Our Story and Services

At the heart of our practice is a simple belief: clients deserve the best of both worlds – deep market insight and a relationship grounded in communication and reliability.

With decades of combined experience navigating complex financial markets, Mark and John provide strategies grounded in knowledge, discipline, and perspective. But what truly sets us apart is the way we connect – with individuals, families, and generations.

Our clients are at the center of it all – like the overlap in a Venn diagram – they benefit from the combined strengths of Mark and John’s distinct approaches. The team ensures that clients get the best of both our expertise: Objective research-based investment selection and long-term, disciplined, tax-efficient planning.

The warmth of long-standing relationships explains why so many clients have been with us not just for years, but for decades. Whether you’re planning for retirement, need help managing your cash and fixed income or seeking clarity during uncertain markets from experienced professionals, we’re here to guide you through life’s financial decisions – with confidence, care, and commitment.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

PROTECT WHAT YOU’VE WORKED HARD TO ACHIEVE

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Discussing end-of-life plans and the future of your assets can be difficult – especially with family. But careful planning can ease the burden during an emotional time and help ensure your wishes are carried out. The resource below is a good place to begin.

Tax, Trust and Estate Planning Overview

PLANNING THAT FITS YOU

Our approach to wealth management starts with what matters most: your goals, your values, and your vision for the future. We take a comprehensive and holistic view of your financial life – investments, cash flow, and everything in between – to ensure all the pieces work together seamlessly. Using advanced planning tools and a collaborative process, we help you build a personalized, practical strategy to support every step of your financial journey.

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    LifeView - Intelligent Planning

    LifeView is a powerful suite of planning tools designed to create customized, goal-based strategies. By working closely with you, we help develop an integrated plan that brings together all aspects of your financial life – from investments to cash management – aligned with your long-term vision.

    LifeView Client Profile Form
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    Strategy - Intelligent Withdrawals

    Building wealth is only part of the story. Managing how and when you withdraw assets – especially with taxes in mind – can make a significant difference. That's why we coordinate your entire portfolio to help reduce tax impact and potentially enhance overall investment outcomes.

    View Tax-Aware Strategies Here
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    Cash Management and Lending Services

    Cash is the engine of both business and life. Whether it's managing accounts receivable and payable or ensuring access to liquidity, we help assess your current strategies and offer tailored alternatives to support your needs.

    Learn More About Cash Management Solutions
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    Retirement Planning

    As retirement approaches, we work with you to determine the most effective way to generate income and maintain financial security. Our goal is to help ensure you stay on track to meet your goals – before and after retirement.

    Preparing for Retirement

INVESTOR RESOURCES

We aim to simplify complex financial concepts so clients can feel confident in the strategies guiding their financial future. The links below offer deeper insights into key topics shaping today's financial and business landscape.

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    GIC Weekly Report

    The Global Investment Committee's Lisa Shalett headlines this weekly look at markets, asset class performance, and fixed income.

    Read the Latest Report
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    On The Markets Report

    Detailed market commentary from Morgan Stanley's thought leaders on topics such as global equities, fixed income, monetary policy, and more.

    Read the Latest Report
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    Thoughts on the Market Podcast

    With perspectives on the forces shaping the market, join Mike Wilson as he and his colleagues discuss a variety of viewpoints regarding the latest trends in the financial marketplace.

    Listen to the Latest Episode
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    2025 Tax Tables

    Each year, the tax bill highlights how significantly taxes can impact your journey toward your financial goals. As tax filing deadlines approach, you can prepare for last year's taxes with the updated 2025 tax tables.

    View the 2025 Tax Tables

DIGITAL TOOLS

These comprehensive digital tools are designed to support and simplify every aspect of your financial life. Here are a few of the technologies we offer our clients.

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    Online Security Center

    At Morgan Stanley, safeguarding your assets and personal information is among our highest priorities. Learn about your security measures and use our resources and ideas to help protect yourself online.

    Learn More About Online Security
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    eDelivery

    eDelivery provides you with the ability to view statements and other firm documents electronically in lieu of paper. Clients who are registered in Morgan Stanley Online may enroll in eDelivery.

