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Item 1. Cover Page
PART 2A of FORM ADV
For
Highline Wealth Partners LLC
CRD Number: 284712
15260 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 855
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Phone: (818) 340-0157
Facsimile: (818) 702-8851
www.highlinewp.com
February 26, 2026
Jonathan Rugg, CFA, President
Email: jrugg@highlinewp.com
Lisa Sternberg, MBA, COO, CCO
Email: lisa@highlinewp.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Highline
Wealth Partners LLC (“Highline” or “HWP”). If you have any questions about the contents of
this brochure, please contact us at (818) 340-0157. The information in this brochure has not been
approved or verified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities
authority.
Highline is a registered investment adviser. However, being a registered investment adviser does
not imply a certain level of skill or training and does not guarantee investment performance.
Additional information about Highline is also available on the SEC’s public disclosure website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching our firm name or CRD Number: 284712.
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Item 2. Material Changes
This Brochure is dated February 26, 2026. This section will point out material changes to this
document since the last published version, which was dated February 28, 2025.
The following material changes were made:
Item 4: Advisory Business.
Highline Wealth Partners (“HWP”) has entered into a services agreement to provide
limited back-office, administrative, technology, and strategic support services to select
consultants for a fee. More information about this added service can be found under Item
4 of this brochure, described as “Enterprise Support Services”.
Item 5: Fees and Compensation.
HWP recently added Enterprise Support Services’ fee structure for those services to this
brochure. The detail of this service fee structure can be found under Item 5 of this brochure.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations.
HWP’s parent company, Highline Holdings, Inc. (“HHI”) has created two companies
which represent other financial industry affiliations: (1) Highline Ventures 1, LLC, and
(2) Oak Park Real Estate Advisors LLC. These companies are sponsors to private funds
and are under common ownership with HWP. You can find more information about these
affiliations and their conflicts of interest under Item 10 in this Brochure.
These changes have also been made in our Form ADV Part 1 annual filing. You can obtain
a copy of our recent filing here: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/284712.
There have been no other material changes since the last published brochure.
Please feel free to contact Lisa Sternberg if you have any questions about this Brochure or it’s
updates. Ms. Sternberg can be reached at (818) 340-0157 or lisa@highlinewp.com.
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Item 3.
Table of Contents
Item 1. Cover page
Item 2. Material Changes ............................................................................................................... 2
Item 3. Table of Contents ............................................................................................................... 3
Item 4. Advisory Business ............................................................................................................. 4
A. Description of Firm ............................................................................................................. 4
B.
Types of Advisory Services Offered ................................................................................... 4
Item 5. Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................... 12
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management .............................................. 15
Item 7. Types of Clients ............................................................................................................... 15
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss .......................................... 16
Item 9. Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................. 24
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ..................................................... 25
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading 27
Item 12. Brokerage Practices ....................................................................................................... 28
Item 13. Review of Accounts ....................................................................................................... 31
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation ..................................................................... 32
A. Economic Benefits Received ............................................................................................ 32
B. Client Referrals ................................................................................................................. 32
Item 15. Custody and Client Communications ............................................................................ 33
Item 16. Investment Discretion .................................................................................................... 34
Item 17. Voting Client Securities’ Proxies .................................................................................. 34
Item 18. Financial Information .................................................................................................... 35
Client Privacy Policy Notice ...................................................................................................... 36
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan – Client Disclosure Notice ........................... 39
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Item 4. Advisory Business
Firm Overview
A. Description of Firm
Highline Wealth Partners (“Highline”) is a Los Angeles, California-based investment advisory
firm, founded in 1976 under the name of Charlesworth & Rugg, Inc., now known as Highline
Wealth Partners LLC (“Highline”). Highline offers financial planning and investment
management services to individuals, high net worth individuals, trusts, estates, foundations,
pension and profit-sharing plans, and various business entities like corporations, partnerships,
nonprofits, and limited liability companies.
Highline Wealth Partners is wholly owned by Highline Holdings, Inc. (“HHI”). President Jonathan
Rugg, CFA wholly owns HHI and also serves as its President.
Highline is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) and conducts business in states where Highline is either “notice filed” or exempt from
registering or notice filing. Our registration and notice filing status can be found in Part 1 of the
Firm’s Form ADV, a copy of which can be found on www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
B. Types of Advisory Services Offered
Highline provides advice to clients with respect to the purchase and sale of no-load and/or load-
waived mutual funds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), interval funds, closed end funds, individual
bonds, individual stocks, new client’s existing securities, or any other investments deemed
appropriate by the investment committee (collectively, the “Investments”). Additionally, Highline
provides information on certain less liquid, alternative investment vehicles for investors who meet
the regulatory qualifying requirements for investment in those strategies. This mandate is captured
in the Firm’s Investor Services, Private Wealth Management, and Family Office services
(collectively referred to as the “Individual Services”).
Additionally, the Firm offers Financial Planning Services which can be a stand-alone consulting
service or a complement to any of the Individual Services. This service includes an in-depth
analysis of a client’s financial and life objectives, current financial position, financial strengths
and weaknesses, and various financial planning components agreed upon by the client and advisor.
These components include investment planning, estate planning, retirement planning, education
planning, income tax planning and risk management planning activities.
Highline also offers corporate consulting services called “Corporate Services.” This service
provides advice and recommendations to business owners with respect to 401(k) and other ERISA
retirement plan sponsors, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, stock option plans, executive
financial planning, and other risk management, corporate benefits, or tax strategies. This service
does not provide personal investment advice to individual plan participants within the plans offered
by the plan sponsor.
Across all Individual Services, Highline is given limited authority to direct a custodian designated
by the client, normally a discount brokerage firm, bank trust department, or trust company, to
invest client assets into securities which we select. In some cases, clients give us limited
investment authority to allocate assets under our advisement or management among funds in one
or more specific fund families. Finally, a client within the Individual Services may engage us to
the client approving
provide
investment advice on a non-discretionary basis, with
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recommendations, or implementing or directing all investment decisions for the account
themselves.
For all Individual Services, our goal is to help achieve the client stated investment objective(s) of
each client.
Client portfolios are monitored, and transactions are implemented in accordance with the
previously determined suitability, risk tolerance, and investment objective(s) of each client. We
ask clients within these programs to provide us with important background information such as
the additional assets and investments they may own as well as other relevant financial, personal
and family circumstances. On occasion, clients within any program may impose restrictions on the
purchase or sale of certain securities. We rely upon written (or certain verified electronic)
notification from clients whenever important changes occur in this background information, or
with any restrictions placed on the purchase or sale of certain securities.
For Corporate Services, Highline typically recommends to the company plan sponsor a list of
mutual funds and model portfolios for inclusion within the plan for all qualified and non-qualified
plans. After obtaining the plan sponsor’s approval, the Firm may then direct the plan record-
keeper to implement the recommendations by making this pre-approved list of funds and model
portfolios available to plan participants. Within this program, our goal is to assist the plan sponsor
by providing a comprehensive list of investment options that is made available to the individual
plan participants. This advice is tailored to each Corporate Services client in accordance with the
Investor Policy Statement, which is jointly agreed upon by both the client and Highline. Clients
within Corporate Services may impose restrictions on the selection of certain securities.
Highline offers ten (10) different investment advisory services:
Investor Services (Investment Management)
Private Wealth Management
Family Office Services
Corporate Services
Real Estate Investment Advisory Services
Cash Management Services
Pontera Account Services
Financial Planning Services
Enterprise Support Services, and
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10) Consulting Services
The first five services are overseen by the Investment Committee, which evaluates the investments,
general economic and investment conditions, and specific research goals and objectives. The
committee is currently composed of four voting members – Jonathan Rugg, CFA, Shawn Hsieh,
CFP, CFA, Hugh Meyer, and Rich Barnett, CFA, CAIA (collectively, the “Investment
Committee”). Each member contributes their own research, analysis, and judgment with the goal
of enhancing Highline’s investment decision making process. While a unanimous decision is not
required by the committee, the process often results in general consensus and agreement among
the members. The Committee’s recommendations and ideas are intended to assist in the final
decisions for the Firm’s investment programs. An Investment Committee meeting may be called
by any voting member with at least one day’s notice to the other members. These meetings may
occur via a conference call or video conference.
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Financial Planning Services operates in accordance with Highline’s Financial Planning Agreement
and our compliance policies and procedures. Plans and other work products produced within this
line of business are supervised by Ms. Jamie Rugg, Certified Financial Planner™ and financial
planning practitioner.
(1) Investor Services (Investment Management)
Through Investor Services, Highline provides investment management services to clients. Investor
Services consists of custom portfolios tailored to meet the specific investment objectives of each
client. We may select any mutual fund, ETF, or other investment for inclusion into client
portfolios. Clients choose from one of seven investment objectives according to their willingness
and ability to bear risk. Clients within the same investment objective will seldom, if ever, have the
exact same funds in the same proportions. However, clients within the same investment objective
will have very similar, and possibly identical, funds and very similar, and possibly identical, fund
allocations. If restrictions have been placed on any account, the funds selected, and the asset
allocations may differ substantially. The Firm’s seven investment objectives are listed and
described further in Item 8 of this Brochure.
Correspondence and reports are delivered electronically to all clients within Investor Services. In
addition, there may be telephonic meetings rather than in-person meetings for clients within
Investor Services. If clients have questions regarding their account(s), they may call the office.
The initial minimum account size for the Investor Services is $500,000. We may make exceptions
to this, at our discretion, if the newly established accounts have the potential to exceed these
amounts within a reasonable period due to additional contributions.
All final asset allocation, timing, and investment selection decisions and recommendations are
made by the Investment Committee.
(2) Private Wealth Management
Private Wealth Management provides investment management services combined with full
financial planning and advanced estate planning strategies to clients. Like Investor Services,
Private Wealth Management normally consists of custom portfolios tailored to meet the specific
investment objectives of each client.
Private Wealth Management also may access less liquid, more speculative alternative investment
vehicles which are not available to Investor Services clients. These decisions are made after going
through a rigorous planning and due diligence process to validate that these investments are a
suitable option for clients. In instances where a client is interested in such alternative investments,
Highline will ensure such clients are accredited investors and/or qualified purchasers as those
terms are defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 205-3 of the
Investment Advisers Act, respectively.
All final asset allocation, timing, and investment selection decisions and recommendations are
made by the Investment Committee.
The initial minimum account size for Private Wealth Management is $1,000,000. We can make
exceptions to this, at our discretion, if the newly established accounts have the potential to exceed
these amounts within a reasonable period due to additional contributions.
