Client portability
Agreements, state law, firm policy, and Protocol participation shape what can be communicated, when, and to whom.
For wirehouse advisors considering independence
Your practice deserves a private strategy.
Independence is not simply a destination. It is a sequence of decisions about clients, control, economics, and risk—best made before the transition is in motion.
Transition briefing01 / 05
The question is not
“Can I leave?”
It is: what must be true for your clients and practice to arrive well?
G Gershman Group
The landscape, without shorthand
A move can create more room to build. It also asks more of the builder.
A thoughtful transition holds both realities at once: greater agency over the client experience and your enterprise, alongside the added responsibility of operating it. The work is to see the tradeoffs clearly—not to sell past them.
Five areas that deserve careful attention
Due diligence is an act of client care.
Every practice has a different set of facts. These are the discussions that help separate an appealing narrative from an executable plan.
The economic picture
Gross payout is only one line. Model transition support, recurring costs, tax considerations, and the runway to your intended operating model.
Your operating architecture
Custody, technology, investment support, supervision, service, and brand become choices you make—not defaults handed down.
Ownership and enterprise value
A business built around your philosophy may create an asset you can shape, grow, and one day transfer—subject to its structure and performance.
The choreography
A measured plan anticipates client needs, team roles, conversion steps, and moments where a disciplined pause is wiser than speed.
The ownership equationMore say.
More say.
More to steward.
Autonomy can be powerful when it is paired with an operating model that fits the way you want to serve.
What you may gain
- Control over platform and partners
- A client experience of your design
- A distinct market identity
- Potential enterprise value
What you must carry
- Compliance and supervisory detail
- Operating and technology costs
- Business continuity decisions
- More direct risk ownership
A place to start
Ask the questions you cannot ask in a crowded room.
Our transition briefing helps you frame the considerations behind a possible move. It is designed for discretion, not a hard sell.
General educational information only. Not legal, tax, investment, or compliance advice.
Gershman transition briefingAvailable
Choose a prompt or bring your own transition question.
Common considerations
A clear-eyed first read.
These answers are intended to orient your thinking. Your facts—and the advice of qualified professionals—should guide any decision.
When the time is right
Make the next decision from a position of clarity.
Begin with a quiet conversation about the practice you have, the business you want, and the path between them.
Speak with our team