

The Equitas Group at Morgan Stanley

Our Mission Statement
Our Story and Services
Who We Are
The Equitas Group helps clients in Los Angeles and across the country achieve financial success through careful planning and guidance. We are a team of three advisors and two support staff with over 140 years of combined experience in wealth management. Over time, we have developed close ties to the community and fostered long lasting relationships that span multiple generations.
What We Do
We believe financial planning is not a one-size-fits-all solution. That's why we take the time to understand your individual needs, aspirations, and risk tolerance. Whether you're planning for retirement, savings for your child's education, or just managing your investments, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
We work with clients from multiple industries. Our two senior advisors, Tom and Bruce, work with clients that work in a variety of sectors while, our newest addition to the team, Chris, works primarily with clients in tech. This experience helps us to position the correct solutions and strategies to navigate the unique complexities of each industry.
Our Philosophy
At the core of our business is a foundation of trust, empathy, and communication. We believe that financial success is not just about numbers; it's about people. Our goal is to create meaningful relationships with our clients and truly get to know you and your family. We aim to instill a relationship not based on transaction, but on a shared desire for your overall well-being.
Contact Us
If you're ready to take control of your financial future, reach out to us today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you navigate the complexities of your finances and achieve your goals.
- Wealth ManagementFootnote1
- Retirement PlanningFootnote2
- Donor Advised Funds
- Alternative InvestmentsFootnote3
- LGBT+ Planning ServicesFootnote4
- Long-term Care InsuranceFootnote5
- 401(k) Rollovers
- Trust ServicesFootnote6
- Business PlanningFootnote7
- Wealth PlanningFootnote8
- UGMA/UTMAFootnote9
- Trust AccountsFootnote10
- Planning for Education FundingFootnote11
Equity Compensation

Equity Compensation can be a significant part of your compensation package and understanding how your stock option plan works is the first step. Our clients turn to us with questions about their equity compensation and how it can play a big role in reaching their financial ambitions. We believe in educating our clients and walking them through their options that best align with their goals.
As your career evolves so will your compensation structure. We provide a wide variety of services to help manage your equity compensation and integrate your equity award into your broader financial plan. Whether it is a need for short term liquidity or long-term diversification we work alongside you to leverage your equity compensation to enhance your financial picture.
We work hard to help you navigate the tax and legal considerations associated with your specific equity awards. From RSUs to vested units, we answer client questions about the best approach to implementing their equity awards to better supplement their financial plan.
Taxes Matter. So Does Planning.
Sound investment advice is only the first step in a financial plan. We believe in taking a holistic approach to your finances and taking into consideration the tax implications of your portfolio can help maximize returns.
With the use of Morgan Stanley's Total Tax 365 platform. we implement tax-efficient investing strategies on the foundation of three core ideas - Tax-Loss Harvesting, Tax-Smart Planning, and Tax-Smart Gifting. Implementing a tax efficient strategy can help you keep more of the wealth you worked hard to build.
- Direct Indexing
- Tax Loss Harvesting
- Exchange Funds
- Municipal Solutions
- Mutual Fund Distributions
- Charitable Giving
- Tax Smart Withdrawals
Location
Meet The Equitas Group
About Bruce Attig
I am happily married to my wife, Lynn, and we have two adult married children. Most of our time is spent in Redondo Beach, but I also manage a small cattle ranch on California’s Central Coast. The ranch has been beneficial to the longevity of an investment management career because it allows me to be regularly refreshed and grounded through my agricultural roots.
NMLS#: 1255433
About Thomas Kleinhen
Outside of the office, my wife Lisa and I enjoy traveling with friends and family. Some of our favorite spots are New Hampshire & Vermont; Maui; Florence, Italy; Adelaide, Australia (where Lisa’s family lives), and beautiful Sacramento, where our two adorable grandchildren live. We have recently started playing golf on a regular basis, but we don’t take it too seriously.
NMLS#: 1370420
About Chris Kleinhen
I love to travel and explore new cultures when I’m not at work. Wanderlust is baked into my DNA – I was born in Melbourne, Australia and as a dual citizen I’ve always been fascinated by experiencing new cultures. Over the past few years, I hiked the “O” trek in Patagonia, lived in a salsa dancing studio in Colombia, explored deep into the Amazon rainforest and spent time at a yoga Ashram. I continue to be a yoga and meditation teacher and a salsa and bachata enthusiast. And, as a fluent Spanish speaker, I enjoy connecting with people from all walks of life.
NMLS#: 2331713
About Narine Butler
I moved to the United States when I was 7 years old from Sochi. My first languages are Russian and Armenian, though you would never know it! When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, two boys and dog JoJo at our home in Hermosa Beach. My kids play lacrosse, so I often find myself traveling to fun tournaments around the country.
About Nina McCoy
I have been married to my husband Raymie for 25 years and we own a 100-year-old home that we love. We are big Country Western Dancers and we love to travel when we can. We have two fur babies we adore and love our community.

Contact Bruce Attig

Contact Thomas Kleinhen

Contact Chris Kleinhen
The Power of Partnerships
About Megan Cornille
Private Bankers partner with Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Megan began her career in financial services in 2010, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2016 as an Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Private Client Banker at JP Morgan Chase. She also served as a Personal Banker at U.S. Bank.
Megan is a graduate of the University of California - Irvine, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology. She lives in Torrance, California with her family. Outside of the office, Megan enjoys running, traveling with her family and volunteering at her son’s school.
About Joy Quiza
Associate Private Bankers partner with Private Bankers and Financial Advisors to develop a specialized approach for managing clients’ cash flow, liquidity and financing needs, leveraging our comprehensive suite of cash management and lending solutions.
Joy began her career in financial services in 2007, and joined Morgan Stanley in 2021 as a Associate Private Banker. Prior to joining the firm, she was a Premier Banker II at Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Joy is a graduate of Centro Escolar University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication. She lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband. Joy is the founder of Alexis Louise Quiza (ALQ) Children’s Foundation, and past president of the Filipino American Business Association of Glendale – Greater Los Angeles from 2018-2019. Outside of the office, Joy volunteers in various community events serving the AAPI community. She and her husband love to travel and enjoy the joy their daughter and three dogs bring in their lives.
About Molly Sakahara
Molly began her career in financial services in 1999 and joined Morgan Stanley in 2015. Prior to her current position, she held positions in wealth management and private banking with an emphasis on helping individuals achieve long term life goals and understanding client’s value system in relation to their wealth.
Molly graduated from UCLA and holds her Certified Financial Planner® designation, California insurance state licensing, and Series 7 and 65. She currently resides in South Pasadena, California with her spouse and two children. Outside of work, she is a squash coach at PlayLA, a committee volunteer with UCLA Chancellor’s Society, is the founder and administrator of Buy Nothing Group for her local city, and serves on the Board of Directors for SoCal Squash Association.
Portfolio Insights
Retirement
- 401(k) Rollovers
- IRA Plans
- Retirement income strategies
- Retirement plan participants
- Annuities
Investing
- Asset Management
- Wealth Planning
- Traditional Investments
- Alternative Investments
- Impact Investing
Family
- Estate Planning Strategies
- 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Special Needs Planning
- Trust Services
Business Planning
- Succession Planning
- Business Planning
- Qualified Retirement Plans
Philanthropy
- Endowments
- Foundations
- Donor Advised Funds
- Impact Investing
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.
3Alternative 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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6Morgan 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.
7Morgan 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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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.
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 and other legal matters.
10Morgan 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.
11When 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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