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(3) Family Office Services
Highline provides a line of business called Family Office Services. These services are geared
towards growing wealth and preserving it for generations to come. These advanced planning
strategies may range from cash flow management to advanced tax and estate strategies to educating
younger generations on financial matters.
Clients within our Family Office Services have access to all Investor Services and Private Wealth
Management services plus additional investment opportunities in private equity and other types of
alternative investments. In instances where a client is interested in such alternative investments,
Highline will ensure such clients are accredited investors and/or qualified purchasers as those
terms are defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 205-3 of the
Investment Advisers Act, respectively. Highline may also perform select due diligence on family
directed private transactions for Family Office Services clients as well.
All final asset allocation, timing, and investment selection decisions and recommendations are
made by the Investment Committee.
The initial minimum account size for Family Office Services is $10,000,000. We may make
exceptions to this minimum, at our discretion, if the newly established accounts have the potential
to exceed these amounts within a reasonable period due to additional contributions.
Certain clients within Investor Services, Private Wealth Management, and Family Office Services
may ask our Firm to manage a given portfolio to achieve a specific objective without divulging
(for various reasons) their complete list of financial assets and investments or other relevant
personal or financial circumstances. These clients, like all our clients, must complete the Highline
Client Confidential Profile form. For those clients who decline to provide information regarding
their non-Highline managed portfolios, it is important to answer the questions in the Client
Confidential Profile which identify the approximate allocations of other assets not managed by
Highline. This helps the Firm better understand the suitability of the investment objective chosen
by the client with respect to their overall financial circumstances.
(4) Corporate Services
Within Corporate Services, Highline can provide any or all of the following services to corporate
clients and their employees.
A. Qualified Retirement Plans including 401(k), 403(b), 457, pension, and profit-sharing
plans.
Highline creates an investment lineup from investments located within one or several of the
following three potential categories of investment options:
1) Model Portfolios
2) Target Date Funds
3) Individual Mutual Fund Lineup
Plan participants may then select any combination of model portfolios, target date funds, or non-
target date funds depending on the investment lineup of that particular plan (from the Individual
Mutual Fund Lineup) to create their own individual portfolio.
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The platform contains a collection of pre-screened no-load and/or load-waived mutual funds.
Clients often allow their plan participants to choose a combination of mutual funds and/or model
portfolios from the above three investment categories. Thus, an individual participant may create
a portfolio that consists of any combination of model portfolios, target date funds, and non-target
date mutual funds taken from the Individual Mutual Fund Lineup. This gives plan sponsors and
participants the flexibility to create a customized portfolio based upon their personal preferences
and for participants, their willingness and ability to bear risk. However, since each plan participant
makes individual allocation decisions and fund selection decisions independent of Highline, the
Firm is not responsible for the performance of personal retirement plan portfolios created by
individual plan participants.
All investment lineup-related decisions for all retirement plans are made by the Investment
Committee.
Highline offers assistance to clients in the following areas: 1) creation of an Investment Policy
Statement 2) selection of Qualified Default Investment Alternatives (“QDIA”), 3) acting as the
3(38) ERISA fiduciary investment manager, 4) evaluating, selecting, and monitoring all
investment options offered to participants, 5) potentially managing model portfolios on behalf of
the client and plan participants if selected to do so, and 6) providing education to plan participants
during selected review meetings.
Portfolios are monitored on a regular basis and utilize the same criteria that are employed during
the initial selection of investment options. This process consists of following pre-defined
quantitative screening procedures and employing the judgment of Highline on an ongoing
basis. If, upon evaluation, an investment option continues to be acceptable, no further action is
required. If Highline determines that the option is not acceptable, removal of the investment option
may result.
To assist in this overall decision-making process, Highline utilizes a third-party research service
run by Fi360 which specializes in providing investment monitoring services for the retirement plan
industry. These reports help in the ongoing evaluation, selection, and monitoring of funds available
in the investment lineup.
Correspondence and reports are typically delivered electronically to all Corporate Services clients
(i.e. plan sponsors). In addition, there is typically an annual in-person (or virtual webinar) meeting
for clients and their plan participants.
The initial minimum account size for retirement plans within Corporate Services is $2,000,000.
We may make exceptions to this minimum account size, at our discretion, if the newly established
account has the potential to exceed this amount within a reasonable time-period due to additional
contributions.
Plan sponsors within Corporate Services must complete the Highline Corporate Client Profile. In
addition, Highline will work with the plan sponsor to create an Investor Policy Statement (“IPS”),
which is intended to assist both the plan sponsor and Highline in making investment-related
decisions and recommendations, as applicable, in a prudent manner. The IPS outlines the general
processes for the selection, monitoring, and evaluation of the investments in the plan, as well as
the monitoring of investment-related services.
Highline also assists and educates plan sponsors on fiduciary responsibilities and compliance
procedures.
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B. Executive Compensation - supports Clients by designing and implementing executive
compensation plans for the purpose of attracting, retaining, and rewarding their most
valuable asset, their employees. These Executive Compensation packages include Non-
Qualified Deferred Compensation plans and Equity Stock Plans providing comprehensive
incentives aligning the company’s success with key employees’ future compensation.
C. Risk Management Strategies - helps Clients reduce annual costs associated with employee
and customer-related settlements while preparing for catastrophic events resulting from
loss of key employees that will cause a severe strain on operations. The implementation
of these various strategies may utilize insurance-based analysis of Key Man Insurance,
Disability Insurance, Buy/Sell Insurance and General liability.
D. Tax Efficiency Strategies - explores ways to align company operations with government
sponsored programs encouraging innovation and expansion which may include Cost
Segregation analysis, Research and Development Credits, Utility Auditing, and other
business deductions.
E. Legacy Consulting - helps preserve and leverage our clients’ largest asset for future
generations in the most tax efficient manner. This service may include Buy-Sell Analysis,
Succession Planning, and Business Valuation.
(5) Real Estate Investment Advisory Services
Highline offers private real estate services to select clients which may include the following
investment opportunities:
1. Limited Partnerships.
a. Highline conducts due diligence on real estate strategies that may include the
purchase of commercial or residential real estate property or properties, real estate
loans, bridge loans, or mezzanine debt strategies, and various other real estate
strategies. These opportunities may be in the form of a Limited Partnership,
interval fund, open ended evergreen fund, or other investment structures. Once
approved by the Investment Committee, Highline will recommend these
opportunities to select clients who meet the accredited investor, qualified client, or
qualified purchaser1 requirements set by the various partnerships.
2. Direct Real Estate Investment.
a. Highline can also oversee the acquisition and management of specific commercial
properties that a client chooses to own. As part of our services, Highline directs all
aspects of the management for each property including operations, development,
financing, leasing, and capital improvements. This option allows clients to control
the buying, selling, major capital renovation, and be involved in budget decisions.
3. Real Estate Consulting.
a. Highline can also provide real estate consulting services which may include the
analysis, valuation, and due diligence of real estate opportunities as requested by a
client. This is performed on a case-by-case basis.
1 As each term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, Rule 205-3 of the Investment
Advisors Act, and Section 2(a)(51) of the Investment Company Act, respectively.
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(6) Cash Management Services
Highline provides cash management services to those more conservative minded clients that seeks
to preserve capital and provide liquidity by allocating client cash to short-duration U.S. Treasury
bills, high-quality individual corporate bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and money market
funds, based on the client’s liquidity needs, risk tolerance, and investment objectives.
(7) Financial Planning Services
Highline’s Financial Planning Services are intended to be a collaborative process between the Firm
and our Clients. The intention is to help maximize a client’s potential for meeting life goals through
Financial Advice that integrates relevant elements of the Client’s personal and financial
circumstances.
This service includes an analysis of a client’s financial and life objectives, current financial
position, investment, estate and risk management planning activities, and financial strengths and
weaknesses. Where appropriate, Highline will attempt to coordinate with licensed experts such as
tax attorneys, trust and estate attorneys, and insurance providers to assist in evaluating the many
aspects of a client’s concerns.
Highline’s financial planning process follows the agreed upon Financial Planning Services
contract and seeks to provide the following services:
1) Understand the Client’s Personal and Financial Circumstances
2) Identify and Select Goals
3) Analyze the Client’s Current Course of Action and Potential Alternative Course(s) of
Action
4) Develop the Financial Planning Recommendations
5) Present the Financial Planning Recommendations
6) Implement the Financial Planning Recommendations where agreed upon and
applicable
7) Monitor Progress and Update an ongoing plan as agreed upon in the Financial Planning
Services Contract
As part of the Financial Planning Services, Highline will outline some general approaches to bring
financial activities more in line with the overall objectives of each client. Financial Planning
Services fees are based on a rate of $500 per hour, although an estimate is typically quoted in
advance of entering a Financial Planning contract. The Financial Planning contract outlines the
scope of the engagement and the financial planning areas to be included as agreed upon by client
and Highline. In most cases, the contract terminates upon delivery of the financial plan. If upon
termination the client elects to become a client of the Firm’s Private Wealth Management or
Family Office Services, they will then become an on-going client of Financial Planning Services
and receive future Financial Planning Services at no additional charge. If the client continues to
receive such services, their existing financial plan will be updated annually or when material
changes occur that should be reflected in the plan. However, an analysis performed for a specific
situation will not be updated once it has been resolved.
There is no minimum account size for Financial Planning Services. This service is advisory in
nature and no discretionary powers are given to Highline or Highline advisers.
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There is a conflict of interest because there is an incentive for advisors offering Financial Planning
Services to recommend any of Highline’s five investment advisory services for which the Firm
receives compensation. Financial Planning Services clients are under no obligation to act upon
any recommendations of the Firm, or to execute any transactions through Highline or an associated
person if they decide to follow the recommendations. If clients wish to implement any
recommendation, clients may select any brokerage firm, private investment firm, insurance
agency, broker, carrier, bank, or any other financial service institution.
(8) Pontera Account Services
Retirement Plan Participant Account Management with Pontera: Highline utilizes a third-party
platform named Pontera (formerly FeeX) to facilitate management of held away assets such as
defined contribution plan participant accounts, with discretion. As with Highline’s other services,
we do not have custody of client funds. Additionally, we do not have access to Client log-in
credentials to initiate trades. The use of the third-party platform allows us to provide investment
assistance on a discretionary basis while limiting our access to investment related information
only. We are not affiliated with the platform in any way and receive no compensation from them
for using their platform.
