My Story and Services

Phil is a Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager Director at Morgan Stanley. He has been with the firm for over 30 years and his primary focus is to make a positive impact on his clients’ lives.

Phil takes a personal and custom approach to wealth management. His clients are financially successful individuals, multi-generational families, and business owners. He has extensive experience managing discretionary -equity based portfolios, designing and implementing both taxable and tax free income portfolios, and integrating complex executive compensation and stock options strategy. His goal based approach always starts first with a personalized financial plan and is followed by an investment strategy framework that is custom to a client’s objectives.

His path first began in 1990 as an intern in the London office of Shearson Lehmann Hutton (a Morgan Stanley predecessor firm). After graduating from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, he began his financial advisory career in the San Francisco Bay Area. He lives in the South Bay with his wife, Kirsten, their three children, two dogs and two cats. He enjoys playing competitive adult soccer, surfing, fly fishing, skiing and traveling.
Services Include
Securities Agent: PA, AL, VA, CO, TN, MO, GA, WI, FL, UT, WY, NH, ID, RI, NC, IN, OH, SC, OR, LA, AZ, VT, OK, WA, MS, NY, CA, NJ, IL, HI, KS, TX, MD, MT, AR, KY, MI, ME, AK, MN, NV, NM, MA, CT; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative
NMLS#: 1278600
CA Insurance License #: 0B24095
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*
- Bachelors of Science, Business Finance, California State University Chico
- CA Insurance LIC.#0B24095
- Series 7, 63 & 65
    1991 - present; Morgan Stanley*

      Honors & Recognition

      - Senior Portfolio Management Director
      - Morgan Stanley Presidents Club

        Location

        225 W Santa Clara St
        Suite 900
        San Jose, CA 95113
        US
        Direct:
        (408) 947-2216(408) 947-2216
        Toll-Free:
        (800) 444-4752(800) 444-4752
        Fax:
        (408) 947-2208(408) 947-2208

        Meet My Team

        About Leslie Figone

        Leslie joined Morgan Stanly through predecessor firms in 2003, beginning her career as a Branch Manager’s Assistant. Prior to joining Phil Cunningham's team, Leslie gained extensive financial services experience and communication skills while working with senior management in several different management roles. During her tenure, Leslie has developed professionally, having passed the Series 7, 63 and 65 examinations and promoted to Portfolio Associate.

        Leslie aptly combines an outgoing personality with a wonderful attitude and her experience in her daily client interactions. She has dedicated her time to building strong client relationships, understanding client needs, and continues to educate herself to better serve our clients.

        Leslie is a Bay Area native and enjoys outdoors sports, volunteering, spending time with her family and the spirit within her community. She and her husband, John, have two young daughters and live in San Jose.
        Wealth Management
        Global Investment Office

        Portfolio Insights

        Investing

        Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
        • Asset Management
        • Wealth Planning
        • Traditional Investments
        • Alternative Investments
        • Impact Investing
        2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth
        Article Image

        2025 Global Economic Outlook: U.S. Policies May Temper Global Growth

        Global growth is likely to be around 3% in 2025 and 2026, as tariff and immigration policies begin to slow the U.S. economy late next year, and China's underperformance restrains emerging markets.

        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
        Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse
        Article Image

        Taking Control of Your Finances After Death of a Spouse

        Financial planning after a divorce or death can be trying, but with the right approach and the right advice you can turn a difficult situation into empowerment.

        Retirement

        Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
        • 401(k) Rollovers
        • IRA Plans
        • Retirement income strategies
        • Retirement plan participants
        • Annuities
        4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts
        Article Image

        4 Financially Smart Ways to Take Money Out of Retirement Accounts

        Discover how planning for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts can help you fund future needs and support loved ones.

        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
        Article Image

        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.
        Ready to start a conversation? Contact Philip J. Cunningham today.
        1Morgan 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.

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

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        2When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals 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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        3Morgan 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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        4Morgan 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 Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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        6When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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        7Fixed Income investing entails credit risks and interest rate risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.

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        8Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

        Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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        9Morgan 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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        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.

        Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame 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
        CRC 6491812 (04/2024)