James Kennedy
Financial Advisor, Senior Portfolio Manager
Phone:
(212) 883-8550(212) 883-8550
James Kennedy
Senior Vice President,
Financial Advisor,
Senior Portfolio Manager,
Portfolio Management Director
Direct:
(212) 883-8550(212) 883-8550
Toll-Free:
(800) 733-4793(800) 733-4793
My Mission Statement
Backed by an exceptional team supported by the full scope of Morgan Stanley our goal is to help an elite group of Affluent families address virtually every aspect of their financial lives.
We tailor highly customized strategies based on each client’s specific needs and aspirations. This in addition to providing white glove service and communication.
We tailor highly customized strategies based on each client’s specific needs and aspirations. This in addition to providing white glove service and communication.
My Story
Jim has been a Financial Advisor for over 20 years, focusing on creating highly customized financial plans. As a Senior Portfolio Manager, he’s able to tap into the firm’s global resources and still deliver a boutique level of service to our clients.
Jim’s personalized approach to Wealth Management ensures that investments and advice are properly tailored to every individual’s specific needs and goals. Whether it’s strategic lending or retirement planning, he has a keen ability to finding solutions that can mitigate tax burdens and help clients feel more confident about the future.
One of the niche services that Jim provides is working with exonerees who have been wrongly incarcerated. Jim devotes a lot of his time outside the office to providing a financial education to this overlooked population, as well as helping them manage and preserve any compensation they receive.
After graduating the College of Charleston, Jim began his career at Merrill Lynch before joining UBS as a Senior Wealth Advisor. Jim lives in Ridgewood New Jersey with his wife Melissa. He loves all things outdoors, including fly fishing and hiking. In fact, Jim has not only hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, he and some friends discovered a plane crash off a path and as a result, saved the pilot’s life. Jim maintains his Series 7, 66, 31, Life and Health Insurance License.
Jim’s personalized approach to Wealth Management ensures that investments and advice are properly tailored to every individual’s specific needs and goals. Whether it’s strategic lending or retirement planning, he has a keen ability to finding solutions that can mitigate tax burdens and help clients feel more confident about the future.
One of the niche services that Jim provides is working with exonerees who have been wrongly incarcerated. Jim devotes a lot of his time outside the office to providing a financial education to this overlooked population, as well as helping them manage and preserve any compensation they receive.
After graduating the College of Charleston, Jim began his career at Merrill Lynch before joining UBS as a Senior Wealth Advisor. Jim lives in Ridgewood New Jersey with his wife Melissa. He loves all things outdoors, including fly fishing and hiking. In fact, Jim has not only hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, he and some friends discovered a plane crash off a path and as a result, saved the pilot’s life. Jim maintains his Series 7, 66, 31, Life and Health Insurance License.
Securities Agent: AZ, WY, RI, NJ, MT, VA, TX, PA, NH, MN, ME, SD, OH, DE, DC, CA, MD, CT, NC, MI, MA, FL, WI, TN, GA, CO, VT, SC, AR, NY, NM; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1944100
NMLS#: 1944100
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
Working With You
Our process focuses on getting to know you as a person, clarifying your financial goals and molding our services to fit what you need. We will guide you through each step of the process, and are always available for questions about how your plan is doing, and how to make it better.
1. Initial Meeting
Our first meeting is where we determine how well we would fit as your financial advisor, and you as our client. We want to make sure you are paired with the best team to help you to reach your financial goals, so it is crucial that we establish a strong relationship from the start.
2. Setting your Goals
Once we've determined that we are the right advisors for you the questions becomes, "What are your goals?" Whether it's retiring comfortably, buying a house, selling your business, or just accumulating wealth, we will work together to examine your current financial situation and develop a target that is achievable and important to you.
3. Creating Your Strategy
From those goals, we can create a plan that contains specific strategies designed to help you reach your targets. Through our years of experience we have developed numerous, proven strategies encompassing issues such as retirement planning, estate planning, tax minimization potential, and wealth transfer, but we still remain focused on customizing our approach to each client we work with.
4. Implementing your strategy
After discussing and refining your strategy, we will work closely with you to bring it to life. Using our firm tools we will assess logistics, tax impact, asset allocation adjustments, and saving/ benefit modifications to make sure we are best equipped to keep your plan on track.
5. Review
Ongoing communication is the foundation of successful collaboration. We will make sure you are kept up to date on your financial progress and will revise your strategy as circumstances change. This means maintaining a constant communication with you to make sure your concerns and request are always addressed.