(9) Highline Enterprise Support Services
Highline provides certain limited back-office and infrastructure support services to select industry
consultants under a services agreement, including payroll and employer-related administrative
support, technology and cybersecurity platforms, administrative and billing support, internal
accounting, access to investment research and internal specialists, office facilities (if utilized),
contractual/vendor coordination, and general strategic, operational, and practice management
support for a fee.
(10) Other Consulting Services
Highline also offers market analysis, securities analysis or economic consulting services at a
minimum of $500 per hour payable within ten (10) days after services have been rendered. The
rate is quoted in advance and charged in arrears. Highline also offers an annual consulting service,
which is billed quarterly in arrears.
Occasionally, members of our Firm may be asked to present lectures on investments or economics,
to evaluate individual securities, markets, or industries or to evaluate other factors related to the
valuation, timing and selection of securities or other assets.
If Highline refers a client or prospective client to a third-party service provider, Highline does not
receive referral fees or any other compensation contingent on, or generated by, the sale of products
or provision of services by such third parties.
Highline may receive referrals from third parties for which we do not pay referral fees.
A. Advisory Agreements
1. Information Received by Individual Clients
At the onset of the client relationship, Highline gathers information on each client’s investment
objectives, risk tolerance, time horizons and financial goals. Highline does not assume
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responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided by the client and is not obligated to
verify any information received from the client or from any of the client’s other professionals (e.g.,
attorney, accountant, etc.). Under all circumstances, clients are responsible for promptly notifying
Highline in writing of any material changes to the client’s objectives, risk tolerance, time horizon,
and financial goals.
2. Client Agreements and Disclosures
Each client is required to enter into a written Investment Advisor Agreement with Highline setting
forth the terms and conditions under which the Firm shall render its services. In accordance with
applicable laws and regulations, Highline will provide its disclosure brochure (ADV Part 2A),
brochure supplement (ADV Part 2B), Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS-ADV Part 3), and
most recent Privacy Policy Notice to each client prior to or contemporaneously with the execution
of the Investment Advisor Agreement. Neither Highline nor the client may assign the Investment
Advisor Agreement without the written consent of the other party.
B. Amount of Client Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, Highline’s total regulatory assets under management (“RAUM”) was
$907,881,998. Of the total RAUM, $906,539,440 is considered discretionary assets representing
approximately 936 accounts, and $1,342,557 in non-discretionary assets, representing 3 accounts.
Item 5. Fees and Compensation
Highline’s annual management fees are billed on a quarterly basis in advance and are based on the
rate indicated in the client’s Investment Advisory Agreement. The fees are calculated by taking
the account’s ending market value* as of the prior quarter and multiplying it by one-fourth of the
annual fee rate. (For example, a 1% fee would be billed at .25% per quarter.) The fee is typically
withdrawn from the account at the beginning of each calendar quarter and appears in the
custodian’s monthly statement for January, April, July and October.
*The account’s ending market value is the market value of the investment assets under our
supervision, including cash or its equivalent, as calculated by the custodian of the account and
reviewed by Highline at the beginning of each calendar quarter.
Fees for consulting services are stated separately below.
Investor Services, Private Wealth Management, Real Estate Investment Advisory Services
Fees are based upon the following rate schedule for these services:
AMOUNT
ANNUAL FEE
For the first $1,000,000
1.25%
For the next $1,000,000
1.00%
For the next $3,000,000
0.80%
For the next $5,000,000
0.60%
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Over $10,000,000:
0.40%
There is a minimum annual fee of $5,000 for new clients in Investor Services and Real Estate
Investment Advisory Services and $10,000 for new clients in Private Wealth Management.
Family Office Services
AMOUNT
ANNUAL FEE
For the first $10,000,000
0.85%
For the next $15,000,000
0.50%
Over $25,000,000:
0.30%
There is a minimum annual fee of $85,000 for Family Office Services.
Fees charged for clients with a Cash Management objective are based on the following schedule:
AMOUNT
ANNUAL FEE
For the first $2,000,000
0.50%
For amounts over $2,000,000
0.25%
Fees charged for clients with a Pontera account (details available above in the “Other Services” as
described in Section B) are based upon the following schedule:
AMOUNT
ANNUAL FEE
For the first $2,000,000
0.75%
For amounts over $2,000,000
0.50%
Under special circumstances, and at our discretion, the fees and minimums charged may be
reduced or waived.
Corporate Services
Fees for clients with retirement plans within Corporate Services are based upon the following rate
schedule.
Client will pay Highline a quarterly fee at the rates indicated below based on the market value of
Plan assets as determined by the Plan’s custodian:
SERVICE
ANNUAL FEE
Base Fee Amount
$10,000*
ERISA 3(38) Investment Management Services
0.20%
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*There is a minimum annual fee of $10,000 for Corporate Services clients.
The Base Fee Amount may differ depending on the number of participants in the Plan. Highline
may charge an additional fee for investment advisory services which are quoted based upon the
level of service required.
The valuation of the Plan’s assets for billing purposes is the amount computed by the Plan’s
custodian on the last business day at the end of each calendar quarter. The quarterly fee is
calculated by applying one-fourth of the base fee amount as well as one-fourth of the applicable
annual percentage rate and multiplying this amount by the quarter-end account value as measured
by the Plan’s custodian. The fee is charged in advance on a calendar quarter basis.
If applicable, Highline provides an invoice to clients within 30 business days of the end of each
calendar quarter. Fees are due upon receipt of this billing notice. The client, at its sole discretion,
may instruct the account custodian to calculate Highline’s fees using the fee schedule referenced
above and at its sole discretion may instruct the custodian to disburse such fee to Highline.
For all programs, fees for the first quarterly billing period are not payable until two weeks have
elapsed from the signing of our agreement and for subsequent quarterly billing periods, until two
weeks have elapsed from the beginning of each new period.
For clients in the Private Wealth Management or Family Office Services, invoices may be sent
directly to the client, or if the client prefers, to the custodian or broker selected for the account.
For Investor Services clients, accounts are billed directly via the broker. For Corporate Services
clients, invoices will be sent directly to the client unless the client specifically requests that
payment be processed by the plan’s record-keeper or custodian.
As of this filing, fee schedules in existence prior to the current fee schedule are typically
grandfathered in to keep their existing fee schedule and minimums.
Highline may manage accounts for principals, employees, or family members of Highline within
any of our investment advisory services. Fees and minimums for any of these clients in any of our
programs may be reduced or waived at our discretion.
The fees charged by Highline within any investment advisory service may be more or less than
those charged by other investment advisers for similar services. Further, clients may purchase no-
load mutual fund shares, load-waived mutual fund shares, ETF shares, as well as other securities
directly, without our services, through entities that are not affiliated with us. It is important to
understand that all fund investments also charge management fees and incur other costs and
expenses that are passed through to fund shareholders (and ultimately borne by clients whose
assets are invested in such funds). In addition, custodians and broker-dealers typically impose a
commission, mark-up/down or other transaction fee for effecting transactions in securities. (See
Item 12, Brokerage Practices for more information.) All these fees, costs and expenses are in
addition to the fees paid to us, and we do not waive our fees proportionally to offset these fees,
costs and expenses unless we are required by law to do so.
Highline does not receive 12b-1 trailing fees, participate in revenue sharing arrangements,
administrative or other fees from no-load mutual funds, load-waived mutual funds, ETFs, or from
any of their service providers.
14
Our investment advisory agreements may be terminated by either the client or by Highline upon
not less than thirty (30) days' written notice of such termination. Highline may choose to waive
the advance notice requirement upon written request by the client. Any prepaid management fee
will be refunded pro-rata from the billing period to the date of termination.
Cash Management
A specialized investment objective focused on liquidity and capital preservation with a reduced
fee schedule. There is no minimum annual fee.
SERVICE
ANNUAL FEE
Up to $2M
0.50%
$2M and above
0.25%
Financial Planning Services
As described in Item 4 of this brochure, Highline offers fee-only financial planning within the
Financial Planning Services line of business at an estimated base rate of $500 per hour utilizing
the Financial Planning Services Contract. The rate is quoted in advance and charged in arrears.
Highline also offers an annual financial planning service, which is billed quarterly in arrears.
Consulting Services
Fees for all market analysis, securities analysis or economic consulting services provided by
Highline are a minimum of $500 per hour payable within ten (10) days after services have been
rendered. The rate is quoted in advance and charged in arrears. Highline also offers an annual
consulting service, which is billed quarterly in arrears.
Enterprise Support Services
Highline’s Enterprise Support Services are billed as a flat fee of $5,000 in advance, typically, for
initial review, due diligence, and onboarding. In addition, a monthly ongoing rate of $500 - $2,000
per month may be charged based on the enterprise’s complexity and based on mutual written
agreement.
With all services, fees are generally negotiable.
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Highline does not charge performance-based or side-by-side fees.
Item 7. Types of Clients
Highline provides investment advisory services to a variety of clients, such as corporations,
partnerships, individual investors, trusts, foundations, retirement plans, retirement plan
participants, 401(k) plans and other tax-exempt entities. For our Enterprise Support Services, our
15
intended services would be provided to enterprise level clients, including financial industry
professionals and their entities.
To establish a new account, the initial minimum dollar investment is $1,000,000 for Private Wealth
Management, $500,000 for Investor Services (Investment Management), and $10,000,000 for
Family Office Services. For a new account in Corporate Services, the minimum dollar investment
is typically $2,000,000. We may make exceptions to any of these required minimums at our
discretion. For example, we may make an exception if a newly established Private Wealth
Management client account has an initial balance under $1,000,000 but is expected to exceed this
amount within a reasonable period of time due to additional contributions. Other examples exist
where minimums may be reduced within any of our investment programs. These examples include
special circumstances, such as charities and their employees, as well as disabled persons. In
addition, at our discretion we may waive the minimum account size requirement for principals and
employees of Highline and for members of their families.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
OVERVIEW
1. Method of Analysis - Financial Planning Services
Relevant elements of personal and financial circumstances vary from Client to Client, and may
include the Client’s need for or desire to: develop goals, manage assets and liabilities, manage cash
flow, identify and manage risks, identify and manage the financial effect of health considerations,
provide for educational needs, achieve financial security, preserve or increase wealth, identify tax
considerations, prepare for retirement, pursue philanthropic interests, and address estate and legacy
matters.
Highline’s procedures include 1) analyzing client objectives and risk preferences, assets, liabilities,
income and budgets, 2) coordinating with licensed experts on income taxes, estate planning, and /
or insurance, 3) summarizing strengths and weaknesses in the client’s current financial plan (if
any), and / or 4) outlining potential actions to help each client better achieve their investment
objectives. Both long- and short-term planning is done based on the individual needs of the client
and the agreed upon scope of the engagement as outlined in the Financial Services Contract.
2. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies for Investment Programs
The methods of investment analysis employed at Highline involve the following five categories
for all Highline investment programs:
a) Defining Investment Objectives
b) Making Asset Allocation Decisions
c) Selecting an Initial Portfolio
d) Maintaining Portfolio Diversification
e) Managing Individual Portfolios Over Time
Defining Investment Objectives
16
The first step in our investment process for all programs is to help clients select an investment
objective for their portfolio or portfolios. For the Individual Services, clients are encouraged to
review their overall personal and financial needs. This, in turn, requires clients to review their
specific income circumstances, growth objectives, risk tolerance, tax circumstances and other
factors. Based upon this analysis, their preferences, and the size of their total portfolio, clients
then select a service from the programs we offer, i.e., the Individual Services.
Plan participants of retirement plans within the Corporate Services are encouraged to follow a
similar process when constructing their self-directed portfolios from the investment options
available within their respective plan. During an annual participant information meeting conducted
by the Firm, participants in attendance are encouraged to carefully reflect upon their personal
circumstances and preferences before making individual asset allocation and fund selection
decisions. During the meeting, the Firm also encourages participants to direct their investment
into a combination of equity, fixed income and alternative funds that are also diversified
internationally.
Each client must then choose a specific investment objective within the investment program
chosen by the client as follows:
Individual Services
The investment objectives for the Individual Services are:
● Aggressive
Aggressive investors seek growth of capital and are willing to accept high risk with
minimal income.
● High Growth
High Growth investors seek growth and long-term capital appreciation and are willing to
accept above average risk with minimal income.
● Growth
Growth investors seek long-term capital appreciation with some income and are willing to
accept moderate levels of risk.
● Moderate Growth
Moderate Growth investors seek some long-term capital appreciation with a combination
of income, some capital preservation, and moderate growth.
● Balanced
Balanced investors seek a combination of income, capital preservation and modest growth.
● Diversified Income
●
Diversified Income investors seek capital preservation, a relatively high yield, and below
average amounts of growth.
Income
Income investors seek a relatively high yield and more price stability by purchasing a larger
percentage of higher income-producing investments.
Enhanced Income
The firm offers an Enhanced Income investment objective designed to generate higher
current income by combining a liquid, higher-yielding sleeve of T-bills, individual bonds
(including municipal and corporate), ETFs, mutual funds, and money market funds with a
less liquid sleeve typically consisting of interval funds or other private investments that
seek to provide additional yield; allocations between these sleeves are tailored based on
17
each client’s liquidity needs, risk tolerance, and overall investment objectives.
Some clients request Highline to build custom, specialized portfolios. The Investment Committee
evaluates these opportunities as necessary.
Although each account is placed into one of these seven broad categories, we manage each
portfolio based upon the special needs and circumstances of each client. Clients within the same
investment objective will seldom, if ever, have the exact same funds in the same proportions.
However, clients within the same investment objective will have very similar, and possibly
identical, funds and very similar, and possibly identical, fund allocations. If restrictions have been
placed on any account, the funds selected, and the asset allocations may differ substantially.
Pontera Accounts
Highline provides advice on a discretionary basis for Pontera accounts with respect to the sale of
existing securities and the purchase and sale of all types of securities available within the lineup
of the specific plan(s) as decided by the 401(k) Plan Sponsor(s) (“The Plan Investments”). The
custodian(s) of the 401(k) plan(s) have sole physical custody of all assets in client accounts, but
Highline has full authority as to all investment decisions and is authorized to utilize Pontera to
review client investment portfolios and reallocate, rebalance, or make specific trades as necessary.
Highline can only construct or make changes to portfolios utilizing the investment strategies
available on the Plan Sponsor’s investment lineup.
The investment objectives for clients with Pontera accounts are the same as those for Individual
Services except no income objective is offered.
Corporate Services
Clients in Corporate Services who participate in a retirement plan will typically provide plan
options:
participants
access
to
the
following
categories
of
investment
1) Model Portfolios
2) Target Date Funds
3) Individual Mutual Fund Lineup
Model Portfolios
Risk-based objectives within the Model Portfolios, if available as an option in the investment
lineup, are managed by Highline and are typically as follows:
● Growth
Investors seek long-term capital appreciation with some income and are willing to accept
moderate to above average levels of risk.
● Balanced
Investors seek a combination of income, capital preservation, and moderate growth and are
willing to accept moderate levels of risk.
● Conservative
Investors seek a relatively high yield and more price stability by purchasing a larger
percentage of higher income-producing investments.
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Target Date Funds
If available on the investment lineup, target date funds which we recommend for inclusion in the
plan are available as investment options and, as directed by the plan sponsor, will also serve as the
Qualified Default Investment Alternative (“QDIA”) should a participant choose not to build their
own customized portfolio.
Individual Mutual Fund Lineup
Each participant within a plan also has the option of creating his or her own portfolio using the
above model portfolios (if available), target date funds and, in addition, non-target date mutual
funds. Funds included within the Individual Mutual Fund Lineup have been approved by both
Highline and the client.
The goal is to make recommendations to our clients that will help provide their plan participants
with multiple investment options as well as the flexibility to try to accommodate the participant’s
various circumstances, goals, time horizons and tolerance for risk.
Client portfolios within the Individual Services, and the Model Portfolios (typically available
within Corporate Services) are managed by Highline in accordance with the process described in
the remainder of this section. There is no guarantee that a client will achieve the client’s chosen
investment objective within any of the above services.
Making Asset Allocation Decisions for Individual Services and Corporate Services
We believe investing in today’s volatile markets requires a sophisticated and flexible approach.
We also believe that a successful investment strategy requires diversification and flexibility to shift
assets to a more defensive position during periods of anticipated market weakness. To assist us in
seeking to identify periods of potential market strength and weakness, we conduct research with
the goal of identifying major turning points in financial markets.
Our approach to asset allocation begins with three basic analyses. First, for a long-term
perspective, we examine the socio-economic, demographic, political, institutional, and inflationary
trends that underlie the United States and world economies. This analysis seeks to provide us with
insights into the long-term potential of the market and the relative attractiveness of different types
of investments. Second, we review current monetary and credit conditions. Finally, we monitor
certain fundamental and technical indicators that we believe may help us identify potential market
trends. These indicators seek to measure such things as investor psychology, corporate profits, and
market cycles.
No indicator or combination of indicators can assure the successful identification of future market
trends. When viewed in the broader context of underlying U.S. and global economic, financial,
demographic, and political environments, it is hoped that these indicators provide useful insights
markets.
into
both
domestic
and
foreign
We also employ many analytical techniques, models, graphs, and statistics to help us better
understand domestic and international stock, bond, and currency markets. This research, in turn,
assists us in making both asset allocation and fund selection decisions for client portfolios. Again,
no analytical tool, model, graph, or statistic can assure the attainment of any investment objective
losses.
or
the
avoidance
of
19
Based upon this research, and information obtained from many articles, newsletters, white papers,
and other data sources, we seek to adjust the allocation of client portfolios with the goal of
capitalizing during important market advances and preserving capital during significant declines.
In this way, we seek to achieve favorable real rates of return (after inflation) while striving to limit
risks to a level consistent with each client’s chosen investment objective and risk tolerance.
Although this approach is believed to be sound, Highline cannot guarantee future performance
results, the avoidance of tax liabilities, or the attainment of any desired level of risk.
Asset allocation decisions involve changing investment holdings between funds that invest in
different types of securities. An example of an asset allocation decision that may be made by
Highline is between funds that invest in equity versus fixed income securities. Another example
of an asset allocation decision is between funds that invest in securities domiciled in domestic or
foreign countries. We may also change the allocation between funds that are classified by the
different styles, sectors, objectives or by any other criteria.
By design, asset allocation decisions will normally differ for portfolios with different investment
objectives. Also, since portfolios within both the Individual Services and Corporate Services may
have restrictions imposed by the client, the precise asset allocations for different portfolios with
the same investment objective in a specific investment program may also differ. In fact, it is
unlikely that portfolios with the same objective will have the exact same asset allocation. If
restrictions have been placed on any account, the funds selected and the asset allocations may
substantially.
differ
Selecting an Initial Portfolio
We strive to develop a diversified portfolio consisting of a combination of investments. A typical
client portfolio within any of our programs usually contains from ten to twenty holdings. When
taken as a group, these holdings are designed, in our view, to help achieve the investment objective
selected by the client.
At Highline, we have developed proprietary tools that assist us in screening information on many
investments. By employing these tools, we seek to screen our databases of available investment
options with the goal of identifying:
● Strategies which, when combined into a portfolio, may help achieve the specific
investment objective of each client.
● Strategies which, when combined into a portfolio, may help reduce overall portfolio
volatility.
● Strategies which we believe have the potential to produce superior risk-adjusted
performance.
● Strategies that may meet additional quantitative and qualitative tests that help determine
each investment’s desirability and its potential for future performance.
● Strategies with relatively low operating expense ratios given their objectives and the
costs associated with achieving those objectives.
At Highline we also restrict investments to no-load and load-waived funds that avoid 12b-1 fees.
In addition, to avoid certain conflicts of interest, we never accept 12b-1 payments or any other
kind of payment from any fund or broker.
We normally limit our investment universe to those investments that have a clearly defined
objective and a history of relatively consistent adherence to this objective. We consider the quality
20
of management, expense ratios, risk levels, the size of the investment strategy, its current cash
flow characteristics, and present and past performance.
For ETFs, we also consider construction methodology and fund liquidity (volume and bid/ask
spreads) in addition to the other considerations discussed earlier. The precise selection techniques
we utilize may vary with the type or volatility of each of the Investments.
We may select (or recommend) virtually any investment for inclusion into client portfolios. Each
investment vehicle may invest in a wide variety of securities which may be categorized according
to various investment styles, industry sectors, geographic areas, security types or by other criteria.
For example, funds might invest in exchange-listed securities, securities traded over the counter,
foreign issuers, warrants, corporate debt securities, municipal securities, U.S. Government
securities and options contracts on securities. These funds may also invest in commercial paper,
certificates of deposit, commodities, derivatives, futures contracts, or options on futures contracts,
as well as other types of securities. In addition, funds may invest from time to time in other funds.
