Kelly Milligan vs. Merrill Lynch: A Fight for Rights in Deferred Compensation

Milligan, a former broker with over two decades at Merrill Lynch, alleges that the firm illegally withheld $500,000 of his deferred compensation after he left to join an independent broker-dealer. Central to the lawsuit is the argument that Merrill Lynch’s deferred compensation plan should be governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), which includes provisions against such forfeiture. This case highlights a significant tension in the financial sector between employer compensation strategies and the rights of employees under federal law.

Why Do Advisors Continue to Leave Merrill Lynch?

Advisors are fleeing Merrill Lynch in unprecedented numbers, a trend closely tracked by The Gershman Group through a dedicated portal. This article aims to provide a comprehensive update on this exodus. Bank of America’s CEO, Brian Moynihan, consistently rebukes the Global Wealth division, branding it the “least efficient” within the firm, a sentiment he echoes every quarter. Co-presidents…

Why Are So Many Advisors Leaving Merrill Lynch

Meet Roger: Having spent twenty-five years himself as a financial advisor at Hambrecht & Quist, UBS PWM, and Credit Suisse, Mr. Gershman brings a unique perspective to the recruiting and consulting world of financial advisors. With this real-life experience, he now runs the family consulting firm his father founded 40 years ago who also was…