Welcome to Jacobs Wealth Management Group

Helping you achieve financial success is our first priority. The Jacobs Wealth Management Group has meaningful intelligence about every major asset class as well as investment research from some of the world’s most respected analysts. Together, we will formulate a strategy to help you achieve your most important goals.
Awards
  • Jacobs Wealth Management Group - Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2025
  • Evan R. Jacobs - Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2024
  • Jacobs Wealth Management Group - Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2024
  • Evan R. Jacobs - Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2023
  • Evan R. Jacobs - Forbes Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors 2022
  • Evan R. Jacobs - Forbes Best-In-State Next-Gen Wealth Advisors 2019
  • Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2024) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/22-6/30/23.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

Goals-Based Wealth Management

Our approach to wealth planning focuses on what is most meaningful to you. Whether meeting with you for the first time or reviewing your progress and life goals, this is our priority.

Leveraging our vast resources—including intellectual capital, experience and dedicated personal service—we can work with you to create a personalized wealth strategy. Our 4-step approach to Wealth Management is formal, yet flexible. Over time, we can adapt to changing circumstances while helping you achieve—and protect—your goals.
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    Step 1: Discover
    Our relationship begins with a thorough understanding of you - your needs, your lifestyle and family, and your goals for the future. We learn about the values that shape your decisions and identify unique circumstances.
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    Step 2: Create
    In this step, we utilize proprietary financial planning tools to develop a personalized and detailed plan to help you achieve and protect the outcomes you envision.
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    Step 3: Act
    Here, we’ll present a comprehensive set of recommendations designed to achieve your goals. Upon your approval, we’ll set into motion a course of action that strives to align your investments with your values and vision.
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    Step 4: Adjust
    Achieving your goals requires vigilance and flexibility. We will help you monitor your progress and make adjustments as life evolves, markets and tax laws shift, and priority changes.

Business Owners & Executives

Managing family wealth is like running a company—you need a strategy to help manage assets and mitigate risks. Bridging the gap between individual wealth and investment management services, we work with owners and founders striving to accelerate growth and develop comprehensive succession plans. We can help you navigate the process by leveraging some of the top research and investment management resources in the industry backed by the resources of Morgan Stanley
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    Transaction of a Lifetime
    Creating and growing a successful business is seldom just about money, nor is the decision to exit the business. Whether that exit is through IPO, merger with another company, private sale, or succession within the family, the process is intense, the details are complex, and the decisions are often an unexpected combination of personal and financial needs. Morgan Stanley has been helping business owners like you bring clarity and confidence to what is typically a once-in-a-lifetime event.
    The Transaction of a Lifetime
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    Planning for the Unplanned
    Events such as death, disability, or retirement of a business owner don't have to mean the end of a successful business. Succession planning can provide for an orderly transition of ownership and business management during lifetime or at death. There are various options for structing and funding buy-sell agreements, key employee needs, and other executive benefits programs.
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    Morgan Stanley at Work
    Our mission is to help your company elevate your workplace financial benefits—helping you to attract and retain top talent. Our end-to-end solutions support your company and employees at any stage of growth through a powerful combination of modern technology, insightful guidance, and dedicated service.
    Morgan Stanley at Work
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    Alternative Investments
    Specialized investment teams leverage the strength of Morgan Stanley to provide clients with a diverse range of alternative investment strategies, when appropriate. Learn More.
    Alternative Investments

UHNW Investor Resources

Planning for your family's needs
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    Family Office Resources
    When it comes to providing institutional-level support for your family office, scale matters. Our offering aims to bring together dedicated investment services and operational support to help enhance your life and legacy.
    Morgan Stanley Family Office Resources
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    Tax-Efficient Charitable Giving Strategies
    If you’re inclined to help others, consider these ways to make your giving go further.
    Tax-Savvy Ways to Give
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    Reserved Living & Giving
    Reserved Living & Giving is a complimentary perks program for eligible Morgan Stanley and E*TRADE clients, designed to provide benefits beyond traditional wealth management services. The program provides access to discounts from popular brands, one-of-a-kind experiences and sought-after events.
    Morgan Stanley Reserved Living & Giving
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    The Growing Opportunity in Private Markets
    Companies are spending more time under private ownership and creating more value for private shareholders in the process.
    The Growing Opportunity in Private Markets

Awards & Designations

Throughout our careers, we have been honored to receive a number of prominent awards and designations from both national and industry sources. We are proud of these achievements – not just for their own sake, but because we believe they show how committed we are to our clients in helping them achieve their financial goals.
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    FWD - Family Wealth Director (Evan R. Jacobs)
    The Family Wealth Director designation within Morgan Stanley is awarded to a highly trained group of select Financial Advisors serving high-net-worth (HNW) clientele facing more complex wealth management challenges. Family Wealth Directors within Morgan Stanley have extensive experience, rigorous training and the resources to help address planning for ultra-high net worth families in the areas of wealth transfer, business succession planning, asset preservation strategies, family governance and wealth education.
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    CFP® - CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (Michael W. Reilly)
    The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation is awarded to candidates who have demonstrated extensive knowledge in financial planning strategies. The CFP® certification process, administered by CFP Board, identifies to the public that those individuals who have been authorized to use the CFP® certification marks in the U.S. have met rigorous professional standards and have agreed to adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients.


    CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® , and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S.
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    CPM® - Certified Portfolio Manager (Evan R. Jacobs)
    The Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM®) designation is a collaboration of the Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers and Columbia University. The academic component is designed to provide a deeper understanding of fundamental security analysis, asset allocation, and portfolio management concepts for financial services industry professionals managing discretionary portfolios encompassing equity and fixed income analysis, and portfolio management.
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    CEPA® - Certified Exit Planning Advisor (Michael W. Reilly)
    The CEPA® credential is for financial advisors who want to engage more business owners. This credential provides the advisor the knowledge to work with business owners and have conversations that can add potential value around the topics of exit planning
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    2024-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
    2024-2025 - The Jacobs Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley Named to Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams.

    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award. Awards Disclosure : https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/
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    2023-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
    Evan R. Jacobs Named to Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2023-2025.

    Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2023-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.

Location

1100 Poydras St
Ste 1900
New Orleans, LA 70163
US
Direct:
(504) 585-3903(504) 585-3903

Meet Jacobs Wealth Management Group

About Evan R. Jacobs

Evan R. Jacobs, CPM®
Family Wealth Director
Senior Portfolio Management Director
Financial Advisor
Lending Specialist

Evan Jacobs is a Financial Advisor and the founding partner of Jacobs Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley. Evan moved to New Orleans in 2001 to attend Tulane University, where he graduated from the A.B. Freeman School of Business. In his pursuit of excellence in portfolio construction and management, Evan earned the Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM®) designation. In 2021, Evan was selected for Morgan Stanley’s Family Wealth Director (FWD) program based on his extensive experience working with ultra-high net worth families. By completing the rigorous program, Evan joined a select group of only 4% of Morgan Stanley advisors with specialized training to help families address the complex challenges of managing significant wealth.

In both 2023 and 2024, Evan was named one of Forbes’ Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for Louisiana. In 2024 and 2025, Jacobs Wealth Management Group was named one of Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams. Evan and his wife, Lisa, have two sons and enjoy sports and the food and music culture of New Orleans.

Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2023). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/21-6/30/22.

Source: Forbes.com (Awarded April 2024). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/22-6/30/23.

Award Disclosures - https://www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/awards-disclosure/
Securities Agent: DC, DE, AK, MN, LA, IN, VA, TN, PA, WA, MT, IL, GA, FL, NV, CA, OR, AL, WV, MD, NC, MS, KY, CO, AR, ID, NY, TX, SC, NJ, NE, MA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 510744

About Michael W. Reilly

Michael W. Reilly, CFP®, CEPA®
Portfolio Manager
Vice President
Financial Advisor

Michael W. Reilly is a Financial Advisor with Jacobs Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley. Michael is originally from Bergen County, New Jersey and attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut where he pursued a degree in Economics and played four years of varsity football. He has worked in wealth management since moving to New Orleans in 2015. Michael joined Jacobs Wealth Management Group in a business development role specifically focused on high-net-worth families and business owners. In 2025, Michael received the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, which expands his ability to provide clients with comprehensive financial planning, personalized wealth management strategies, and tailored guidance on investment and wealth planning needs. In 2023, Michael received the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) designation, expanding his ability to assist business owners strive to build more valuable companies, have stronger personal financial plans, and align their personal goals. Michael enjoys playing golf and is an avid football and basketball fan.

NMLS #: 2266302
Securities Agent: NV, NJ, IL, FL, AR, WV, VA, ID, CO, AK, NE, MD, TX, DE, TN, SC, PA, MA, IN, GA, MT, MS, MN, LA, KY, AL, WA, NC, CA, NY, DC, OR; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 2266302

About Susan Battistella

Susan R. Battistella
Senior Registered Associate

Susan received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans in 1987 and began her career with the firm in 1988. She received her securities licenses (Series 7 & 63) shortly thereafter, along with her designation as a Senior Registered Associate. Susan is considered an office team leader and is well respected by her peers and supervisors. She was invited to attend the firm's World Class Service Program where she received recognition for her excellence in providing world class client service. She is an integral part of Jacobs Wealth Management Group and is the point of service contact for all administrative and account servicing requests. She is married, enjoys many outdoor activities, and is an avid Chinese Pug owner.

Awards and Recognition

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams
2024-2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2024-2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

Business Planning

Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
  • Succession Planning
  • Business Planning
  • Qualified Retirement Plans
Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

Philanthropy

Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
  • Endowments
  • Foundations
  • Donor Advised Funds
  • Impact Investing
Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.

Family

Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
  • Estate Planning Strategies
  • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Special Needs Planning
  • Trust Services
529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

Financial Wellness

Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
  • Reduce employee stress,
  • Improve retention and engagement, and
  • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact Jacobs Wealth Management Group today.
Market Information Delayed 20 Minutes
CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

1Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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2Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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3Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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5Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please consult with your Financial Advisor to understand these differences or review our Understanding Your Brokerage and Investment Advisory Relationships brochure available at www.morganstanley.com/wealth-relationshipwithms/pdfs/understandingyourrelationship.pdf.

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6Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.

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7Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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8Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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9Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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10Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

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Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

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The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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*References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

CFP Board owns the marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney.  The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley
CRC 4665150 (8/2025)