As a result, funds may be subject to a variety of investment risks, which include, but are not limited
to, stock market risk, business risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, foreign investment risk, currency
risk, derivatives risks, counterparty risk, geographic risks, diversification risk, political risk,
liquidity risk, inflation risk, and industry concentration risk.
Once investment strategies have been identified using the above process, the Investment
Committee members provide recommendations and ideas which assist the Investment Committee
in using their judgment to select investments for client portfolios. The Investment Committee has
final decision-making authority for all asset allocation decisions, with Jonathan Rugg, CFA,
leading the committee.
Investment Decisions Regarding Target Date Funds and the Individual Mutual Fund Lineup
Once mutual funds have been identified using the above process, the Investment Committee
members provide recommendations and ideas which assist the Investment Committee in using
their judgment to recommend target date funds and non-target date mutual funds to be included
within the plan’s Individual Mutual Fund Lineup for retirement plans within Corporate Services.
Plan participants may then create their own portfolio consisting of any combination of the target
date funds, individual non-target date mutual funds or Model Portfolios (if available) selected for
inclusion by the plan sponsor.
The Investment Committee shares the final decision-making authority for recommending the
individual funds (target date funds and other non-target date mutual funds) and for managing the
Model Portfolios, if applicable. With respect to some retirement plans, specifically those held at
Capital Group / American Funds, the Investment Committee does not specifically possess the same
3(38) fiduciary rights and responsibilities as we typically do with most plans. For these exceptions,
Highline and the Investment Committee cannot be held to the 3(38) fiduciary standards as defined
in ERISA. We still utilize a process designed to provide options that assist plan participants in
achieving their financial goals and objectives.
For all investment management services, our goal is to select and/or recommend strategies with
investment allocations that are likely, in our judgment, to benefit from the above referenced socio-
economic, political, institutional, financial, demographic, and other trends that underlie the United
States and world economies.
21
The information used by Highline in formulating investment strategies may include materials
prepared by mutual funds, ETFs, various U.S. Government publications and information derived
from personal interviews with mutual fund managers or ETF managers. In addition, various
software programs, fund databases, real-time data services and information generated by our own
proprietary models may be used to assist in formulating investment strategies. The judgment of
the Investment Committee members is an important component in formulating investment
decisions for all our investment programs.
Portfolio Diversification
Within all our investment management services, we seek to limit risk by selecting a portfolio of
strategies that invest in individual securities that are normally diversified across asset categories,
industries, sectors, styles of money management, investment objectives and countries of the world.
A more detailed discussion of our approach to portfolio diversification follows. Please note that
we discuss 5 types of diversification:
a. Diversification Across Asset Classes
We typically diversify client portfolios into strategies that invest in securities within
different asset classes. The final mix of equity, bond, and money market funds within
client portfolios is typically determined using proprietary tools, various analytical
measures, the input, recommendations, and judgment of the Investment Committee.
b. Diversification Within an Asset Class
Client portfolios are also diversified through purchasing a mix of strategies that may
contain securities invested across sectors, industries and additionally, for bond funds,
across varying maturities and types of issuers. The final mix of equity sectors and
industries, as well as bond maturities and issuers, is typically determined using
proprietary tools, analytical measures, the input, recommendations, and judgment of the
Investment Committee.
c. Diversification by Investment Style
We seek to reduce the risk of investing in strategies which hold securities within a given
asset class (e.g., equity funds) by diversifying across different styles of money
management. For example, equity fund managers may employ different investment
“styles” by focusing their investments into certain types of securities, e.g.:
● Defensive, cyclical, securities with relatively stable earnings growth rates, high
dividend paying, interest rate sensitive, growth stocks, value stocks, small company,
and large company stocks, among others.
Many other styles also exist, each employing a particular strategy for selecting stocks,
bonds, or other types of financial assets. Styles of equity management vary considerably,
as do the associated risk and historical performance results.
d. Diversification by Investment Objective
When appropriate, we may further diversify client portfolios by selecting strategies that
employ different investment objectives, such as conservative growth, moderate growth,
and aggressive growth. We believe that this process may help balance the overall risk
exposure of a client portfolio with the investment objective selected by the client.
22
e. Global Diversification
We may also offer strategies that invest in foreign securities. In doing so, we seek to
identify opportunities that may exist or develop in various countries, regions, or currencies
with the goal of enhancing investment returns and/or limiting risk in client portfolios.
However, no assurances can be made regarding future rates of return for securities
associated with any country, currency or for the overall risk level of any portfolio that is
diversified internationally.
Managing Individual Portfolios Over Time
The specific investment approach followed by Highline is to first construct a portfolio of funds
designed to seek to achieve the specific investment objective selected by the client. Over time, we
may purchase or sell any investment. On occasion, we may also sell securities that were previously
transferred to the account by the client. In each instance, our goal is to enhance the overall risk-
adjusted performance of the client’s portfolio over a strategic, long-term time horizon. In any given
calendar year, we monitor the taxable gains/losses within taxable client portfolios to the best of
our ability, as the information is subject to calculation and delivery by the investment managers
selected in the portfolios. Where possible and appropriate, given the client’s specific goals and
objectives, we utilize this data to balance tax losses and gains, via a process commonly known as
“tax loss harvesting”. While this is a common practice among investment advisers, our usage of
mutual funds and ETFs further utilizes the managers’ expertise in managing the tax impact of their
specific portfolios.
The management of client portfolios is a dynamic process. We monitor current holdings and seek
to upgrade to investments that we believe are more attractive, appropriate, or in a client’s best
interest whenever existing holdings no longer meet specific risk, expected performance and other
fund selection criteria, or if a new class of fund is introduced that would be better suited, or carries
lower overall expenses to the client. Also, overall portfolio allocation adjustments may be made
when, in our opinion, changing market conditions warrant a shift in the allocation of client assets
strategies.
across domestic
and
international
equity, bond
and money market
We monitor the investment positions held in client portfolios daily and review these holdings on
a weekly and monthly basis. Special reviews may also be initiated whenever significant
fundamental or technical developments occur, when important new information is released, upon
the input, recommendations, and judgment of the Investment Committee.
We normally adjust client portfolios in response to changes or anticipated future changes
sequentially rather than all at once.
RISK OF LOSS
Investing in securities involves a significant risk of loss which clients should be prepared to bear.
Highline 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.
Some investment decisions or recommendations may result in profits and others in losses.
Transactions in investment strategies may also result in an increase or a decrease in the tax
liabilities for taxable client accounts and an increase in transaction costs. Past performance is not
23
indicative of future results. Clients should never assume that future performance of any investment
profitable.
or
strategy
will
be
In addition to the risks associated with changing from one strategy to another, there are also many
underlying risks that may impact the individual strategies contained within client portfolios. These
risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Risks associated with changing socio-economic, demographic, and political conditions
within the United States and throughout the world.
● Risks resulting from changes in public policies, regulations, laws, international
developments, and technology.
● Risks attributable to fluctuations in inflation rates, interest rates, exchange rates and other
variables.
● Opportunity risk that an investor may forego profits or returns from other investments.
● Risks associated with the ongoing viability, functioning and liquidity of financial markets,
individual financial instruments, and financial institutions – including the brokers,
custodians and transfer agents associated with the investments that typically comprise
client portfolios.
● Risks attributable to the changing business and operating conditions that influence the
companies and government entities responsible for issuing individual securities, which, in
turn, are held by the investment strategies.
● When investing in a position, clients will bear additional expenses based on their pro rata
share of the investment’s operating expenses, including the potential duplication of
management fees. The risk of owning an investment generally reflects the risks of owning
the underlying securities the investment holds. Clients will also incur brokerage costs when
purchasing ETFs and may incur transaction costs when purchasing mutual funds through
custodians or discount brokers unless such fees are waived.
● Risks relating to investing. Investing involves substantial risks including, but not limited
to general investment and trading risks, and investment judgment.
● Pandemic and other Public Health Emergency (such as COVID, SARS, H1N1 influenza,
avian influenza, Ebola, or other epidemic diseases), other major events or disruptions (such
as hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, flooding, and other natural disasters), acts of
war or terrorism, and Global Economic Impacts.
Item 9. Disciplinary Information
Registered investment Advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would be considered material to clients’ or prospective clients’
evaluation and/or selection of an Adviser.
Neither Highline nor its management have any legal or disciplinary actions or events reportable
under this section or that would be material to our firm management.
When considering an adviser, the public is encouraged to review details of Investment Adviser
Representatives (IARs) and Advisory Firms’ background, licensing and any disciplinary
information on the Investment Adviser’s Public Disclosure site (IAPD) www.Adviserinfo.sec.gov.
24
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Other Financial Industry Activities
Highline’s sole business is as a Registered Investment Adviser. Highline does not have any other
financial industry activities.
Certain Highline investment professionals have insurance licenses and are licensed to recommend
and offer insurance products to individuals that they believe may benefit from them in the overall
financial planning process. In doing so, Highline’s investment professional can receive a
commission directly from the insurance company when a policy is sold. Even though this would
transpire outside of their role with Highline, this presents a conflict of interest since the insurance
agent – investment professional would have an incentive to recommend insurance products to
individuals for a commission.
Highline addresses this conflict by this disclosure and advises clients that they have the option of
purchasing insurance policies through other insurance agents, even if it was recommended by a
Highline insurance agent - investment professional. Highline will not charge clients an investment
management fee for any commission-based investment that has paid a commission, such as
insurance products. If a Highline investment professional receives a commission for an insurance
policy sale, clients will not also be billed through Highline for managing the same policy. Not all
insurance professionals who are insurance agents accept insurance commissions for insurance
sales.
Certain Highline investment professionals also have real estate licenses for personal real estate
transactions only. They do not offer transactional real estate services or act as real estate agents
with the public through Highline.
Affiliations
Highline Holdings, Inc. (“HHI”) is Highline Wealth Partners’ parent company, owning 100%, as
disclosed in Item 4A of this Brochure. President Jonathan Rugg wholly owns HHI. HHI does not
have any other business activities that would represent conflicting interests with HWP’s clients.
Highline Asset Management, LLC (“HAM”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser that
provides advisory services to private funds. HAM is an affiliate to HWP as both are under common
ownership by HHI. Additionally, Mr. Rugg and other HWP personnel serve as advisers and/or
control persons of HAM. At times, HWP will recommend clients invest in one or more private
funds receiving advisory services from HAM. While neither HWP nor its representatives receive
any direct compensation for such recommendations, this creates a conflict of interest as HWP and
HAM have common ownership, and profits received by HAM will be shared by owners of HWP.