    Enroll in eDelivery
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    Total Wealth View

    Complete your financial picture with Total Wealth View. By linking your account information, you will benefit from more informed wealth planning, more secure data access, and convenient connectivity.

    Learn More About Total Wealth View
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    Digital Vault

    Digital Vault, available on Morgan Stanley Online and the Mobile App, allows you to build a centralized document library where files are stored using encryption.

    Learn More About Digital Vault

Location

55 East 52nd Street, Floor 14
New York, NY 10055
US
Direct:
(212) 878-3904(212) 878-3904

Meet The LaGratta Mannix Group

About Me

Mark began his career in financial services after graduating from Georgetown University in 1998 with a B.A. He joined Lehman Brothers, where he spent over a decade in investment consulting and portfolio allocation, including five years as a Senior Investment Consultant within Lehman's Portfolio Advisory Group. In 2008, Mark was appointed Senior Investment Officer of the Lehman Brothers Trust Company.

Following Lehman's bankruptcy, Mark became an Investment Representative with Barclays, where he partnered with John Mannix to continue advising individuals, families, and estates on long-term asset allocation and wealth planning. In 2015, Mark and John transitioned their practice to Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, gaining access to an expansive platform of research and investment capabilities. In January 2017, Mark earned the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation.

Most recently, in 2025, Mark joined Morgan Stanley as a Financial Advisor, continuing his mission of delivering strategic wealth management and investment planning to high-net-worth clients. He brings his decades of experience and a disciplined, client-first approach to the firm's deep resources and integrated solutions.

Mark lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and is actively involved in his church and school communities. He has two children, Tessa and Bruno.
Securities Agent: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, NV, NJ, NY, NC, SC, TX, UT, VA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Me

John Mannix began his career in financial services after graduating from Iona University in 1993 with a B.S. He entered the wealth management business in 1994, and in 1999 joined Lehman Brothers as an Investment Representative advising a diverse range of individuals, executives, and middle-market institutional clients. He also played a key role in facilitating capital markets introductions for the investment bank.

Following the acquisition of Lehman Brothers by Barclays in 2008, John became a Director and continued to focus on executive services and wealth planning for both individuals and institutional clients. That same year, he partnered with Mark LaGratta, establishing a collaborative advisory practice built on trust and long-term strategy. In 2015, John and Mark transitioned their business to Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, aligning with a globally recognized platform offering robust resources and research.

In 2025, John joined Morgan Stanley, where he continues to deliver personalized financial guidance and sophisticated investment strategies to clients, backed by the firm's world-class capabilities and client-first culture.

John and his wife Fran live in Larchmont, NY, where he was raised. They have two daughters, Rachael and Jackie. John comes from a large family of eight siblings - including a twin sister - and remains deeply involved in his local community and various charitable organizations.
Securities Agent: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, NV, NJ, NY, NC, SC, TX, UT, VA; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative

About Michael Sofia

Michael Sofia is a Wealth Management Client Service Associate at Morgan Stanley, where he supports The LaGratta Mannix Group in delivering a high-touch client experience. He assists with account opening, ongoing service needs, and operational tasks to ensure the smooth day-to-day management of client relationships. With a strong focus on detail and efficiency, Michael helps maintain the high standards expected by Morgan Stanley clients.

Michael is from Randolph, New Jersey, and graduated from the University of Delaware in 2024 with a double major in Finance and Wealth Management & Financial Planning. While at Delaware, he played hockey and continues to compete in men's leagues today. In his free time, he also enjoys playing golf.
Wealth Management
Global Investment Office

Portfolio Insights

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
A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

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 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration
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2025 Midyear Economic Outlook: A Widespread Deceleration

Global growth is likely to slow in 2025 and 2026 as the shock of higher U.S. tariffs crimps demand around the world.

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.

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.
Ready to start a conversation? Contact The LaGratta Mannix Group today.
1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.

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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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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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 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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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.

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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)