Get Started!
To start working with us, please reach out via email by clicking the mail icon on the home page, clicking the "Contact Me" button on the home page, or sending an email to james.kennedy@morganstanley.com
Upcoming Firm Events
The Lessons in Leadership Virtual Event Series will continue throughout 2025.
Check back soon for details on upcoming events.
Wealth Management and Investor Resources
Morgan Stanley's comprehensive suite of digital resources has carefully been designed to help enhance each aspect of your financial portfolio. Take some time to learn about some of the many Modern Wealth Management resources that we offer to our clients.
Morgan Stanley Online
Your investments and everyday finances are always just a few clicks away with Morgan Stanley Online (MSO) and the Morgan Stanley mobile app! Access your finances and invest in an instant with the help of this hand resource that is available 24/7.
Total Wealth View
Complete your financial profile with Total Wealth View. By linking your external account information, you will benefit from more educated and holistic wealth planning, and convenient connectivity.
MS Reserved
Reserved Living & Giving is a tiered complimentary loyalty program that rewards clients with over one million dollars in assets and liabilities invested at the firm. The program is designed to enhance your lifestyle and relationship with the firm beyond traditional wealth management services.
Portfolio Risk Platform
Morgan Stanley's Portfolio Risk Platform is powered by BlackRock's Aladdin risk engine, a state of the art, innovative risk engine used by several of the world's largest institutional asset managers, providing you with comprehensive risk analytics and a sophisticated view of the risk/ return dichotomy across your financial portfolios. This helpful tool can assist you in making educated investment decisions with increased confidence.
Digital Vault
Keeping important documents and financial records organized and readily available is one of the best gifts you can give those you love. In the event of catastrophe or serious illness, disability or death, your Family Records Organizer can immediately provide vital, timely information to both your family and professional advisors. The Digital Vault on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App allows you and your clients to build a central, shared document library where all documents are stored using encryption.
Location
55 East 52nd Street 10th
Fl
New York, NY 10055
US
Direct:
(212) 883-8550(212) 883-8550
Toll-Free:
(800) 733-4793(800) 733-4793
Meet My Team
Sunny Krishnani, CRPC
Assistant Vice President, Business Development Director
Phone:
(212) 649-8595(212) 649-8595
About James Kennedy
Jim has been on Wall Street as a Wealth Advisor for over 20 years. After graduating the College of Charleston he joined Merrill Lynch and then UBS as a Senior Wealth Advisor. Jim prides himself on the Kennedy Group’s approach to Wealth Management; believing that every client is unique and that it takes skill and experience to help ensure that investments are properly tailored to each client.
Jim lives in Ridgewood New Jersey, and when he’s not serving his clients, he can be found fly fishing, hiking and all things outdoors.
Jim lives in Ridgewood New Jersey, and when he’s not serving his clients, he can be found fly fishing, hiking and all things outdoors.
Securities Agent: AZ, WY, RI, NJ, MT, VA, TX, PA, NH, MN, ME, SD, OH, DE, DC, CA, MD, CT, NC, MI, MA, FL, WI, TN, GA, CO, VT, SC, AR, NY, NM; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
About Sunny Krishnani
Sunny ensures that each client receives the best possible service. When clients have questions about their account or administrative matters, Sunny gets answers promptly. He makes sure that the appropriate member of our team responds to each query in a timely fashion. Thanks to Sunny, clients will have access to our high-quality equity managers, fixed income strategists, and alternative investment platforms.
Sunny was born in Queens and raised in Long Island NY. He attended Baruch College with majors in Finance and Investments where he graduated in the top 5% of the Macaulay Honors Program in 2010. Sunny has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management for over eleven years. He is also a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and holds his Series 7, 66, 31, 3, Life and Health Insurance Licenses, and CRPC. He lives in Long Island and enjoys hiking, traveling and sports.
Sunny was born in Queens and raised in Long Island NY. He attended Baruch College with majors in Finance and Investments where he graduated in the top 5% of the Macaulay Honors Program in 2010. Sunny has been with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management for over eleven years. He is also a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and holds his Series 7, 66, 31, 3, Life and Health Insurance Licenses, and CRPC. He lives in Long Island and enjoys hiking, traveling and sports.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office
Portfolio Insights
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Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
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Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
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Ready to start a conversation? Contact James Kennedy today.
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.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
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.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*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
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.
Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.
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.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.
The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
*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)