Further, as discussed above, principals and executive officers of HWP also provide services
through HAM. An additional conflict exists in that activities performed on behalf of HAM and its
clients will take up a portion of the HWP representatives’ business time.
In order to mitigate these conflicts, they are disclosed to clients through this Brochure and relevant
Brochure Supplements. Further, before making a recommendation to invest in a HAM private
fund, HWP representatives will conduct a best interests review, and such recommendations will
only be made if they’re believed to be suitable and, in the client’s best interest. HWP clients
interested in investing in a private fund must be accredited. Additionally, to subscribe for an
25
interest in a HAM private fund, each client will be required to independently complete and execute
various subscription documents and additional forms. HWP will not have authority to purchase an
interest in a HAM private fund on a client’s behalf.
Highline Ventures 1 LLC (“HV1”) serves as the fund sponsor to private funds. HV1 will typically
engage HAM, HWP’s affiliated adviser, to serve as the investment adviser to such funds. HWP
and HV1 are affiliated due to common ownership by HHI, as HHI is the sole owner of HV1, and
HHI is wholly owned by Jonathan Rugg, HWP’s President. HV1 sponsored funds receive advisory
services from Highline Asset Management (“HAM”), a HWP affiliated advisory firm. Please see
HAM’s Form ADV disclosure brochure for additional information relating to HV1 sponsored
funds.
While HV1 engages HAM as the adviser to their funds, HV1 retains additional managerial duties
to the funds, and for these services receives compensation in the form of management fees. If a
HWP client invests in a HV1 sponsored fund, this creates a conflict of interest as HV1 will assess
a management fee on assets invested and profits received by HV1 will be shared by owners of
HWP via HHI. HWP advisers may invest personal assets in private funds managed by HV1, which
presents a conflict of interest since there may be a limited number of investors accepted. HV1
ensures every investor receives the same treatment; HWP advisers investing in private funds are
subject to the same fees as all HWP clients and do not receive any benefit over other
investors. HWP waives its fees for HWP clients investing in an HV1 fund whose HWP adviser is
a HAM or HHI control person.
In order to mitigate these conflicts, they are disclosed to clients through this Brochure and relevant
Brochure Supplements. Further, before making a recommendation to invest in a HV1 private fund,
HWP representatives will conduct a best interests review, and such recommendations will only be
made if it’s believed to be suitable and in the client’s best interest. HWP clients interested in
investing in a private fund must be accredited. Additionally, to subscribe for an interest in a HV1
private fund, each client will be required to independently complete and execute various
subscription documents and additional forms. HWP will not have authority to purchase an interest
in a HV1 private fund on a client’s behalf.
Oak Park Real Estate Advisors LLC (“OPREA”) Oak Park Real Estate Advisors LLC
(OPREA) is a sponsor to a pooled real estate investment vehicle, OPI Heritage, LLC, whose assets
are comprised entirely of real property and would otherwise be an investment company as defined
in section 3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 but for section 3(c)(5) and is not a security.
However, 40% of OPREA is owned by Highline Real Estate Partners, LLC (“HREP”). HREP also
holds 2 board seats of OPREA. HREP is wholly owned by HHI, which also owns Highline Wealth
Partners.
Highline Real Estate Partners, LLC (“HREP”) is a part owner and control person of OPREA
which serves as a fund sponsor which make real estate investments. HWP and HREP are affiliated
due to common ownership as HHI is the sole owner of HREP.
If a HWP client invests in a OPREA sponsored fund, this creates a conflict of interest as OPREA
will assess fees on assets invested and profits received by HREP and OPREA will be shared by
owners of HWP via HHI.
HWP advisers may invest personal assets in private funds sponsored by OPREA, which presents
a conflict of interest since there may be a limited number of investors accepted or a limited amount
of investment capacity. OPREA ensure every investor receives the same treatment. HWP advisers
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investing in private funds are subject to the same fees as all HWP clients and do not receive any
benefit over other investors. HWP advisers or personnel who are either owners or control persons
at OPREA may also receive fees from HWP from clients who are invested in a OPREA sponsored
fund. Since the real estate sponsor has majority control and ownership of the real estate (fund) and
OPREA is a minority, we believe the conflicting interests in this affiliation are negligible.
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
Principals of Highline make investments for their own accounts, for family accounts, and for the
accounts of other clients that are the same as, or in conflict with those made for, or recommended
to, clients. Employees of the Firm may also make investments for their own accounts that are the
same as, or in conflict with those made for, or recommended to, client accounts. Personal
investments made by principals and employees of Highline may involve securities that cannot be
purchased or sold by Highline for, or recommended to, client accounts.
Principals and employees of Highline have the option, subject to the approval of Highline’s CCO,
to open one or more accounts within any of our investment services including Investor Services
and Private Wealth Management. Principals or employees that invest in any of these products
must sign an Investment Advisor Agreement and complete a Confidential Information Form just
like any other Highline client. Highline does not believe this creates a conflict of interest as
principals and employees are expected to receive executions and investment results that are quite
like those received by Highline clients who have the same objective within any of the above
referenced investment services.
Principals and employees of Highline may invest in and trade shares of no-load or load-waived
mutual fund shares on the same day that may be purchased or sold for, or recommended to, clients.
Personal transactions made by principals and employees in shares of these funds are not restricted.
We believe that such transactions do not present a conflict of interest because any no-load or load-
waived mutual fund purchased or sold on a particular day is transacted at a net asset value,
calculated by the no-load or load-waived mutual fund, for that day.
If Highline purchases or sells shares of a stock, non-government bond, ETF, or closed-end mutual
fund during a given trading day for a client, principals and employees of the Firm must obtain
approval from the CCO before executing a transaction for their personal account(s) during that
same trading day. These restrictions do not apply to any open-end mutual funds, large cap stocks,
government bonds, ETFs or closed-end funds that are held in employee accounts professionally
managed by Highline since these transactions will generally be batched, when possible, with
transactions placed for other accounts within the same program with the same objective, with the
same brokerage firm used for the execution. In addition, principals and employees must obtain
permission from the CCO before buying more shares of these securities if they are held in any
account managed by Highline. We believe that monitoring principals’ and employees’ accounts
prevents the opportunity to place their interests before the interests of clients and potentially
benefit from a personal securities transaction to the detriment of clients. When in conflict, the
client will always receive the best execution.
If a client transfers stock, non-government bond, ETF, or closed-end fund shares to their managed
account at Highline, which are also held by a firm principal or employee, the principal or employee
holding the security must obtain permission from the CCO before selling them and may not sell
them on the same day they are sold for the client.
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Highline has implemented a Code of Ethics, which incorporates the above prohibitions and
restrictions, and serves to establish a standard of business conduct for the principals and employees
of our Firm. The Code of Ethics is monitored and enforced by the Firm’s Chief Compliance
Officer, and includes policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of
material non-public information by our principals and employees.
Item 12. Brokerage Practices
Individual Services
If a client within any of the Individual Services seeks our assistance in selecting a broker, we
normally recommend brokers that appear to offer a competitive combination of service, trading
opportunities and competitive commission rates. The choice of broker is left to the client or to the
custodian handling client assets. Clients may direct Highline to a particular broker or to a
custodian that may, in turn, select another broker to execute transactions.
Highline has selected Charles Schwab Institutional (“Schwab”) to be the broker for Individual
Services. We believe that Schwab offers a competitive combination of services, trading resources
and commission rates. A special benefit that may accrue to clients in the program is access to many
institutional shares class funds that are usually not available to retail customers and often have
lower expense ratios.
Schwab also offers certain ETFs and mutual funds for zero transaction costs, provided that the
funds are held for a specific time. The required holding periods are typically compatible with the
investment management approach employed by Highline.
Highline has selected Zoe Financial, Inc. through Apex Clearing Corp. (Apex) to be a broker for
Individual Services. Similar to Schwab, Apex offers a competitive combination of services, trading
resources and competitive commission rates, including zero transactions charges for mutual funds
and ETFs.
Highline has also selected Pontera to allow Highline to access clients’ sub-account(s) within their
firms’ 401(k) plan(s). Highline is authorized to review the investment portfolio and reallocate,
rebalance, or make specific trades as necessary. Highline only has access to the specific strategies
and/or securities that are available within the lineup of the specific plan(s) as decided by the Plan
Sponsor(s).
Corporate Services
Highline selects from among Principal, Schwab, Empower, ADP, Human Interest, Ascensus,
Vestwell, Ubiquity, John Hancock, or Capital Group American Funds to be the custodian and
broker for the Corporate Services platform, depending on the situation and a variety of cost and
efficiency factors. We believe these firms offer a competitive combination of service, trading
resources and commission rates. A special benefit that may accrue to clients and plan participants
is access to many institutional shares class funds, which are usually not available to retail
customers, and which often have lower expense ratios.
If Highline can negotiate a lower commission schedule with a custodian or broker, the benefits are
passed along to our clients. Transaction charges paid by clients of Highline to their broker for
trading costs may be higher or lower than those charged by other executing brokers.
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When Highline obtains direct or third-party research reports from one or more of the brokers used
by our clients, such research normally consists of economic or financial data, electronic quotations,
or specific research reports - information that typically accrues to the benefit of all our clients. We
do not allocate these benefits to client accounts proportionally based on the commissions generated
by those accounts.
Executing brokers also provide Highline administrative assistance with software packages used
for accessing client data and trading accounts, and access to a daily electronic link to client
accounts. They also provide newsletters, conferences, due diligence meetings, webcasts, special
events, and employees that may address overall market conditions, regulatory matters, industry
developments, best business practices and other topics. The research, products, and services
provided benefits Highline and its clients, because we do not have to pay for them ourselves.
Highline may recommend a certain executing broker to effect transactions for clients because we
believe that the broker’s reports are particularly insightful and useful. To the extent that the
transaction fees or commissions charged by that broker might be higher than those another broker
might charge, in recognition of the value of such reports, we may still use an executing broker.
Any product or service we receive from that executing broker assists us in our investment decision
process has value to all or many of our clients. By selecting an executing broker, however, we
have a conflict of interest to the extent that Highline receives valuable research that is ultimately
paid for by clients through commission dollars, rather than Highline.
