific client may be used to
pay for research that is not used in managing that specific client’s account.
Our firm, however, does receive some “eligible” products and services under the safe harbor
provision under the Securities and Exchange Act, Section 28(e). These products and services include:
educational events; professional compliance; legal and business consulting; publications and
conferences on practice management; information technology; business succession; employee
benefits providers; human capital consultants; insurance; and marketing. In addition, Schwab or
Interactive Brokers may make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services
rendered to our firm by independent third parties. Schwab or Interactive Brokers may discount or
waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a
third-party providing these services to our firm. While, as a fiduciary, our firm endeavors to act in its
clients’ best interests, our firm’s recommendation of Schwab or Interactive Brokers may be based in
part on the benefit we receive as described above and not solely on the nature, cost, or quality of
custody and brokerage services provided by broker-dealers, which may create a potential conflict of
interest.
As a result of receiving such “eligible” products and services for no cost, we may have an incentive to
continue to place client trades through Schwab or Interactive Brokers for offering those products and
services. This interest conflicts with the clients' interest of obtaining the lowest commission rate
available. Therefore, we must determine in good faith, that such commissions are reasonable in
relation to the value of the services provided by such executing broker-dealer. Our firm examined
this potential conflict of interest when we chose to enter into the relationship with Schwab or
Interactive Brokers and we have determined that the relationship is in the best interest of our firm’s
clients and satisfies our client obligations, including our duty to seek best execution. Further, we
continually keep this conflict in mind as we are continually considering our business arrangements.
We perform investment management services for various clients. There are occasions on which
portfolio transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the
same security for numerous accounts served by our firm, which involve accounts with similar
investment objectives. Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either
advantageous or disadvantageous to any one or more particular accounts, they are affected only
when we believe that to do so will be in the best interest of the effected accounts. When such
concurrent authorizations occur, the objective is to allocate the executions in a manner which is
deemed equitable to the accounts involved. In any given situation, we attempt to allocate trade
executions in the most equitable manner possible, taking into consideration client objectives, current
asset allocation and availability of funds using price averaging, proration and consistently non-
arbitrary methods of allocation.
Our firm does not receive brokerage services for client referrals.
We do not permit clients to direct brokerage.
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Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
Thomas Gerson, Chief Compliance Officer, reviews accounts on at least a quarterly basis for our
clients subscribing to our Comprehensive Portfolio Management service unless a client’s balance is
below $250,000, in which case account reviews may be performed annually rather than quarterly,
unless more frequent reviews are warranted due to changes in financial circumstances, specific client
requests, or adviser discretion. In all cases, the nature of these reviews is to learn whether clients’
accounts are in line with their investment objectives, appropriately positioned based on market
conditions, and investment policies, if applicable.
Our firm may review client accounts more frequently than described above. Among the factors which
may trigger an off-cycle review are major market or economic events, the client’s life events, requests
by the client, etc.
We do not provide written reports to clients, unless asked to do so or we feel it is necessary to aid
decision-making. Oral reports to clients take place on at least an annual basis when we contact our
clients.
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
We receive an economic benefit from Schwab in the form of the support products and services it
makes available to us and other independent investment advisors that have their clients maintain
accounts at Schwab. These products and services, how they benefit us, and the related conflicts of
interest are described above (see Item 12 – Brokerage Practices). The availability to us of Schwab’s
products and services is not based on us giving particular investment advice, such as buying
particular securities for our clients.
Referral Fees
Our firm does not pay referral fees (non-commission based) to independent solicitors (non-
registered representatives) for the referral of their clients to our firm in accordance with relevant
state statutes and rules.
Item 15: Custody
Deduction of Advisory Fees:
Our firm does not maintain custody of client funds. When the firm directly deducts clients’ fees,
regulators recognize this practice as conveying upon the firm constructive custody. As such, our firm
has adopted the following safeguarding procedures:
a) Clients must provide our firm with written authorization permitting direct payment of
advisory fees from their account(s) maintained by a custodian who is independent of our
firm;
b) The account custodian sends a statement to all clients, at least quarterly, showing all account
disbursements, including advisory fees.
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Blair Hall Advisors, LLC
An independent custodian sends statements at least quarterly to clients showing the market values
for each security included in the Assets and all disbursements in client accounts including the amount
of the advisory fees paid to our firm, and we encourage clients to review these statements for
accuracy. Additionally, the client understands that they provide authorization permitting our firm to
be directly paid in accordance with these terms, including deducting our advisory fees from the
account held with their independent custodian.
Clients are encouraged to raise any questions with us about the custody, safety or security of their
assets and our custodial recommendations.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing our firm with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to
an executed investment advisory client agreement. By granting investment discretion, our firm is
authorized to execute securities transactions, determine which securities are bought and sold, and
the total amount to be bought and sold, and the costs at which transactions will be effected. Should
clients grant our firm non-discretionary authority, our firm would be required to obtain the client’s
permission prior to effecting securities transactions.
Limitations may be imposed by the client in the form of specific constraints on any of these areas of
discretion with our firm’s written acknowledgement.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Our firm does not accept the proxy authority to vote client securities. Clients will receive proxies or
other solicitations directly from their custodian or a transfer agent. In the event that proxies are sent
to our firm, our firm will forward them to the appropriate client and ask the party who sent them to
mail them directly to the client in the future. Clients may call, write or email us to discuss questions
they may have about particular proxy votes or other solicitations.
Item 18: Financial Information
Inclusion of a Balance Sheet
Our firm does not require nor is prepayment solicited for more than $1,200 in fees per client, 6
months or more in advance. Therefore, our firm has not included a balance sheet for our most recent
fiscal year.
Disclosure of Financial Condition
Our firm has nothing to disclose in this regard.
Bankruptcy Petition
Our firm has never been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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