Principals and employees of Highline are provided access to the same trading platforms used by
discretionary clients of Highline Accounts of these principals and employees enjoy the same
benefits - such as lower mutual fund transaction fees, access to institutional class funds which
normally have lower expense ratios, the ability to purchase some load funds on a load-waived
basis, and access to certain funds that are closed to retail accounts - and are subject to the same
fee, cost and expense schedules as any Highline discretionary account. Were it not for the business
that Highline does with these brokers on behalf of its clients, access to these platforms would not
be available for accounts of principals and employees of Highline. Therefore, the Firm has an
incentive to continue to do business with those brokers on behalf of clients, even if doing so is not
entirely in the best interests of clients. We periodically evaluate the services and prices of other
trading platforms and believe that our clients continue to benefit from those prices and from the
overall quality of services at these organizations.
Charles Schwab Custodian Arrangement
Highline recommends Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), a FINRA-registered broker-
dealer, member SIPC, as a qualified custodian. Highline is not affiliated with Schwab. Schwab
will hold client assets in a brokerage account and buy and sell securities when Highline instructs
them to do so. While Highline may recommend that clients use Schwab as custodian/broker, clients
will open an account with Schwab by entering into an account agreement directly with them.
Schwab offers independent investment advisers certain services, which include custody of client
securities, trade execution, clearance and settlement of transactions. Highline receives some
benefits from Schwab, which are similar to the benefits outlined above.
APEX Clearing Corporation
The Zoe Financial platform offered at Apex Clearing Corporation (“Apex”), a wholly owned
subsidiary of Apex Fintech Solutions, as a custodian. Apex, a qualified custodian, is registered
with the SEC and members of FINRA and SIPC and is not affiliated with Highline. Apex holds
client assets in a brokerage account and buys and sells securities per Highline’s instructions.
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Clients will open an account with Apex by entering into an account agreement directly with them.
Apex offers independent investment advisers certain services, which include custody of client
securities, trade execution, clearance and settlement of transactions, account onboarding and other
back-office services, as well as rebalancing software designed to assist with the portfolio
implementation and monitoring processes.
Principal Custodian Arrangement
Principal is an SEC-registered financial firm. Principal offers services to a variety of retirement
plans, which include plan setup and administration, custody of securities, trade execution,
clearance and settlement of transactions.
Capital Group - American Funds Custodian Arrangement
The Capital Group Companies, Inc. is the parent company to several investment management
subsidiaries including Capital Research and Management Company, investment adviser to the
American Funds family of mutual funds and Capital Guardian Trust Company, and investment
adviser to several institutional funds and client accounts. Capital Group manages over $1 trillion
in assets for individual mutual funds, large and small defined contribution and defined benefit
plans, foundations, endowments and other institutional clients that together represent over 50
million customer accounts.
Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) Custodian Arrangement
Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is a global business outsourcing services provider
headquartered in Roseland, N.J. ADP is one of the largest payroll outsourcing providers in the
world, and was an early adopter of a cloud computing operating model. According to executives,
the vendor cuts paychecks for one in six Americans.
Pontera
Pontera is a separate company, unaffiliated with Highline, which provides technology allowing
Highline to access a client’s sub-account within their company’s 401(k) plan for investment
review, reallocation, rebalance, and trade purposes only. Pontera’s technology is Highline’s only
access point to the account. The client also reviews and executes a separate agreement directly
with Pontera defining their services and technology, details of which can be found in the document
entitled, “Pontera End User License Agreement.”
Human Interest
Human interest is a separate company, unaffiliated with Highline, which helps small and medium-
sized businesses offer low-cost, high-quality retirement plans to their employees.
Empower Plan Services, LLC (Empower) (Formerly Great Western)
Empower is a retirement plan recordkeeping financial holding company based in Greenwood
Village, Colorado. It is the second largest retirement plan provider in the U.S. Empower provides
retirement savings products and services for public, corporate and nonprofit employers, and
recordkeeping and administrative services for other providers of defined contribution plans.
John Hancock Retirement Plan Services
John Hancock Retirement Plan Services, LLC offers administrative or recordkeeping services to
sponsors and administrators of retirement plans. John Hancock Trust Company LLC provides
trust and custodial services to such plans.
Acensus
Acensus provides administrative and recordkeeping services for employer-sponsored qualified
retirement savings plans
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Vestwell
The Vestwell Group offers plans and plan sponsors a comprehensive suite of services to support
their workplace retirement plans. The services offered include payroll file processing,
recordkeeping and Plan administration provided on a digital platform (the “Vestwell Platform”)
that enables employers to offer employer-sponsored qualified retirement savings plans, including
401(k) plans and 403(b) plans (“Plans”), to their employees.
Ubiquity
Ubiquity provides administrative, payroll processing and recordkeeping services for small
business employer-sponsored retirement plans
Trade Aggregation and Allocation
Highline does not aggregate orders for buying or selling shares of no-load or load-waived mutual
funds within any of the investment management programs since each client that transacts with a
specific mutual fund with a designated executing broker on the same day obtains the same
execution price (the fund’s net asset value for that day), priced at the end of each trading day, and
pays the same transaction charge.
When possible, we aggregate orders for buying and selling shares of ETFs, closed-end funds, and
individual stocks or bonds when we are able to ensure that clients with the same objective obtains
the same execution price on a given day. We do this by placing a block trade with the executing
broker. Block trades are sometimes separately placed with the custodial/clearing firm for clients
with different objectives within the investment management programs and that they may be
executed at different times of the day, and at different prices.
Item 13. Review of Accounts
Market conditions and individual investments held by clients are monitored daily and reviewed
monthly. Special reviews may be initiated whenever important fundamental, technical, cyclic or
chart pattern developments occur or when important information sources are released, upon the
consideration and judgment of the Investment Committee. All asset allocation, timing and
selection decisions and recommendations within all investment management programs are made
with the input, recommendations, and judgment of the Investment Committee.
The individual target date funds, the funds included in the Highline Model Portfolios (when
utilized in each plan), and all the mutual funds included within the Individual Mutual Fund Lineup
are not managed by Highline as each fund has a separate fund manager. In addition, since each
plan participant makes his or her own individual allocation decisions independent of Highline, the
Firm is not responsible for the suitability or performance of the personal portfolios created by plan
participants. We simply manage the model portfolios, if selected, and select target date and other
non-target date mutual funds which we recommend for inclusion as investment options for all plan
participants.
Highline Portfolio Review reports are furnished to clients on a periodic basis, based upon the
review dates initially specified for the client, and may be delivered via mail or electronically. A
Portfolio Review report consists of four sections: (1) the Market Overview, (2) Total Portfolio-
Net of Fees, (3) Current Account Holdings, and (4) Account Overview-Net of Fees.
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The Market Overview report includes Highline’s Quarterly Commentary and a table summarizing
the performance of several market indices during the six-month review and year-to-date periods.
The Total Portfolio-Net of Fees report shows the change in value of the portfolio during the review
and year-to-date periods, two graphs - one depicting the allocation by asset class of the portfolio
holdings and the second depicting the allocation of the portfolio by account, and a table showing
the returns for each account within the portfolio for the review period. The Current Account
Holdings report resembles a “snapshot” of each account as of the review date and provides details
regarding the individual holdings such as cost basis, market value and each holding’s allocation
within the account. The Account Overview-Net of Fees report shows a graph indicating the
Allocation by Asset Class, a table noting the change in value of the account during the review and
year-to-date periods, a chart depicting the portfolio value over time and a chart showing the
performance of the account versus the benchmark. Formal Portfolio Review Reports are prepared
by the Chief Operations Officer.
Clients in the Corporate Services program receive quarterly portfolio valuation reports that are
delivered either by mail or electronically by the plan record-keeper and/or custodian. These reports
are like the reports described above and include an additional report which monitors the quarterly
performance of the individual mutual funds contained within the investment options selected by
the plan sponsor for the plan.
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Received
Highline recommends that clients use Charles Schwab or Apex Clearing Corp. (Apex) as their
custodians and brokers of record. While there is no direct link between the investment advice
given to a client and our recommendation to clients to use Schwab or Apex as their custodian
brokers, certain indirect economic benefits are received by us due to these arrangements.
We receive an economic benefit in the form of the support products and services Schwab and Apex
make available to us and other independent investment advisers that have their clients maintain
accounts at Schwab and Apex. 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 or Apex’s products and services is not based on us giving particular investment
advice, such as buying particular securities for our clients.
While the Firm and our associated persons always endeavor to put the interest of the clients first,
as part of our fiduciary duty, clients should be aware that receipt of indirect economic benefits
itself creates a conflict of interest. To help ensure that clients are receiving best execution and to
address the conflict of interest surrounding this arrangement, we perform periodic reviews of the
quality of execution, order routing practices, and overall services provided by Schwab and Apex.
B. Client Referrals
Highline may receive client referrals from Zoe Financial, Inc. through its participation in the Zoe
Advisor Network (ZAN). Zoe Financial, Inc. is independent of and unaffiliated with Highline and
there is no employee relationship between them. The purpose of ZAN is to refer individuals and
other investors seeking fiduciary personal investment management services or financial planning
services to independent investment advisors. Zoe Financial does not supervise Highline and has
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no responsibility for Highline’s management of client portfolios or Highline’s other advice or
services. Highline pays Zoe Financial an on-going fee for each successful client referral. This fee
is usually a percentage of the advisory fee that the client pays to Highline. Highline will not charge
clients referred through ZAN any fees or costs higher than its standard fee schedule offered to its
clients. For additional information, please refer to the Zoe Financial Disclosure and
Acknowledgment form.
Solicitor relationships will be fully disclosed to each Client to the extent required by applicable
law. Highline will ensure each solicitor is exempt, notice filed or properly registered in all
appropriate jurisdictions. See also Item 4.B.6, Other Services and Item 12, Brokerage Practices.
Item 15. Custody and Client Communications
Highline does not maintain possession or custody of any client funds or securities for any
investment program. If requested by the client, Highline will be deemed to have constructive
custody of client funds if the Firm has the authority and ability to debit its fees directly from clients’
accounts per the Firm’s signed agreement with that client. To mitigate these conflicts of interests,
all Highline client account assets will be maintained with an independent qualified custodian.
Generally, Highline recommends Charles Schwab for custodial services, but from time to time,
other custodians may be recommended by Highline to custody client assets. Notably, in most
cases, a client’s broker-dealer also may act as the custodian of the client’s assets for little or no
extra cost. Clients should be aware, however, of the differences between having their assets held
at a broker-dealer versus at a bank or trust company. Some of these differences include, but are
not limited to, custodian costs, trading issues, security of assets, client reporting, and technology.
Each client will receive account statements and trade confirmations from the client’s broker, bank
or other qualified custodian using the form of delivery previously selected by each client with their
broker, bank, or custodian.
Individual Services
Account statements and trade confirmations are typically delivered either by mail or electronically
by the client’s broker, bank, or custodian. Clients should carefully review these documents, as
well as any other notifications sent to them by their broker, bank, or custodian. In addition, all
clients are advised to carefully compare their brokerage, bank, or custodian statements with the
semi-annual reports they receive from Highline.
Many of our clients give us the authority to withdraw our management fees directly from their
account(s), through their broker, bank, or custodian. These clients should carefully review their
monthly or quarterly brokerage, bank, or custodial statements for such charges to ensure that they
are consistent with the fee schedule designated in their signed copy of the Highline Investment
Advisor Agreement.
Corporate Services
Account statements and trade confirmations are typically delivered either by mail or electronically
by the plan’s record-keeper or custodian. Clients should carefully review these documents, as well
as any other notifications sent to them by their record-keeper or custodian. In addition, all clients
are advised to compare their custodian statements with the reports they receive from Highline.
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Some of our clients give the plan’s record-keeper the authority to withdraw our management fees
directly from plan assets, through their custodian. These clients should carefully review their
monthly or quarterly custodial statements for such charges to ensure that they are consistent with
the fee schedule designated in their signed copy of the Highline Investment Advisor Agreement –
401(k) Plan.
Item 16. Investment Discretion
For most clients in Private Wealth Management, Corporate Services, and Family Office Services
and all clients in the Investor Services, Highline holds discretionary investment authority over the
assets in the client’s account. This means that Highline has full investment discretion over (1)
which securities are to be bought or sold in client accounts; (2) the amount of securities to be
bought or sold in client accounts; and (3) when transactions are made. Before Highline accepts
this investment authority, the client must first complete and sign our written Investment Advisor
Agreement for discretionary clients. This agreement gives Highline a limited power of attorney
to implement transactions on behalf of the client on a discretionary basis within all of our
investment management programs. For retirement plans within Corporate Services, Highline will
recommend changes to the investment lineup or model portfolios (if available). These changes are
typically implemented by the record-keeper and/or the custodian.
For each discretionary account Highline manages, the client will establish a Limited Power of
Attorney with their custodian authorizing the Firm to give the custodian instructions for the
purchase, sale, conversion, redemption, exchange or retention of any security, cash or cash
equivalent for the account. At the present time, most Individual Services clients establish an
account with Charles Schwab Institutional. Corporate Services clients also establish an account
with ADP, Principal or Capital Group - American Funds. In our opinion, these institutions provide
a competitive combination of efficient executions, fees, and back-office services. Clients within
the Family Office Services need not select one of these custodians to retain Highline to manage an
account. In this circumstance, however, Highline must approve the broker or custodian
recommended by the client.
Clients within all the investment management programs normally do not place any limitations on
the investment discretion of Highline. However, a client within any program may impose
restrictions, including on the purchase or sale of certain securities. These clients must also
complete a written Investment Advisor Agreement and, in addition, must specify the precise nature
of the limitations placed upon our management of the account in writing.
Item 17. Voting Client Securities’ Proxies
Highline does not vote proxies with respect to client securities held at brokerage firms or custodial
banks. The brokers and custodial banks are responsible for forwarding all proxies and related
materials directly to the client. Thus, each client maintains the exclusive right and responsibility
for voting proxies for securities held in his or her account.
Highline shall not be deemed to have proxy voting authority solely because of providing advice or
information about a particular proxy vote to a client.
Highline does not advise or act on behalf of clients with respect to any legal matters, including
bankruptcies and class actions, for the securities held in clients’ accounts.
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Item 18. Financial Information
Highline does not require or solicit prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six months
or more in advance and is not required to provide a balance sheet. Currently, Highline does not
have any financial condition that is likely to impair our ability to meet our contractual
commitments to clients.
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Highline Wealth Partners, LLC
Client Privacy Policy Notice
Your relationship with Highline is based on trust and confidence.
Protecting your privacy is very important to us. Our goal is to treat the personal information you
furnish us with the utmost respect and in accordance with this Privacy Policy. We request that you
carefully read this Privacy Policy. By doing business with Highline you are agreeing to the terms
set forth in this Privacy Policy.
This policy describes the types of personally identifiable information (“PII”) we may collect from
you or that you may provide, and our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, protecting, and
disclosing that information. PII includes information such as your name, address, phone number,
ZIP code, email address and similar information.
Personal Information We Collect and How We Collect It
In providing you with wealth management services, we collect certain nonpublic personal
information about you. Our policy is to keep this information strictly confidential, and to use or
disclose it only as needed to provide services to you, or as permitted by law. Our privacy policy
applies equally to our former clients, as well as individuals who simply inquire about the services
we offer.
The nonpublic personal information we have about you includes what you give us when you open
an account, or communicate with us about your account, such as your name, address, social
security number, employment information, investment objectives, financial circumstances,
account transactions and holdings.
You can call us for general information anonymously or visit us on the internet without telling us
who you are or revealing any information about yourself, including your name and email address.
There are times when we may ask you for information about yourself to assist us in meeting your
various needs. In these cases, you and your browsing will no longer be anonymous to us. To
provide these services, we may need to ask you directly to provide, among other things, your name,
physical address, zip code, email address, phone number, and other personal information.
Please note that we do not knowingly solicit information from minors, and we do not knowingly
market our products or services to minors.
How We Use and Share Your Information
We use and may share nonpublic personal information about you only to outside firms that provide
necessary services for your account, such as your account custodian or broker-dealer, or as
authorized by you or permitted by law. We may use information that we collect about you or that
you provide to us, including any personal information, for any purpose including, but not limited
to:
● Providing you with materials you have requested
● Contacting you for other financial products
● Personalizing our contact with you
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● Operating, providing, improving, and maintaining our website
● Developing new products and services
● Preventing abusive and fraudulent use of our website
● Sending you administrative messages, content and other services and features in which
we believe you may be interested
● Any other administrative and internal business purposes permitted by law
Protection of Your Information
We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those persons who need to know
it or who are permitted by law to receive it. We use a variety of security measures to protect
against the loss, misuse, and alteration of information under our control by maintaining physical,
electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect the confidentiality of your information.
Although we make good-faith efforts to maintain the security of such information, we cannot
guarantee that it will remain free from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or alteration. Further,
we cannot guarantee that our security measures will prevent unauthorized persons from accessing
or obtaining this information. We assume no liability to you or any other party in relation to the
unauthorized access, use or alteration of any information provided to us.
Notification in the Event of Data Breach
As previously stated, although we make good-faith efforts to maintain the security of your
information, we cannot guarantee that it will remain free from unauthorized access, use, disclosure,
or alteration. In the event your personally identifiable information is breached by an unauthorized
party, we will comply with applicable laws in timely notifying you of the breach.
Accessing or Correcting Your Information
You may access the data collected by us about you by sending a request to the address listed below.
If you believe that an error has been made in the accuracy of the information collected from you,
we will correct such error upon adequate verification of the error and the identity of the person
seeking the correction.
If you wish to access, remove, or correct any personally identifying information you have supplied
to us or if you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, you may contact us by sending a letter
via the U.S. Mail to: Highline Chief Compliance Officer, 15260 Ventura Blvd., Suite 855,
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403. Please understand that to protect your privacy and security, we may
also need to take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making
corrections.
Sharing Information and Consumer Choice
When you provide information to us, we may share your information, to the extent provided by
applicable law, with our affiliated companies and third parties for the purpose of fulfilling your
requests as well as offering you other services that may be of interest to you. It is not shared with
any third party, unless requested by you or permitted by law. Under no circumstance will we sell
your information or transfer your information to any ad network, ad exchange, data broker or other
advertising or monetization related service. We may also aggregate statistics that we gather about
our customers, sales, traffic patterns and services, and provide these statistics to third parties;
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however, when we do, these statistics will not include any personal information that identifies
individuals.
Regulation S-AM
Under Regulation S-AM, a registered investment adviser is prohibited from using eligibility
information that it receives from an affiliate to make a marketing solicitation unless: (1) the
potential marketing use of that information has been clearly, conspicuously and concisely
disclosed to the consumer; (2) the consumer has been provided a reasonable opportunity and a
simple method to opt out of receiving the marketing solicitations; and (3) the consumer has not
opted out. Highline Wealth Partners does not receive information regarding marketing eligibility
from affiliates to make solicitations.
Opt-Out Provisions
Highline does not sell clients’ nonpublic personal and financial information. Highline does not
share nonpublic personal and financial information with affiliated or unaffiliated third parties
except under the circumstances noted above. Since sharing under the circumstances noted above
is necessary to service client accounts or is mandated by law, there are no allowances made for
clients to “opt out”.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to modify or supplement this Privacy Policy statement at any time. If we make
any material changes, we will update our website to include such changes. A notice that our privacy
policy has been updated will be displayed on our website homepage. We ask that you periodically
visit our website and this privacy policy to check for any changes.
Contact Information
If you decide to close your account(s) or become an inactive customer, we will adhere to the
privacy policies and practices as described in Item 19 of this Disclosure Brochure. We reserve the
right to change this policy at any time and you will be notified if any changes do occur.
If you have any questions after reading this Privacy Policy, please contact our Chief Compliance
Officer, Lisa Sternberg, at lisa@highlinewp.com, by phone at (818) 340-0157, or by writing to the
address on the cover page of this Disclosure Brochure.
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Highline Wealth Partners, LLC
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan – Client Disclosure Notice
Highline maintains a written Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan to safeguard client
data and other information and records from significant business disruptions such as data breaches,
natural disasters, and varying other unforeseen circumstances.
We plan to quickly recover and resume business operations after a significant business disruption
and respond by safeguarding our employees and property, making a financial and operational
assessment, and protecting the firm’s books and records. In short, our disaster recovery and
business continuity plan is designed to resume operations from a business disruption as quickly
as possible, given the scope and severity of the significant business disruption.
Our Plan addresses:
● Cyber‐attacks, data backup and recovery; all mission critical systems;
● financial and operational assessments;
● alternative communications with clients, employees, and regulators;
● alternate physical location of employees;
● critical supplier, contractor, bank and counter‐party impact;
● regulatory reporting, when necessary;
●
training of all Highline employees,
●
testing our Plan on an annual basis, at a minimum, and
● assuring our contacts have prompt communications with Highline personnel.
While every emergency situation may pose unique challenges based on external factors, such as
time of day and the severity of the disruption, we have been advised and assured by our custodial
firms that their objectives are to restore operations within the same business day.
You can access our full BCP Client Notice on our website, www.highlinewp.com.
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